TOP 10 THINGS JESUS CHRIST WILL NEVER SAY Part I

10. “Silly Lazarus. Simon didn’t say live.”  JOHN 11:43 When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!"

9. “Yeah, I need 5000 Happy Meals. Hold the pickles please.” JOHN 6:10-11 Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

8. “Maybe we can sell some more stuff on Sunday.” JOHN 2:14-16 In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!"

7.      No, Peter, take your time. I’ll wait for you to get your arm floats. Matthew 14:28-29 "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." 29 "Come," he said.

6.      “No, sorry, I don’t have time for you. Get up and out of my way. Oh wait, right. You can’t walk! MARK 2:3-5 Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." 

    5. “Hey guys help me put food coloring in this water.” JOHN 2:7-9 7 Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim. 8 Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet."  They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine.

   4. “You know God, I don’t believe I want to hang out today.” Luke 22:41-42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
3. “Satan, that’s a pretty deal. I’ll take it.” MATTHEW 4:10-11 Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.” 11Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.
 2. “For God so loved the worl-no, not you. No, you are out. Section AA23, you’re gone, definitely not you.”  JOHN 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
AND THE NUMBER 1 THING JESUS CHRIST WILL NEVER SAY

1. “You just wait! I’m going home and telling my Daddy! LUKE 23:34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
 

JOHN CHAPTER 17

We as a Christian people should try to emulate or be like Christ. Today, we will look at John 17. There are three areas of this chapter that we will be looked at. Most Bibles label the first part as Jesus prays for Himself.  

          John 17:1-5 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

            Jesus starts out by stating the obvious. The time for saving all mankind had come. "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.” The line glorify your son that your Son may glorify you is a line where many opponents want to say that Christ was seeking His own glory. That’s not it. The glorification of Christ was accomplished the moment He gave up the ghost and said, “It is finished.” God was then glorified because of the Son’s sacrifice. Jesus was not seeking his own glory, but rather the glory through His sacrifice for God the Father.  

            Lines two and three at times cause controversy. There are Christian people that say only so and so is going to Heaven or everybody is going because they either think Christ’s sacrifice was for only certain people or that we all are God’s children regardless of the sacrifice of Christ.

For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

            Jesus says that He has been given authority by the Father over all people. That is not difficult to understand, but here comes the problem for some folks; that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. No one has ever come to Christ on his own. I’ll explain. When I accepted the Lord Jesus as my savior, I did not do it because I thought it was just a good idea or I wanted to be a member of a church. I knew God was working on me. I knew I had to have a relationship with Christ. Every Christian that is reading this I know understands what I am saying. The Bible says that God doesn’t want anyone to perish. That is why as Jesus said, “My father is always working.” God is always drawing people closer to him. Christ died so that all who believe will be saved. Election is not a feasible thought. If it were, how stupid would it be to say Jesus died for me, but not that loser down the road? It is equally ignorant to say that just because we are alive we are children of God. Scriptures teaches just the opposite.

            This current generation for all its technological advances is no different from previous ones. Each generation until the last will come to know Abraham, Noah, Moses, Daniel, David and the rest. Secular history books allow these figures to be taught from a historical view. Christ is taught as well from the world view as being a teacher and prophet. Jesus used the parable to teach his disciples and the masses. But, here in John 17, we are allowed in plain, understandable text to read, hear, experience and receive eternal life.

John 1:3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

            Jesus spells it out! That they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. As easy as it is to understand, there is a catch. Other than the so-called atheist, people realize there is a creator. The sinner, let’s say, a teenager, is involved in many things that are not Christian oriented. The sinning teenager says he believes in God, but wants to have fun. Or perhaps the teenager has doubts about Jesus. Just knowing who God is, the Father and the Son is not what is being said here.

“How do you know? Were you there?”

All scripture is “God-breathed. (1 Timothy 3:16) With that being understood, the Book of James tells us that even the demons believe in one God and they tremble. The demons recognized Christ when He walked the earth. Simply saying you know God and Jesus like you would say you “know” so and so as they walk down the street is not what is being said. We know God through and because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross when we accept Him as Lord of our life. There are numerous instances/scriptures where Jesus speaks this truth. Perhaps the most widely used verse is John 14:6. "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”” Jesus is not just a way to eternity. He is the only way.

