Tag Archives: Religion

Matthew 16- Carry Your Cross

18 Replies

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:24-26

So you think it’s easy to be a Christian? Listen to the words of The Lord Jesus Christ “Deny yourself, carry your cross, and follow me” These are initial commands given by Christ if you want to be His disciple. These commands are in complete opposition to today’s “Christianity”. The false religion of today tells us “Jesus loves you just as you are” while Jesus said “Deny Yourself” meaning repent! Today’s Christianity teaches “health, wealth, and prosperity” but Christ taught “Carry Your Cross”, meaning your life isn’t going to be an easy walk, it’s going to be a walk of persecution, sacrifice, and service for God’s Kingdom

Today’s false religion tells you to “Follow your Heart” but Jesus said to “Follow Him”, if your going to be a Christian, then you need to be a servant of Christ! Jesus said “Whoever will save his life, will lose it, whoever will lose his life, shall find it” These words of Christ tear apart the foundation of false Christianity today. While the Church today worries more about the budget than they care about saving souls!

What does it profit you to gain the whole world and lose your soul? While we live in a world focused on making money and buying possessions, these things will not save your soul from Hell. Most people today don’t even believe in Hell, because their Pastors don’t preach about it and modern day theologians have watered down the concept, but the majority of civilization is headed for eternal torment! Jesus Christ is the only cure, focus on The Lord and not of this world

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. Matthew 16:27-28

When Christ returns , he shall reward everyone according to their works, many today would say you’re a “legalist” or this is “works based salvation”, but these are the words of Jesus Christ. You can’t be a Born Again Christian and just sit on your couch watching people go to Hell, you need to preach the gospel as commanded to us by Christ himself (Matthew 28:19)

Secondly, your “works” doesn’t determine your salvation, it’s the works of Christ that saved you. However if you are Born Again and filled with the Holy Spirit, then there should be fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5, Matthew 7) or evidence of your conversion. Your “works” don’t make you saved but are evidence that you are saved

If you think being a Christians is an easy walk, look at the life of Jesus, look at the life of the Apostles, look at the life of the early Church, our hope and promise is in the resurrection of Christ and God’s eternal Kingdom, Amen!

Matthew 16- Passion of The Christ

1 Reply

From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. Matthew 16:21-23

The Cross of Christ seems like a mystery, even 2,000 years after it happened. The questions of why did Jesus have to die? Why would the Son of God willingly lay down his life? What does this cross mean for us today? These are questions many ponder today and questions the disciples pondered centuries ago, however Jesus already answered these questions before he even went to the cross!

Jesus said “How he (Christ) must go into Jerusalem, suffer many things, be killed, and rise again on the 3rd day” Jesus clearly laid out God’s redemption plan for humanity, however the disciples and many people today, still don’t understand what Jesus did for us! Even when the scriptures foretold in Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22, that the Messiah had to die, the disciples still didn’t understand what Jesus told them

Peter actually rebuked Jesus, think about that! Peter said “Lord , this should not happen to you” Now Peters heart was in the right place, but he didn’t understand God’s redemption plan for humanity, that Christ would pay for the sins for the world so we can be justified before God the Father and inherit eternal life. I fear many today still don’t understand this fact, that Christ is our Passover Lamb, that Jesus paid it all on the cross!

The first step is the understanding of our sinful nature, our depravity. Until people recognize they are sinners and repent, they will never understand the cross of Christ. If people truly understood their sinful nature, and they understood the wages of sin is death, then they would be crawling to the cross! This is why it’s important to preach the gospel of Christ, which was commanded by Jesus himself (Matthew 28:19)

In another twist, Jesus called Peter “Satan”! Why? Because he totally misunderstood the gospel, and misunderstood Christ’s mission here on Earth, to bring salvation to everyone who repents and becomes Born Again! The Passion of the Christ, is the core of the gospel message, and is God’s finished redemption plan for humanity! Amen!

Matthew 16- Who Is Jesus?

5 Replies

When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Matthew 16:13-16

Who do you say Jesus is? This is a question we should all ponder in our hearts. Do you know Jesus? If someone asked you who Jesus is, could you properly explain? This is probably the most important question in your whole life, do you know the real Jesus? Christ asked his own disciples this same question and got some various responses. Some people thought Christ was John the Baptist, some people believed Jesus was the prophet Isaiah, some believe he was the prophet Jeremiah, but Jesus asked “Who do you say that I am”?

