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In this post I would like to refresh our memories on what each of the elements or symbols of the parable represent and I would like to share some applications.
1. The symbols
The sower represents Yeshua (God).
The seed represents the Word of God.
The birds represent Satan.
The soils represent the type of people that hear the Word of God.
The soil by the wayside represents those who hear the Word, don't understand it, and then have the Word taken away by Satan.
The stony soil represents those who hear the Word, receive it joyfully, but don't have much root. Although they grow spiritually somewhat, the lack of root combined with tribulation and persecution due to the Word of God, they become offended.
The thorny soil represents those who hear the Word, but due to the care of this world and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the Word and they become unfruitful.
The good soil represents those who hear the Word of God, understand it, and bear fruit of varying amounts.
2. Application
From this parable we see that God has an interest in mankind's knowing Him. He sent Yeshua to correctly establish the Word of God, its requirements, and how we can be saved. When Yeshua spread the gospel message He came in contact with various people who fell into the four categories we find in this parable. It is interesting to note that most of Yeshua's hearers did not understand His message. Some were unprepared and even though they listened, Satan stole it away before they could believe and be converted. Some of His hearers turned away when they met tribulation and persecution that resulted from committing to God. The life of a believer is not necessarily without danger and trouble. Some of His hearers understood the Word, but were concerned with worldly things more than the things of God. The care of this world could refer to things like poverty, fame, and power, anything that could cause a believer to lose his or her focus on God. The deceitfulness of riches refers to the striving for wealth where God no longer seems necessary because we think wealth can relieve us from our worries. Lastly, a small number of hearers understand the Word, repent, and put their trust in God. These people bear fruit of varying amounts. The fruit can be the changing of one's character as well as turning around and becoming sowers themselves.
It is in this regard that all believers also become sowers. We, too, will run into these four types of people. Only a small number will likely understand and accept the Word. We can't let this discourage us! After all Yeshua had the same issue! Most people need to hear the Word over several times before they are able to understand. Let's keep at it! Do not fall into the trap of teaching that a person's problems will be over, or that his or her life will be so much better, if he or she would only come to Yeshua. We then may cause these believers to fall away, because there will always be some tribulation or persecution that will follow belief. And whether or not we are Billy Grahams that aid in the salvation of many or we only successfully reach a few, God is not grading us on our level of productivity. We only need to be faithful!! We only need to be out there spreading the Word of God.
So what is this parable teaching us about the Kingdom of Heaven?
We hear the Word of God, repent and believe, and then we enter the Kingdom of Heaven. This then becomes our work. We emulate Yeshua and try to grow the Kingdom in much the same way that He did. Let's get to it!
Showing posts with label Repentance and the Kingdom of God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Repentance and the Kingdom of God. Show all posts
Saturday, July 8, 2017
Monday, July 3, 2017
The Parable of the Sower Part 1
We have been looking at some of the details of how and why Yeshua taught about the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven. With this post we begin our study of the meat of His teachings.
Matthew 13:1-9 (KJV)
1 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.
2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
As we begin this chapter we see that Yeshua went out of the house and sat by the sea side (verse 1). Multitudes gathered around Him, so He went into a ship and sat down, while the multitude stayed on the shore (verse 2). He then began to teach (verse 3). Notice that He taught the multitudes using parables. Please see previous post for Yeshua's reasons.
In this parable a sower (a farmer) went out to sow his seed. In ancient days, the farmer would simply scatter seed over his field. According to verse 4, some of the seed fell by the wayside, which is ground next to a road. It is hard and has not been prepared for planting. Since the seed could not penetrate the soil, birds came and ate up the seed. Other seed fell upon stony ground where there wasn't much dirt (verse 5). The seed sprang up, but it was spindly because of the lack of soil. Therefore, when the sun was up, the plants were scorched and they withered away (verse 6). Verse 7 says that some of the seed fell among thorns. They also sprouted, but ended up by being choked by the thorns. Finally, some of the seed fell into good ground (verse 8). This seed sprang up, grew, and brought forth fruit. Some produced an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, and some thirtyfold. Then Yeshua urged His hearers to not only hear, but to truly understand (verse 9).
At this point, Yeshua's disciples came to Him for some explanation of what the parable meant.