John17:4 I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.

            Jesus taught that good trees never produce bad fruit. Furthermore He taught that bad trees do not produce good fruit. If we are children of God, a people that have given everything to the Lord Jesus Christ we will act like it. Our lives will show a love for Christ and others. We will exalt and bring glory to God just as Christ did.

            Jesus was, is, and forever will be the reigning Lord of all creation. It is beyond tragic that so many do not believe in the deity of Christ. They don’t believe He is God. They just think he was born from Mary, raised by Joseph, taught a nice message was killed for His belief and died. Others, notably the Islamic faith disavows that Christ even died. Either way, who Christ is, is sometimes overlooked. In verse five, Christ makes another, fairly simple, easy to understand statement. “And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.”  

            Jesus the Son was with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit also known as The Great Comforter before the world was spoken into existence 6008 years ago. Take a look at part of verse twenty-six from Genesis chapter one: Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness. God is not bipolar, okay. He just was not alone. Jesus refers to Himself in Revelation as the Alpha and the Omega. He was with the Father and the Comforter from the beginning.

            Chapter 17 verses six through nineteen detail Christ praying for His disciples. Let us look at the entire piece before dissecting the individual pieces.

"I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. 13"I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

            Jesus to start out with here is taking about the disciples, yes, even Judas. "I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.” It was not that long before Christ spoke these words to the Father that the disciples were arguing among themselves concerning who was greatest. Although Christ was speaking straightaway about these twelve, isn’t it a wonderful feeling knowing that our God speaks up for us like that? Don’t let anyone lead you astray. The Bible is clear that the Gospel message is for all people. Yes, God, Jesus Christ, God in the flesh chose twelve specific men to complete the tasks at hand, but at no time has Christ ever denied anyone who came to Him for a healing.   

7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.”

            Can you imagine what the disciples felt when Christ was arrested? Scripture teaches that all fled except for Peter, who would as Jesus foretold deny knowing the Lord not once but three times, and an unnamed disciple (Maybe John). John was at the crucifixion with Mary, the mother of Christ. If all Jesus spoke was a lie, the disciple would have never built the church. We would not have the term Christian, Christ would be a fable and most importantly, we would all get what we deserve; hell forever. But, praise be to God, the disciples as Jesus said, knew Jesus was the Christ.

John 17:9-10 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.

            This not only applies to the disciples, but also to all of us. Christ is praying on our behalf before the Father just as He does when we face the Father on the Day of Judgment. “All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.” Go ahead. It’s okay, maybe. The Savior of all mankind just said glory has come to Him through them. Them refers to the disciples, again, but also His children, the believers in the Risen Lord. Wow. Such unity exists between the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. “All I have is yours, and all you have is mine.” Christ wanted His followers to be united like the Trinity. John 17:11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one.

Verse twelve mentions Judas as the one that is doomed. “While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.” Prophecy to be true must come to pass. I don’t know why Judas was the one out of all history to be the one to betray Him. The fact is he was and that’s done. He served a purpose although an infamous one.              

John 17:13-16 "I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.

            Verse thirteen shows us that Jesus is using a word that should come natural to us as Christians. Joy is what we should have. I know life is tough now. I know it. God though, wants us to be happy, to be joyful. If you are a Christian that is full of sadness, and you are down trodden, how unfair is that to Christ? Jesus as he headed to the place of the skull, Golgotha, Cavalry, told his mother Mary that He indeed did make all things new. How can we be a people that claim to have the joy of God, but lives that reflect everything but? It makes you think don’t it?

            “I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.” This not only applies to the original twelve, but to Christians everywhere! We as Christians are not a part of this world. Time after time we are told to look to the things of Heaven not the earth. We are told to focus on the will of God in our lives, not the desires of our failed flesh and humanity. The world you know hates us as Christians. That isn’t a surprise. The world says sex with anyone anywhere and anytime is okay. Several states have redefined marriage from what the Holy Scripture deems truth. We have as a pastor friend of mine once said, “A Feel Good Gospel,” where anything goes as long as you feel good. What a tragedy we have become in the face of an Almighty God.    