Even in todays world, if you asked multiple people who Jesus is, your going to get different responses. For example, if you asked a Muslim who Jesus is, your going to get a response than a Jehovah Witness, or if you asked a Mormon your going to get a different response from an Orthodox Jew. You see everybody has different thoughts and ideas about who Jesus is, but do you know the real Jesus? Do you know the Christ from the Bible?

Peter knew who Jesus is, he said “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God”, that is the correct answer. How did Peter know the real Jesus? Because Peter has a personal relationship with Christ, not a religion. If you want to know the real Jesus, read the Word of God, don’t listen to the words of man

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ. Matthew 16:17-20

How did Peter know who Jesus is? God revealed it to him, as Paul said “The natural man doesn’t understand the things of God” (1 Corinthians 2:14) Peter understood the words of Jesus because of the Holy Spirit, without the Spirit of God, we can’t understand God. This is why so many false religions are confused about the real Jesus, because they don’t have the Holy Spirit, they are led by the flesh of man

Jesus said” Upon this Rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it” , the Catholics believe the Rock is Peter but Jesus Christ is the Rock,  the Chief Cornerstone (1 Peter 2:7) even the Apostle Peter said this himself! Our foundation is in Christ alone, the Son of the Living God, Amen!

Matthew 16- Beware of The Leaven

4 Replies

And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread. Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? Matthew 16:5-10

Jesus again is going to use Bread as an analogy to teach the disciples about not listening to false teachers and false doctrine. Jesus said to them “ Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees” The disciples totally misunderstood what Jesus was saying , and thought he was talking about actual bread. However Christ was referring to “The Leaven” of the religious leaders, meaning their false teachings

As the Apostle Paul said “ A little leaven leavens the whole lump” (Galatians 5:9) meaning a little false doctrine or false teachers corrupts the whole community. We see this in Christianity today, many false teachers teaching false doctrines confusing many Christians about their salvation or who Christ is. This is why Jesus warned the Apostles, beware of the religious leaders!

But the disciples thought Jesus was referring to physical bread, and then Christ’s response was “O You of little faith” think about this, the disciples just experienced The Lord providing bread for over 9,000 people with limited loaves, and they still don’t have any faith. The disciples are still worried about how God will provide for them!

How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. Matthew 16:11-12

Jesus said to them “How is this you don’t understand?” The disciples totally missed the point, Christ was warning them about false teachers and they are worried about where their next meal is coming from, doesn’t this sound familiar? The Church today is more worried about money and numbers, yet they compromise doctrine to appease people

Listen to the warning of Jesus Christ! Beware of false teachers! Beware of false doctrine! The Word of God is your foundation and authority, Amen!

Matthew 16- The Sign

3 Replies

The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red. And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed. Matthew 16:1-4

We live in a world and generation that is fixated on the thought of science and philosophy, to the extreme that it has become the religion and faith for those who have rejected God and his sovereignty. People will make ridiculous theories and label them as “science” so they can be validated and accepted as truth. However the majority of these theories have no truth in them, and are total depravity. As the Apostle Paul said “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools” (Romans 1:22)

The religious leaders were no different, they created their own laws and rules, and rejected the One true God. When Jesus Christ, the Messiah, walked the Earth, not only did they reject him, but they challenged him to provide a sign. The fact that God became a human being and performed miracles, wasn’t enough for them. The reality is they didn’t really care about God or want to know God. They wanted to validate their depraved theories to justify their sinful lifestyle, the same with our society today

Jesus called them out “You hypocrites, you can discern the face of the sky, but you can’t discern the sign of the times” The key word here is “discern” , the religious leaders and this world have no spiritual discernment.The natural man doesn’t understand the things of God  (1 Corinthians 2:24) People go to college to predict the weather, but they can’t discern who created the Heavens and Earth. They can’t discern good and evil, they can’t discern who Jesus Christ is. They demand a sign, as a loophole to escape Gods judgment, which will not happen unless they repent and become Born Again (John 3:3, Luke 13:3)

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Romans 1:20

People demand a sign from God, however God made it clear, the evidence of his existence is clearly seen, and we are without excuse!  Those who believe on judgment day, they can escape the wrath of their sins by demanding a sign will be mistaken! Everyone in their heart knows God created the Heavens and the Earth, the evidence of God’s existence is clearly seen in the planet and human life, you are without excuse! You won’t be able to argue your way out of your sentence, the wages of sin is death! (Romans 3:23)

If you’re looking for a sign, look to Jesus Christ! As God said “This will be a sign to you, a virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son, his name will be Immanuel (God is with Us) (Isaiah 7:14) Amen!