Matthew 13:18-23 (KJV)
18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Yeshua began His explanation by describing what the four types of soil represented. Verse 19 says that the seed that falls by the wayside represents one who hears the Word of the Kingdom, but doesn't understand it. At that point, the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.
Yeshua doesn't give us a lot of information, but with what He has told us, we can decipher what the rest is about. Obviously, the soil represents types of people who hear the Word of the Kingdom, which is the Word of God (the Bible). The Kingdom, itself, is not Heaven, but the Millennial Kingdom that Yeshua will physically set up upon His return. Currently, the Kingdom exists only spiritually and it is the Kingdom that we enter into when we are born again. The farmer can be none other than Yeshua, who was preaching and teaching about repentance and faith, and how to enter into the Kingdom. This first type of person hears the Word, but doesn't understand it, and Satan (the wicked one), represented by the birds, snatches the Word away.
In verse 20 the stony soil represents one who hears the Word of God and received it with joy. However, he doesn't have much root and so he becomes offended when tribulation and persecution arise because of the Word (verse 21).
The thorny soil represents one who hears the Word of God, but becomes unfruitful, because the care of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the Word (verse 22).
Lastly, the good soil represents one who hears the Word and understands it. This one will bear fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, and some thirtyfold (verse 23).
Stay tuned for part 2 of the Parable of the Sower!
Matthew 13:1-9 (KJV)
1 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side.
2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:
6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.
7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
As we begin this chapter we see that Yeshua went out of the house and sat by the sea side (verse 1). Multitudes gathered around Him, so He went into a ship and sat down, while the multitude stayed on the shore (verse 2). He then began to teach (verse 3). Notice that He taught the multitudes using parables. Please see previous post for Yeshua's reasons.
In this parable a sower (a farmer) went out to sow his seed. In ancient days, the farmer would simply scatter seed over his field. According to verse 4, some of the seed fell by the wayside, which is ground next to a road. It is hard and has not been prepared for planting. Since the seed could not penetrate the soil, birds came and ate up the seed. Other seed fell upon stony ground where there wasn't much dirt (verse 5). The seed sprang up, but it was spindly because of the lack of soil. Therefore, when the sun was up, the plants were scorched and they withered away (verse 6). Verse 7 says that some of the seed fell among thorns. They also sprouted, but ended up by being choked by the thorns. Finally, some of the seed fell into good ground (verse 8). This seed sprang up, grew, and brought forth fruit. Some produced an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, and some thirtyfold. Then Yeshua urged His hearers to not only hear, but to truly understand (verse 9).
At this point, Yeshua's disciples came to Him for some explanation of what the parable meant.
Matthew 13:18-23 (KJV)
18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Yeshua began His explanation by describing what the four types of soil represented. Verse 19 says that the seed that falls by the wayside represents one who hears the Word of the Kingdom, but doesn't understand it. At that point, the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.
Yeshua doesn't give us a lot of information, but with what He has told us, we can decipher what the rest is about. Obviously, the soil represents types of people who hear the Word of the Kingdom, which is the Word of God (the Bible). The Kingdom, itself, is not Heaven, but the Millennial Kingdom that Yeshua will physically set up upon His return. Currently, the Kingdom exists only spiritually and it is the Kingdom that we enter into when we are born again. The farmer can be none other than Yeshua, who was preaching and teaching about repentance and faith, and how to enter into the Kingdom. This first type of person hears the Word, but doesn't understand it, and Satan (the wicked one), represented by the birds, snatches the Word away.
In verse 20 the stony soil represents one who hears the Word of God and received it with joy. However, he doesn't have much root and so he becomes offended when tribulation and persecution arise because of the Word (verse 21).
The thorny soil represents one who hears the Word of God, but becomes unfruitful, because the care of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the Word (verse 22).
Lastly, the good soil represents one who hears the Word and understands it. This one will bear fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, and some thirtyfold (verse 23).
Stay tuned for part 2 of the Parable of the Sower!
Sunday, June 18, 2017
Teaching in Parables the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven
Matthew 13:10-17 (KJV)
10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
After the Pharisees had been given several warnings regarding their unbelief, Yeshua began a series of teachings on the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven. This time, however, He spoke only in parables when He addressed the multitudes. This apparently confused the disciples and they came to Him to inquire about His reasoning for this manner of teaching (verse 10). Quite plainly Yeshua explained that the mysteries of the Kingdom were given to the disciples and not to the multitudes (verse 11). He then quoted from Isaiah 6:9,10 for His answer (verses 14 and 15).