            Verse fifteen and sixteen show Christ praying for something very specific. “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.” How awesome do you feel right now after hearing or reading that? The God of all, the Son of Man, asks in prayer for God’s protection over us. Too many people today place the angels above the Son and the Father. God whether he uses angels or Himself protects His children. That being said, so many who wish to denounce Christ scream out, “Why does God allow innocent people to die or become disease ridden to the point of death?”

            “I don’t know.” Is that plain enough? Recently I wrote about the Book of Job. Job and company pondered the same questions. Tragedy, my friends, more times than not strengthens our resolve and faith in Christ. Christian people never feel closer to God than when tragedies are attempting to rip their lives apart. Getting back to the original point, our God prays for protection for His followers. He made the distinction that those who follow Him are not of the world. 

The dictionary defines sanctify with the following: to make holy; set apart as sacred; consecrate. Keep that in mind as we look at verses seventeen through nineteen.

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

           

            We all know that God so loved the world as 3:16 instructs, that he sent Christ to die for us. Here we see and hear Jesus Himself tell why He completed the task after He gave up the glory of Heaven for the dirt of the earth. “As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.  Christ is saying that just as He had a job to do, so did the disciples. I said it earlier, but can you imagine what the world would be like if the disciples ignored the Great Commission? The disciples turned apostles had a huge task of spreading Christianity and setting up church services. If you think they did it with good luck you are wrong. The very hand of the Almighty, the Spirit of God was with them, leading and guiding.  

Verse nineteen knocks it out of the park to borrow a cliché from political candidates. “For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.” Every Gospel preaching Jesus  Christ Savior church should be stating this every time the doors are opened. We are lackadaisical and complacent concerning the very issue of our salvation. Christ in this prayer although directed to the twelve references you and me. “For them I sanctify myself,” Christ says. For them, for you, for me, for the children that are yet to be. “That they too may be truly sanctified.” We don’t realize even with the Gibson movie what Christ gave up and took up for us. He did the most unselfish act in all history so we would not be a part of a world that is ruled by the prince of the air, Satan, a world that is already on its way to the Lake of Fire, the Second Death. I suppose you can say

            In the last part of John chapter 17 starting with verse twenty, we see the prayer Christ says for future believers.

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. "Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. "Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."

           

            Jesus begins this final part of the prayer by specifically addressing the future generations of believers. "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” Christianity began with Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. It continued by the apostles setting up the church, and it continues today when we not only exalt, worship, and fellowship in the presence of the Lord Almighty, but when sinners are won by the Gospel message of His loving Grace. Unity does not exist where dissention reigns. Jesus said He prayed for those who will believe in Him, and that they be one just like He and the Father are one. Today good people, we tend to look at the denominational sign on the door as a measuring stick of how much we love God. I am going to say with love I hope what everyone thinks. Today, we as a Christian people are too wrapped up on church membership rather than the time and quality we put in on worshipping the Lord.

            Some people complain about the color of the carpet, music selection, use of instruments, non-use of instruments, size of the offering plate, the preacher’s tie, and of course the number of times the Lord’s Supper is observed. Do we really think that this interferes with a person’s decision to live for Christ? We should not base our Christian goodness on the name and reputation of our church, but rather be of one Christian body, the body that represents the Lamb of God’s bride, the church, and Jesus Christ Himself!

   

            Listen and read the words carefully: May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. How we as a Christian people spread the Gospel message if we are divided? Satan has his hand in every church division. We cannot have one third of the people going with preacher so and so while the others stay with deacon Joe because older hymnals are used. “May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” Jesus instructed the eleven apostles to spread His message, of the blessed Hope, Grace, and love Love. Brothers and sisters we are the body of Christ, we are His people, but don’t think for a moment that we save anyone. We are told to tell, lead, and live a Christ-like example, but remember it is the Grace of the Lord that saves us from that burning lake.  