Matthew 15- Bread from Heaven

2 Replies

And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them: Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel. Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. Matthew 15:30-34

Most of us are familiar with Jesus feeding the 5,000 people, however here is another instance where Christ fed 4,000 plus people in the wilderness. Now we notice great crowds coming to see Jesus in the wilderness, but why? We see Christ performed many miracles and healings, and of course that made the people in awe and wonder, but were they really coming to Christ for the right reasons?

We see this scenario in John 6, when great multitudes were coming to Jesus because they wanted to be healed or they wanted to witness a miracle, but that was about it. You see many came to Christ to see a performance but they didn’t come to Christ for salvation. They wanted a miracle but they didn’t recognize who really was the Miracle. They wanted to be healed but didn’t recognize the Great Healer!

But Jesus had compassion on the great multitude, and was going to perform another miracle, a feeding of 4,000 people with 7 loaves of bread. Now also, we must recognize that Christ in the New Covenant is the “Greater Exodus”, as Moses led the Israelites through the Wilderness and God provided the Bread from Heaven, Jesus Christ delivered the bread himself and Christ himself is the Bread from Heaven!

And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full. And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children. Matthew 15:35-38

Notice the symbolic number of 7, which means completion in the Bible, and while the great miracle satisfied everyone for that day, I wonder if they recognize the greater miracle in Jesus Christ? Often ourselves we look at the temporal world and don’t look towards  God’s eternal Kingdom. The Bread satisfied their bodies for the day, but the Bread of Life, Jesus Christ, can satisfy their soul for all eternity!

Are you fixated on the miracle or the Miracle Worker? Look at the Bread of Life, Jesus Christ who will give you eternal life and not just temporary satisfaction, Amen

Matthew 15- Heart Issue

4 Replies

And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. Matthew 15:10-15

Previously we read where Jesus said “They honor me with their lips but their hearts are far from me” (Matthew 15:8) Here again we see Jesus explaining more of what he means, that sin is a heart issue, your covenant with God is a heart issue, and you need a new and clean heart (Ezekiel 36:26) you need to become Born Again (John 3:3) sin is what defiles a person, not what they eat

This is also a display of the New Covenant, as the Jews were more concerned with Jesus keeping the Dietary (Kosher) Laws, rather than understanding the sin in their heart is what condemns them. Jesus said “Hear and understand, it’s not what goes in the mouth that defiles a person, its what comes out of your mouth, that defiles a person” Sin is a heart issue, as Christ went into further explanation in Matthew 5, if you lust after someone you have already committed adultery in your heart, if you hate someone, you have already committed murder in your heart, ect

The Pharisees were offended, of course, because they were all about religion and not a relationship with God. Many people today are still offended by the words of Christ, you can’t work your way into Heaven, you can’t earn your salvation, you need a New Heart and to be Born Again through Christ

And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man. Matthew 15:16-20

The religious leaders were more concerned about Christ washing his hands, then washing away their sins with repentance. Jesus said “Are you still without understanding?” Jesus is like C’mon people, how hard is this for you to understand? But the problem is not the logic but our hearts. People love their sin more than God, people actually love their religion more than they love God. As Jesus taught us evilness begins and comes from the heart, this is why we need to become Born Again

The world will tell you “Follow your heart”, this is the worst advice you could ever receive, as the Bible tells us “The heart is wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9) you need a New Heart, you need to become Born Again through Jesus Christ, Amen!