Isaiah 6:9-10 (KJV)
9 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.
It is obvious that Yeshua had begun to hide His message regarding the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven so that the multitudes, which included His opponents, would not understand what He was teaching. Yet, Yeshua said that the disciples' eyes and ears were blessed because they would be able to understand (verse 16).
Yeshua's hiding of His teaching was in no way an obstacle to anyone who seriously was searching for the truth of God. The principle expressed here relates how those who are open to the message of God will hear and understand, but those who are not open will not hear nor understand. Yeshua also seemed to be applying the "pearls before swine" advice.
Matthew 7:6 (KJV)
6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
The Pharisees had been given multiple opportunities to hear Yeshua and to repent, but most refused. Why should they be given any further pearls? The mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven would be given to those open to repentance and faith.
10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.
13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
After the Pharisees had been given several warnings regarding their unbelief, Yeshua began a series of teachings on the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven. This time, however, He spoke only in parables when He addressed the multitudes. This apparently confused the disciples and they came to Him to inquire about His reasoning for this manner of teaching (verse 10). Quite plainly Yeshua explained that the mysteries of the Kingdom were given to the disciples and not to the multitudes (verse 11). He then quoted from Isaiah 6:9,10 for His answer (verses 14 and 15).
Isaiah 6:9-10 (KJV)
9 And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.
It is obvious that Yeshua had begun to hide His message regarding the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven so that the multitudes, which included His opponents, would not understand what He was teaching. Yet, Yeshua said that the disciples' eyes and ears were blessed because they would be able to understand (verse 16).
Yeshua's hiding of His teaching was in no way an obstacle to anyone who seriously was searching for the truth of God. The principle expressed here relates how those who are open to the message of God will hear and understand, but those who are not open will not hear nor understand. Yeshua also seemed to be applying the "pearls before swine" advice.
Matthew 7:6 (KJV)
6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
The Pharisees had been given multiple opportunities to hear Yeshua and to repent, but most refused. Why should they be given any further pearls? The mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven would be given to those open to repentance and faith.
Sunday, May 31, 2015
The Parable of the Two Sons
Matthew 21:28-32 (KJV)
28 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.
29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.
30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
32 For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.
This parable doesn't need much explanation for us to comprehend Yeshua's meaning. The son that actually worked in his father's vineyard was the son that did his father's will. In the same way, it was the publicans and harlots who turned from their sins in repentance who did God the Father's will, rather than the religious leaders of the day who claimed to be faithful, yet failed to carry out John the Baptist's message of repentance.
Although the message is simple, we sometimes lose the gist because of the words. Repentance and belief are two of those words that can cause us to have a false understanding. Too often, due to our heritage of Greek-like thinking, repentance has come to mean a change in thought. Likewise, believing is viewed as something that occurs in our minds, but doesn't necessarily have any action associated with it. However, repentance and belief, in a Biblical (Jewish) sense are always action dependent. Basically, there is no repentance unless there is a change away from sinful behavior. There is also no belief unless it is accompanied by actions that are consistent with belief.
When we read Matthew 21:28-32 it is obvious that God's will is done when we respond obediently. This is our duty as believers. Otherwise, we are not believers. This same idea is expressed in the book of James.
James 2:20 (KJV)
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
If the church rightly viewed repentance and belief as action words, would there be a difference in our influence and success in bringing the message of Yeshua to a hurting and dying world?
28 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.
29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.
30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
32 For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.
This parable doesn't need much explanation for us to comprehend Yeshua's meaning. The son that actually worked in his father's vineyard was the son that did his father's will. In the same way, it was the publicans and harlots who turned from their sins in repentance who did God the Father's will, rather than the religious leaders of the day who claimed to be faithful, yet failed to carry out John the Baptist's message of repentance.
Although the message is simple, we sometimes lose the gist because of the words. Repentance and belief are two of those words that can cause us to have a false understanding. Too often, due to our heritage of Greek-like thinking, repentance has come to mean a change in thought. Likewise, believing is viewed as something that occurs in our minds, but doesn't necessarily have any action associated with it. However, repentance and belief, in a Biblical (Jewish) sense are always action dependent. Basically, there is no repentance unless there is a change away from sinful behavior. There is also no belief unless it is accompanied by actions that are consistent with belief.