            “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one. I in them and you in me.” What is that glory you may be asking? His sacrifice for us is what the glory is. It is a mockery, a shame, and an insult to the risen savior that so many worldly, Satan inspired divisions cast doubt the church body’s love and dedication to Christ. The Father, Son, and Spirit want nothing less than for all people to turn from sin and be united in one accord to worship. Here’s some of that scripture to further explain the unity idea. “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.”

            "Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. Jesus said many times that people would know God the Father if they knew the Son. The “they” Christ refers to are His children. We as Christian people are not a part of the world. We are set apart, saved by Grace because we have acknowledged and repented from our sins and accepted the Grace from an Almighty God. If we factor out those people who say they don’t believe that Jesus died for their sins, we are left with the independent voters so to speak. More times than not they will admit that the world has a creator. They admit God may be the One. There will come a day when all know and confess. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them." Jesus once said to the Pharisees in regard to their questioning Him concerning His observance of the Sabbath, “My Father is always working.” Jesus too by His words is always working to draw the hurt, the broken, and the lost closer to the Father.

Copyright©

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The Point?

   We all start to decompose, die a little every day, after we take the first breath. The secular world, humanists, and liberal educated people most times do not subscribe to this or the thought pattern that Jesus Christ is The Living God. Furthermore, they feel The Bible is an outdated book with some moral value, but it doesn’t apply to all people all the time. Since the fall in Eden, we have been living and dying, dying and living.

            If by the by, you are reading this and you are one that does not hold the belief that The Bible is God’s Word, I hope that the Lord uses me to convince you otherwise. The Bible says a few things about the subject of death. Here are just a few snippets of truth.   

Hebrews 9:27

27 Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment

            Dying is easy. Facing judgment from a holy, mighty, and just God, well, good luck with that if you are not covered by the blood of Christ.

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

        I once heard a pastor use this scripture at a funeral. It offended a lot of people because while yes, this scripture is true, it was used in an inappropriate manner. It sounded as though the deceased only died because of a sin. Sin brings forth death. That came about from Adam and Eve’s first transgression, sin in Eden. That is why we are all failed flesh destined to die at least once. The second death is a message and a half in itself.

        As humans we are I suppose it can be argued the only ones who are aware of death. If domesticated pets knew of death, they would flee from the road. Cattle and other livestock would not blindly graze away only to be slaughtered. As humans we justify our behavior and desires by saying, “You only live once.” Fine. That’s true. We do only live once and that is the big issue! More people use that as a reason to sin, sin, sin, and push Christ away because, “You only live once! Enjoy yourself!”

        Christian people truly devoted to Christ and the life will be happy, joyful, and full of hope without having to get hammered, hooked up, or high! The main part of this message today now that we looked briefly at death is one scripture over life.

James 4:14

14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
        “I just talked to mom, yesterday.”
        “I was supposed to go visit, Grandma on Saturday.”
        “Jim can’t be dead. Why, I saw him last week.”
        We are one phone call away from hearing the news about the death of a loved one. By the time this is read if ever, I may already be dead. We get too comfortable in life until death calls and wakes us! How many times do you think someone will say the words I typed today? Kids and teenagers may get a pass on this, the little ones more than the teens because they don’t think like adults. Truth is most of us don’t think about death until we have to go to the funeral home as a bereaved member or guest of honor. If we are the guest, it’s too late. We are either with Christ in Heaven or we are burning and living on in hell.
        We are here. Then we aren’t. That is it. Christian people, do not treat Jesus Christ, His love, Grace, and mercy like the last slice of pizza. Share Jesus with those who are dying.
John 11:25-28
25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
        How reassuring is that, brothers and sisters? He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. We have the promise of eternity from the Lord Himself! Christ finished with the question, Do you believe this? No matter who you are, Jesus is here asking you through His people and the Word, Do you believe this?
        We do live to die. The birth and death dates tell how long we hung out. but it is the middle dash on the tombstone that holds the untold story of how we lived for Christ or how we rejected Him.

       

MOMMY AND DADDY ARE MY BFFS.