Matthew 15- Traditions of Men

2 Replies

Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. Matthew 15:1-6

False worship and false religion has been a problem since the beginning of time, here we see the religious leaders, who claim to be Holy accusing the disciples of being transgressors because they didn’t wash their hands when they ate. Jesus quickly pointed out their hypocrisy! Christ pointed out the religious leaders claim they are “Keeping The Law” yet they don’t honor their mother and father , as Jesus said “you have made the commandment of God to no effect by your tradition”

We see this in the Church today, many traditions of man have overtaken the Word of God. This is why the Bible needs to be our authority for the Church, not the traditions of man. This is why Liberal Christians and theologians today will discredit the Bible as not the Word of God, by doing this they can make up their own laws and interpretations of scripture

As Jesus told us, sin is a heart issue, these religious leaders don’t truly love God, they love their religion, they love their tradition, they have made a false god to whom they worship, they don’t worship the true Jesus of the Bible

Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Matthew 15:7-9

We see alot of Churches today claiming to be Christian, they claim to love Jesus and worship him, but they are hypocrites. They love him with their mouths but their hearts are hard and don’t love Christ. They claim to be doing many works in the name of Jesus, but Christ doesn’t even know them (Matthew 7) As Jesus said we need to worship God in Spirit and Truth (John 4:24)

Religion won’t save your soul , traditions wont save your soul, only Jesus Christ can save your soul, you must become Born Again, Amen!

Matthew 14- Touch of Faith

4 Replies

And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret. And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased; And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole. Matthew 14:34-36

Today we see Jesus entering the town of Gennesaret, a small town off the Sea of Galilee, and this story will kind of remind you of the woman who touched the garment of Christ. We see basically the same scenario being played out here also, but in a bigger scale. As the scripture says “They begged him that they might have one touch of his garment” That’s all these people needed, was One touch of the Lord Jesus and there lives were made whole

Anytime we see a healing by Jesus , we typically notice the same pattern, and we see it here also. First , the people recognized who Jesus is. The people understood Jesus is the Son of God, The Messiah, The Lord and Savior, they believed this in their hearts, otherwise they would not have come to Christ. This is the first step, the drawing of the Holy Spirit to Christ. Those who don’t reject the calling will be saved

Secondly, they are seeking Christ. Since they understood Jesus is Lord, now they are seeking Christ, they are coming from all directions to hear the words of Jesus and to be saved. Jesus said “Come to me all who are weary and burden laden, and I’ll give you Rest” (Matthew 11:28) Jesus didn’t say , just sit there and do nothing, no Christ said “Seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened “ (Matthew 7:7) The people came to seek Christ

Third, by faith they came to Christ and touched his garment to be saved. The people of Gennesaret demonstrated their faith, by coming to Jesus and touching his garment. It’s not that The Lord’s garment was magical , it was the people demonstrating faith in Jesus as the Son of God. The bible says “Without faith, it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:16) You must have faith in Jesus Christ to be saved!

Lastly, I like the wording of the KJV here “As many as touched were made perfectly whole” (v36) Most translations say they are healed, but this is more than just about a physical healing, this is about saving their souls. You can be in perfect health and still be headed to Hell, the healing should not be the focus here, its the salvation we received from Jesus Christ through faith, Amen!

Matthew 14- Walk of Faith

3 Replies

And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. Matthew 14:22-27

The “Walking on Water” again is another demonstration of Christs deity and proclamation that the New Covenant is a Better Covenant than the Old Covenant (Hebrews 8) As we looked previously Jesus feeding the 5,000 in the wilderness was superior to Moses taking care of the Israelites in the Wilderness, as Moses prophesied “God will raise a prophet like me, listen to him” (Deuteronomy 18:15)

We remember when God parted the Red Sea and Moses led the Israelites through the waters, (Exodus 14) however now we see Jesus Christ , not parting the waters, but walking on the water. A task that only could be accomplished supernaturally by God, demonstrating Christ deity and his superior nature to Moses. Jesus is not just a man, but he is God in the flesh (John 1:14)

The disciples in the boat were in fear, they believed they were going to die, but Jesus told them “Be of good cheer or take courage, do not be afraid” How many Christians live in fear on a daily basis? Focus on the Savior and not your problems, focus on Christ walking on the water, and not on the storms!

And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. Matthew 14:28-33

Peter temporarily demonstrated some faith, and Jesus said “Come”, and by his faith in Christ, Peter was able to walk on water, however once he allowed his fears and doubts to creep in, he immediately sank. This is a good analogy of how faith works, when you trust in Jesus with all your heart, God will does his work, however when you allow your doubt and fears to creep in, your faith becomes broken

Notice immediately Peter cried out to Jesus “Lord Save Me” and Christ immediately pulled him out of the water, this should also be our response in times of trouble, Lord Save Me! When Jesus finally entered the boat, what was the disciples’ response? They worshiped Christ and declared Jesus is the Son of God, Amen!