When we read Matthew 21:28-32 it is obvious that God's will is done when we respond obediently. This is our duty as believers. Otherwise, we are not believers. This same idea is expressed in the book of James.
James 2:20 (KJV)
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
If the church rightly viewed repentance and belief as action words, would there be a difference in our influence and success in bringing the message of Yeshua to a hurting and dying world?
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Play Church
I was a little hesitant when I picked up this fictional novel about an associate pastor in a megachurch. It was supposed to be an extremely funny book that would keep the reader in stitches, so I decided to take a chance. I needed a little humor in my life anyway!
Well, the book was well written and actually pretty funny, so from that standpoint, it was well worth reading. However, the most important lesson I learned from it would probably have horrified the author! Yet, I'm glad that I read the book.
First off I'm not into megachurches. Members can and do get lost. Many church goers may actually like that so that they never have to take on any responsibility. In fact, after becoming totally exhausted in ministry at very small churches myself, I have many times threatened to go to a church where I could slip in on Sunday morning and slip out at the end where no one knew me or even seemed to care. I understand, but I don't believe that's what church is about.
However, I was appalled by the opulence in which the senior pastor and top people lived. Luxury cars, regular golf times at prestigious golf courses, magnificent offices, vacations in the Caribbean, and staff retreats at expensive spas were the way of life for this bunch. Was this author serious? I kept waiting for the cynical main character to disassociate himself from the church, wondering about the disconnect between the senior pastor and the third world where church and faith mean persecution, poverty, loss, and even death. But, the main character only spoke about how much good the church was doing, how many lives were changed, and how God had placed him in this wonderful church.
Also, I was bothered by the rigid set up of the Sunday morning service. It could only last exactly sixty minutes and the pastor's sermon could run no longer than twenty-five minutes. It was performance and entertainment oriented. The sanctuary was given a circus name.
Surprisingly, the main character seemed to have a personal relationship with God, although it got somewhat lost in all the references to popular rock music, movies and near swearing.
So why did I decide I was glad that I had read the book and what lesson had I learned?
There was a conversation in the book about someone wanting to become a Christian, but he was hesitant because it would mean giving up so many things. The associate pastor's answer blew me away. He said that Christianity was about freedom, even in those bad habits of his. He continued to say that God would change the believer's perspective and those habits just wouldn't seem so important any more. I almost fell off my chair! Most bad habits that we have are just plain sinful! God doesn't give us freedom to live in sin! It was then that I realized that this book was a prime example of where the church is going today. Satan must be ecstatic! There was no talk of sin or repentance. It was the "God accepts us just as we are" line that never gets around to stating how God will not leave us in sin. He demands repentance, the turning away from sin.
Where is the church headed? If we continue to follow in the line of this book, there soon won't be much of a church left, at least not the Church where there is repentance and true change to holy, righteous living. We'll just be playing church.
Well, the book was well written and actually pretty funny, so from that standpoint, it was well worth reading. However, the most important lesson I learned from it would probably have horrified the author! Yet, I'm glad that I read the book.
First off I'm not into megachurches. Members can and do get lost. Many church goers may actually like that so that they never have to take on any responsibility. In fact, after becoming totally exhausted in ministry at very small churches myself, I have many times threatened to go to a church where I could slip in on Sunday morning and slip out at the end where no one knew me or even seemed to care. I understand, but I don't believe that's what church is about.
However, I was appalled by the opulence in which the senior pastor and top people lived. Luxury cars, regular golf times at prestigious golf courses, magnificent offices, vacations in the Caribbean, and staff retreats at expensive spas were the way of life for this bunch. Was this author serious? I kept waiting for the cynical main character to disassociate himself from the church, wondering about the disconnect between the senior pastor and the third world where church and faith mean persecution, poverty, loss, and even death. But, the main character only spoke about how much good the church was doing, how many lives were changed, and how God had placed him in this wonderful church.
Also, I was bothered by the rigid set up of the Sunday morning service. It could only last exactly sixty minutes and the pastor's sermon could run no longer than twenty-five minutes. It was performance and entertainment oriented. The sanctuary was given a circus name.