A kid’s worst best friend is his or her mom and or dad. They may shock some folks, but I feel that moms and dads are not being responsible enough in this day and age. If a parent is hanging out with their teenaged child drinking coffee and gossiping about so and so, the child views said parent as a buddy and not a person with authority. A buddy won’t tell you when to come home or what you cannot wear. It is a disgrace to the institution of parenting when a mother buys her daughter clothing that makes her prepubescent body appear like a Vegas showgirl waiting to give the next lap dance. It is equally disgraceful when a father pushes his son to be a man by promoting sexually explicit thoughts and situations.

            God being the model parent has stated a few truths about parenting. Here’s the first of two that will be looked at today.

  ^Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

            The debate rages on concerning nature vs. nurture. Children will act so I’ve been told by my spouse according to how they see us act. That is true by the way. Children are sponges at an early age. They soak up so much that they see and hear. With that being the case, we as parents should expose our children at an early age to Sunday school, the importance of knowing and reading The Bible, and most importantly, the knowledge of Christ’s saving Grace.

            When do kids stray from the path of righteousness? They stray at birth. One of the words any child learns is “mine,” and “no.” The Bible in case you did not know says, “All have fallen short of the glory of God.” All includes those wrinkly, bald headed blessings we call babies. So God has made you a parent. It doesn’t matter if it’s the first, second, third or fourth time, God has blessed you with the responsibility of caring and teaching of a child. God’s Word has not changed. Neither have His expectations.

             My father accepted the Lord at age sixty-five. He, along with many others, is the exceptions. Generally speaking, if a child grows into adulthood never hearing the Gospel, said child now adult will never come to the Lord. Yes, all things work for God in His time, but a hard headed boy today is tomorrow’s stubborn man. The child must learn of God and His sacrifice. You will never see a person, who as a child learned the Truth and made a real commitment to Christ, turns from it. Today more than ever, church attendance drops off when a teen goes to college. The allure of sin and the absence of parents overcome many and most college freshmen. They tend to let their Bible slip away and they hide the picture of Jesus so to speak. If they return from when they strayed, like the prodigal, the parent will rejoice and take them back. God does that with us after a heart has truly repented.

Many stray and don’t return to their Christian roots. I openly and fiercely question the commitment made to Christ if it can be wiped away that quickly and easily at the sign of so called independence.

“Hey, junior, yeah, you in toga, if you are so independent and responsible why are two guys helping you into your dorm room?”

See what I mean? A person cannot say, Praise Jesus. I love you!” Then say, “Wahoo! Pass the bottle! Yeah man she is fine! Where’s my drink?” Followed up by these words spoken into the toilet, “Oh Jesus help me. I’ll never drink again. Till next weekend.”

When a child is trained at an early age in the ways of the Lord, they will always know the path to take regardless of how many negative influences are hitting them. Believe it? I wish I could. It is true in some cases, but even the most devout Christian will mess up. But see, God’s Grace covers that through repentance. I guarantee if a Christian teen makes a wrong decision the moment said wrong decision is made, the Holy Spirit will convict said student and they will know repentance is needed.

Proverbs 13:24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

                By no means should abuse ever be construed as discipline. Children are God’s gift to be raised for a season. Mommy, Daddy, it is your job to raise the child. Christians know that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of all knowledge. That fear is not the, “I’m afraid you are going to beat me,” fear, but rather a respected reverence to the Lord. If we are to fear the Lord, we must adhere to all teachings. This includes spanking your child when they misbehave. Most first words spoken by children are either “No” or “Mine.” I’m sure time out works, but the toddlers of today are becoming the losers of tomorrow due to the lack of discipline from the best friend dad and the easy going mom.