Surprisingly, the main character seemed to have a personal relationship with God, although it got somewhat lost in all the references to popular rock music, movies and near swearing.
So why did I decide I was glad that I had read the book and what lesson had I learned?
There was a conversation in the book about someone wanting to become a Christian, but he was hesitant because it would mean giving up so many things. The associate pastor's answer blew me away. He said that Christianity was about freedom, even in those bad habits of his. He continued to say that God would change the believer's perspective and those habits just wouldn't seem so important any more. I almost fell off my chair! Most bad habits that we have are just plain sinful! God doesn't give us freedom to live in sin! It was then that I realized that this book was a prime example of where the church is going today. Satan must be ecstatic! There was no talk of sin or repentance. It was the "God accepts us just as we are" line that never gets around to stating how God will not leave us in sin. He demands repentance, the turning away from sin.
Where is the church headed? If we continue to follow in the line of this book, there soon won't be much of a church left, at least not the Church where there is repentance and true change to holy, righteous living. We'll just be playing church.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Our Never Ending Winter
The crash of thunder and a cat flying out of my bedroom woke me this morning. With high hopes, I went to the window desiring to see bare grass and rain, rather than the snow that was predicted. But my eye was met with a white wonderland of falling snowflakes and a snow covered lawn and driveway. Where is spring?
Online there are many expressing the same feelings of frustration and impatience. Punxatawney Phil (the groundhog) has even been indicted for falsely predicting an early spring. I've also seen an image of him lying on the ground with a gun next to him, obviously dead from the remorse he's felt over his error.
As we sigh and realize that there's not much to be done about the never ending winter we're experiencing this year, we still can look at the calendar and know that this cannot last really forever. In just a couple of months our a/c's will be running at full blast and we'll be trying to imagine what that cold snow was like.
This is life, and our winter is just a small glimpse of a larger panorama that encompasses all our life experiences. There are good times and bad. We look forward to wonderful events and we dread the unknowns. We laugh. We cry.
But there is God! When we belong to Him, He holds our lives in His hands. Nothing happens without His knowledge and nothing happens that He didn't allow. We can trust Him to take us through life and bring us safely to eternity's doors.
Have you repented of your sins and turned to God, trusting in Yeshua's righteousness, which is available because of Yeshua's death and resurrection? If so, you will overcome the never ending winter and will find an eternal life with Yeshua. If not, there will never be an end to life's winter. Please repent today!
Online there are many expressing the same feelings of frustration and impatience. Punxatawney Phil (the groundhog) has even been indicted for falsely predicting an early spring. I've also seen an image of him lying on the ground with a gun next to him, obviously dead from the remorse he's felt over his error.
As we sigh and realize that there's not much to be done about the never ending winter we're experiencing this year, we still can look at the calendar and know that this cannot last really forever. In just a couple of months our a/c's will be running at full blast and we'll be trying to imagine what that cold snow was like.
This is life, and our winter is just a small glimpse of a larger panorama that encompasses all our life experiences. There are good times and bad. We look forward to wonderful events and we dread the unknowns. We laugh. We cry.
But there is God! When we belong to Him, He holds our lives in His hands. Nothing happens without His knowledge and nothing happens that He didn't allow. We can trust Him to take us through life and bring us safely to eternity's doors.
Have you repented of your sins and turned to God, trusting in Yeshua's righteousness, which is available because of Yeshua's death and resurrection? If so, you will overcome the never ending winter and will find an eternal life with Yeshua. If not, there will never be an end to life's winter. Please repent today!
Thursday, September 20, 2012
What was Jesus' Message - Pt. 3
When God created the world it was a perfect place. Adam and Eve, our first parents, lived with no pain, no sadness, no death, and no evil. They even met with God.
Genesis 3:8a (KJV)
8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day:
Yet we learn from that same chapter that Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating of the one tree that they were told not to, after listening to the voice of Satan. That disobedience resulted in their eventual physical death as well as their spiritual death. They lost the relationship that they had with God. Not only were the humans affected, but the entire world with them began a process of decay.
Romans 8:22 (KJV)
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
The world was given over to Satan's authority.
2 Corinthians 4:4 (KJV)
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
This is the situation that mankind was in prior to the coming of Jesus.
In parts 1 & 2 of my previous posts we learned that Jesus' message was, "Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17). If Jesus is the king of a spiritual kingdom (kingdom of heaven) how was His kingdom "at hand"?
The Free Online Dictionary defines "at hand" as 1). Close by; near and 2). Soon in time; imminent. How does this fit with Jesus' statement?
A king is the representative of his kingdom or nation. When he enters another country the king brings, after a fashion, the kingdom with him. This is what happened when Jesus came to this earth. He, as king of His kingdom, as its representative, officially brought the kingdom with Him. This is how the kingdom of God was "close by".
If you also remember, the subjects of the kingdom of God are those people who have repented of their sins and have been saved. They then also become representatives of the kingdom. As the number of subjects grows the kingdom also grows. This is another way the kingdom is "close by".
Luke 17:20-21 (KJV)
20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
In this Luke passage this idea is confirmed. Jesus was saying that the kingdom of God is spiritual; we can't see it. But it exists in the hearts and minds of those who have been born again. Hence, the kingdom is "close by".
But as I said in the prior post the kingdom of God will not always be a spiritual kingdom alone. When Jesus returns to this earth He will bring the kingdom with Him and will establish a physical kingdom here on earth, centered in Jerusalem.
Jeremiah 3:17 (KJV)
17 At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.
Daniel 7:13-14 (KJV)
13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Daniel speaks about the Son of man (the Messiah/Jesus) receiving that kingdom on earth. Jeremiah pinpoints the throne's location as Jerusalem. This kingdom will come at the end of the age when Jesus returns. This is how the kingdom is "soon in time".
We don't know when the end will come. During the first century the Christian believers thought that it would come in their lifetime. It did not. We don't know if it will come in our lifetime. But every day brings us closer to the return of Jesus. We are to wait and watch for it. We are to live as if today could be the day. This is how the kingdom is "soon in time".
So, we have a kingdom that exists spiritually now, but will in the future become a physical kingdom. Satan will no longer be the ruler, but rather Jesus will be king.
And when Jesus returns our world will be restored to the condition that existed during Adam and Eve's time before they sinned. Again, there will be no pain, sadness, death, or evil. We will be able to meet with God.
Previous: Part 2
Genesis 3:8a (KJV)
8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day:
Yet we learn from that same chapter that Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating of the one tree that they were told not to, after listening to the voice of Satan. That disobedience resulted in their eventual physical death as well as their spiritual death. They lost the relationship that they had with God. Not only were the humans affected, but the entire world with them began a process of decay.
Romans 8:22 (KJV)
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
The world was given over to Satan's authority.
2 Corinthians 4:4 (KJV)
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
This is the situation that mankind was in prior to the coming of Jesus.
In parts 1 & 2 of my previous posts we learned that Jesus' message was, "Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17). If Jesus is the king of a spiritual kingdom (kingdom of heaven) how was His kingdom "at hand"?
The Free Online Dictionary defines "at hand" as 1). Close by; near and 2). Soon in time; imminent. How does this fit with Jesus' statement?
A king is the representative of his kingdom or nation. When he enters another country the king brings, after a fashion, the kingdom with him. This is what happened when Jesus came to this earth. He, as king of His kingdom, as its representative, officially brought the kingdom with Him. This is how the kingdom of God was "close by".
If you also remember, the subjects of the kingdom of God are those people who have repented of their sins and have been saved. They then also become representatives of the kingdom. As the number of subjects grows the kingdom also grows. This is another way the kingdom is "close by".
Luke 17:20-21 (KJV)
20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
In this Luke passage this idea is confirmed. Jesus was saying that the kingdom of God is spiritual; we can't see it. But it exists in the hearts and minds of those who have been born again. Hence, the kingdom is "close by".
But as I said in the prior post the kingdom of God will not always be a spiritual kingdom alone. When Jesus returns to this earth He will bring the kingdom with Him and will establish a physical kingdom here on earth, centered in Jerusalem.
Jeremiah 3:17 (KJV)
17 At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.
Daniel 7:13-14 (KJV)
13 I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.
14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Daniel speaks about the Son of man (the Messiah/Jesus) receiving that kingdom on earth. Jeremiah pinpoints the throne's location as Jerusalem. This kingdom will come at the end of the age when Jesus returns. This is how the kingdom is "soon in time".