There’s this great gulf that divides true Christians from secular folks. The divide is called faith in Christ. Remember this opening statement later. When speaking on faith, the Risen savior, and or any Christian theme, those who lend their ideals to the non-belief crowd be it atheists, deists, Islamic lies, and everyone else that refuses to acknowledge Christ as Lord love to sardonically ask, “Where’s the proof?” Point to order: If Faith has to be proven is it faith? But yet after delivering such a redundant question, I offer Psalm 107. Not proof in that God has to be defended. Historically speaking look at Nero’s failed attempts to have every known copy of scripture annihilated. Anyway, back to 107 as further text demonstrating how truly perfect The Bible is. Someone jump up now and say it is full of mistakes. Go on then. Say it. Now show me one? I’ll wait. The truth is, the whole cannon of scripture flows together knit perfectly considering it had over 40 ghostwriters. I am fully prepared to accept that this particular piece may not if even read affect anyone’s belief; however, what I write is true not because of any skillful merit I possess, but because as Christians know, God and his Word exist. If you don’t believe as I do, that’s your right. But please for humor just think about the message here. The one thing to take away from this as with most of my writing is that God loves you. Whether you believe it or not, Jesus of Nazareth, God in the flesh loved you so much that He gave His own life to pay a penalty, a debt if you will, to keep you from hell. 

We will only look at verses one and two from Psalm 107. I promise to try to leave you with a better understanding than you had when you came. I’m going to speak directly to you, dear readers that are not Christian.

¹O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy    

Right off the bat, you may argue/ask about the line God is good because of his mercy. You ask about the mercy when murders, oil spills, and calamities abound. Some of you not ignorant of biblical history ask about the opposing armies God ordered the Israelites to kill.   

First, read the next line. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy; The message of the cross, Jesus not just dying but rising from the dead saving all who accept His GRACE, The Bible teaches is foolishness to those who are perishing. That means you, Mr. or Ms. Unbeliever. But most people in the world say, but I’m a good person even if I don’t believe in your God. You can be a good person by the world’s standard.  The measuring stick God uses measures not by the world’s standard prone, but by his GOLD standard that goes by the name of Jesus. What is the major difference between this Jesus thing and all other religions you may ask if you are an equal opportunity denier. The main and most important difference is when the Buddhist prays, they pray to a dead leader or perhaps a dead leader reincarnated as an enlightened grasshopper. When the Hindu prays, well Hinduism is more of a way of life than an actual religion based on the Webster’s definition of religion. Who does Islam and her followers call? You know. Now that I’m through with that part of the intolerant, yet Biblically Correct view, I’ll proceed. Who is redeemed then? If these redeemed are speaking, then who are they? Here’s what the Bible says in John 1:12: But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. 1 Corinthians 15:22 says For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.  

Jesus Himself spoke very plainly to those educated religious folks. This is found in John chapter 8 verses 42-45: Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.

 ⁴³Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
 ⁴⁴Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
 ⁴⁵And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
             
         The remaining part of 107 details the Israelites’ ordeal from captivity to release to being lost then found.  Let me leave with the words of Christ from Luke 11:23. He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.
          Jesus is waiting today. If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

THE WEEK

Bad day? Bad week? I have a friend that had the worst week ever. If you ask him about it, he will not admit that it was bad or even blame those who caused him to have a bad week. I will tell you for him. At first, the week started out gloriously. I was not there, but I read the reports. My friend entered the city in parade fashion. People were raising the roof I guess you would say. There was so much noise and singing being made over my friend coming to town, you would think Elvis or any other king had rode in on the scene. It’s so wild too because my buddy didn’t roll in on a Chevy or a Ford, but a wild donkey. My friend sure knows how to make an entrance. Palm branches are thrown on the path so my friend and his donkey cross over them. Mr. Popularity is making his way into town and this religious type of people show up demanding he settle the people down. It is just too loud or whatever.


On Monday, my friend cleaned house ridding it of the pests that were not showing his home the proper respect. Later, he used a fig tree to illustrate the need for God. Tuesday was a big day for my friend. He taught parables most of the day and defended himself from the previously mentioned religious types. At one point, my friend answered questions about marriage, taxes, life, death, and signs to look for at the end of days. I cannot say for sure what Wednesday was like for my friend. Thursday; however, was a big day. First, he observed the Passover by enjoying a real good supper, washed the feet of his closest followers and explained how that represented service, but then the mood changed. He told his friends that he knew one of them was going to betray him. After telling that, he switched gears and told his friends how and why they should remember him after he was no longer with them. He then told Peter specifically that he would deny knowing him not once, but three times. My friend finished the conversation by telling those closest to him exactly how to get Heaven.

I think it was about 9:30 PM to 10:30 PM that my friend went out to the Gethsemane Garden to pray. His betraying friend came with the authorities. They arrested him. The night of his arrest, my friend was brought before Annas, Caiaphas, and the Sanhedrin (a group of religious leaders). In these trials, he was charged with blasphemy. He was imprisoned at Caiaphas’ palace.

Friday, Peter full of fear, denied him just as foretold. My friend went before Pilate, who was the Roman Governor, who declared, “I find no guilt in this man.” So, Pilate sent my friend to Herod, one of the main politicians. My friend refused to answer any questions, so Herod returned him to Pilot. Then He returned to Pilate, who finally sentenced him to death.

What I did not write was that they beat my friend beyond recognition, spit on him, and mocked him. They crucified him between two thieves. Everyone that had on Sunday screamed and sang his praises was in either hiding or watching gleefully at his torturous death. Through all of this, my friend asked God to forgive those who denied him, beat him, and killed him. An earthquake occurred that day. I was not there to see my friend buried. On Saturday, the burial site was sealed and a guard posted to ensure the body stayed buried. On Sunday, the tomb was empty.

Praise be to God Almighty that my friend, my savior, Jesus Christ defeated Hell, death, and the grave over 2000 years ago. Jesus’ bad week did not end at the cross. He taught that He is the only way to Heaven. If we confess with our mouths, Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead we will be saved. Please do not miss Heaven because of a lie from Hell. We are all a breath away from eternity. Salvation comes from One; His name is Jesus Christ. I pray that you look to Him as your personal savior. You may ask, “How do I do that?”

First, you realize the need for Jesus. You look to the Bible as it teaches that all have sinned. God is holy, perfect, and just. He does not look upon sin. We cannot get to God on our own. God gave us Jesus; His sacrificial death on the cross paid our sin debt and has made a way for us to be with God IF we accept Jesus Christ as our savior. It is more than knowing about Jesus. We have to know that we need Him, we have to believe in Him. We turn from-repent-stop doing the things we know that keep us from Him. We admit we need Him, we believe in Him, and we confess Him as Lord. God bless.

BAD NEWS AND GOOD NEWS

    An ironic, key piece in understanding the Gospel, (good news) of Jesus Christ is understanding the consequences of the bad news first. There are three parts to the bad news. First, we are all sinners, we fall short of God’s glory secondly, and finally due to the sinfulness we are paid in wages of death. I know what some of you may be thinking. You may be thinking and saying, “Why man, I’m not bad. I pay my way; I take care of my family. I have never killed anyone. I am not that bad. You are right. You may be a good person by all standards except God’s. The Bible says that God is holy and does not even look upon sin. We must recognize that we need be saved from our sins in order to be at peace with God. So where is the good news?


    How can we be at peace with God? Friends, there is not one thing I, you, or anyone can do to make things right between God and ourselves. Salvation must come from a different source. It is grace. Have you ever given a gift to someone not because the person deserved it, but because you actually care for the person and you knew that, your gift might be the only one they ever receive? That is what God has done for us all. That’s the good news, friends. Jesus. It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. (Eph 2:8-9) The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Roman 6:23)

    We cannot save ourselves from our sin because our good works DO NOT live up to God’s standard, but where our works are stained with sin and rejected, Christ’s work is perfect and is accepted. The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Roman 6:23)

    As we start our journey toward the cross, we have to realize and admit that we do need Christ, that we are sinners. We have to believe in and on Jesus. I did not say know about Him, but rather we have to have a real relationship with Him. We have to confess him as the Lord. Why? The Bible spells out it plainly. If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10)

   We stand at the brink of eternity. Really, we do not know what tomorrow or even five minutes from now will bring. We are all one breath away from death. Jesus says, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” Paul wrote to the Corinth church, If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Cor 5:17) Jesus is the only way to salvation. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

    If you died today, and God asked you why He should let you into heaven, how would you answer Him? If you answered, “Because I went to church”, or “Because I did good deeds”, He would not let you in. However, if you answered, “Because I have trusted in Jesus Christ to pay for my sins,” He would say “Welcome.”