We don't know when the end will come. During the first century the Christian believers thought that it would come in their lifetime. It did not. We don't know if it will come in our lifetime. But every day brings us closer to the return of Jesus. We are to wait and watch for it. We are to live as if today could be the day. This is how the kingdom is "soon in time".
So, we have a kingdom that exists spiritually now, but will in the future become a physical kingdom. Satan will no longer be the ruler, but rather Jesus will be king.
And when Jesus returns our world will be restored to the condition that existed during Adam and Eve's time before they sinned. Again, there will be no pain, sadness, death, or evil. We will be able to meet with God.
Previous: Part 2
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
What was Jesus' Message? Pt. 2
What was Jesus' message? If you remember from part one, it is contained in the book of Matthew. Here it is again.
Matthew 4:12-17 (KJV)
12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;
13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
14 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;
16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
As Jesus began His ministry He began preaching, "Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." In part one I discussed how repentance is at the center of everything that Jesus was trying to convey to His followers. But at the end of Jesus' statement we find the reason for our need of repentance. He informed us something about a kingdom and something about it being at hand. Let's look at one of these items today.
The kingdom. Jesus called it the kingdom of heaven. What does this mean exactly? The first thing that we need to understand is that Jesus, His disciples, and His original audience were Jews. Because of this Matthew wrote in a very Jewish way. They realized that the name of God was holy and not something that was to be spoken or written in a casual manner. You can see this when you read Scripture. In English we often see the following:
Psalm 8:1 (KJV)
1 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
Notice how the first "LORD" is spelled in all capitals, while the second "Lord" is spelled with a capital "L" and then the small letters "o", "r", and "d". In the Hebrew the first "LORD" is actually God's name, spelled with four Hebrew letters. The second "Lord" is just that, the Hebrew word for "Lord". The name of God was not usually spoken or rewritten outright, but another word would be used in Its place. In the case of the "kingdom of heaven" it is likely that "heaven" was also used as a circumlocution, a way of talking or writing around the actual word. Likely, "heaven" stands for "God" or His name. We see "kingdom of God" more commonly written in the book of Luke, but they probably mean the same thing. So this kingdom that Jesus is speaking about is God's kingdom.
But what is the kingdom of God? A kingdom is a realm that is ruled by a sovereign, in this case God. But what would constitute the realm that God is sovereign over? As creator of the world, it could be argued that He is sovereign over everything. But as we look at the world today, we see a lot of evil that doesn't appear to be directly addressed by God, nor does there seem to be any physical entity that falls under the jurisdiction of God either. Because God is a spirit we can look to the spiritual. If we believe in God then it seems likely that His kingdom is spiritual and beyond our physical senses. Jesus says this in John.
John 18:36 (KJV)
36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
Jesus is telling us that, as God, His kingdom is spiritual and not physical. Yet the word "now" implies that His kingdom will one day be physical. This agrees with Old Testament teaching that says that Messiah (God) will one day rule a kingdom from Jerusalem.
Zechariah 14:9 (KJV)
9 And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.
But for now there is only a spiritual kingdom of God.
So who are King Jesus' subjects? After all, you can't have a kingdom without subjects. This brings us back to Jesus' message of repentance. It is through repentance that we can be saved. By being born again and aligning one's life with God we become those subjects and a part of God's kingdom.
My next post will deal with what "at hand" means. Stay tuned.
Previous: Part 1
Next: Part 3
Thursday, September 13, 2012
What was Jesus' Message?
Most people understand that Jesus was a great man, compassionate, forgiving, good, the kind of man that we should emulate. Then there are those that know He is more than that. They know He is God as well as being human. He deserves our worship, honor, and praise. They know that He died on a cross to pay the penalty for mankind's sin. But do many know what His message was really all about? Was it the salvation of souls? Was it the glorification of God? Or was it to establish a kingdom? Perhaps you're answering "yes" to all of these. He certainly did all these things. But if you could sum up His message what would it be?
Matthew 4:12-17 (KJV)
12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;
13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
14 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;
16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
This passage of Scripture describes the beginning of Jesus' ministry. Right after John the Baptist was cast into prison Jesus left Nazareth and dwelt in Capernaum, which was located along the coast of the Sea of Galilee on the border of the tribal lands of Zebulon and Naphtali. This action was a fulfillment of a prophecy in Isaiah (9:1-2). The people in Zebulon and Naphtali would see a great light. Notice how the people are described. They are sitting in darkness and in the region and shadow of death. This is an apt description not only of the Jews of Zebulon and Naphtali but of all mankind. Because of sin we live in a kind of darkness and are living under the constant threat or shadow of death. Jesus is the light that came. Verse 17 of Matthew then tells us what Jesus' ministry and message were about. Jesus preached the need for repentance. The reason for that repentance is that the kingdom of heaven was coming and was near.
What exactly is repentance? We often think of it as "needing to say we're sorry". But how often does someone say he or she is sorry and then repeats the offense? This is not what true repentance is.
Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language gives the following definitions:
REPENT'ANCE, n.
1. Sorrow for any thing
done or said; the pain or grief which a person experiences in
consequence of the injury or inconvenience produced by his own conduct. 2.
In theology, the pain, regret or affliction which a person feels on
account of his past conduct, because it exposes him to punishment. This
sorrow proceeding merely from the fear of punishment, is called legal
repentance, as being excited by the terrors of legal penalties, and it
may exist without an amendment of life. 3. Real
penitence; sorrow or deep contrition for sin, as an offense and dishonor
to God, a violation of his holy law, and the basest ingratitude towards
a Being of infinite benevolence. This is called evangelical
repentance, and is accompanied and followed by amendment of life. Repentance is a change of mind, or a conversion from sin to God. Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation. 2Cor. 7. Matt. 3. Repentance is the relinquishment of any practice, from conviction that it has offended God.
The repentance that Jesus was speaking about is a sorrow for sin that results in a change of mind and a change of action. With true repentance the offender turns away from his or her sin and turns to God. This type of change in mind and behavior further results in salvation, the reconciliation between God and the sinner.
Now, if you are a church attender, do you hear the message of repentance in your church? If repentance is Jesus' message shouldn't the church's message be the same? And if salvation is dependent on repentance how can a person be saved without it? Many of our churches today have lost sight of the message of Jesus and are not preaching repentance, but rather some watered down "feel good" message that doesn't have the power to effect much of anything. We need to remind our pastors and teachers that we need and want to hear about repentance. We need to stand for the hard truths about a sinful mankind and the only way to become right with God, and that is through repentance.
Next: Part 2
Matthew 4:12-17 (KJV)
12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;
13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:
14 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;
16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
This passage of Scripture describes the beginning of Jesus' ministry. Right after John the Baptist was cast into prison Jesus left Nazareth and dwelt in Capernaum, which was located along the coast of the Sea of Galilee on the border of the tribal lands of Zebulon and Naphtali. This action was a fulfillment of a prophecy in Isaiah (9:1-2). The people in Zebulon and Naphtali would see a great light. Notice how the people are described. They are sitting in darkness and in the region and shadow of death. This is an apt description not only of the Jews of Zebulon and Naphtali but of all mankind. Because of sin we live in a kind of darkness and are living under the constant threat or shadow of death. Jesus is the light that came. Verse 17 of Matthew then tells us what Jesus' ministry and message were about. Jesus preached the need for repentance. The reason for that repentance is that the kingdom of heaven was coming and was near.
What exactly is repentance? We often think of it as "needing to say we're sorry". But how often does someone say he or she is sorry and then repeats the offense? This is not what true repentance is.
Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language gives the following definitions:
REPENT'ANCE, n.
The repentance that Jesus was speaking about is a sorrow for sin that results in a change of mind and a change of action. With true repentance the offender turns away from his or her sin and turns to God. This type of change in mind and behavior further results in salvation, the reconciliation between God and the sinner.
Now, if you are a church attender, do you hear the message of repentance in your church? If repentance is Jesus' message shouldn't the church's message be the same? And if salvation is dependent on repentance how can a person be saved without it? Many of our churches today have lost sight of the message of Jesus and are not preaching repentance, but rather some watered down "feel good" message that doesn't have the power to effect much of anything. We need to remind our pastors and teachers that we need and want to hear about repentance. We need to stand for the hard truths about a sinful mankind and the only way to become right with God, and that is through repentance.
Next: Part 2
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