Lesson 3165

 (Lesson 3165)(08-31-20) Matthew 12:9-21

    “And when he was departed thence, he went into their synagogue: And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him. And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all; And charged them that they should not make him known: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus restored a man’s withered hand and again rebuked the Pharisees for their unbelief.  

    By His actions, Jesus also fulfilled a prophesy that had been made by Isaias.~

Lesson 3164

 (Lesson 3164)(08-30-20) Matthew 12:1-8

    “At that time Jesus went on the sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; How he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.”

    In Today’s quote, Jesus exposed the Pharisees for the hypocrites they were when He allowed His disciples to eat from the cornfield. The Pharisees were doing what many so called Christians do today. They condemn the acts of some while ignoring their own sinful shortcomings. “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?”~ 

Lesson 3163

 (Lesson 3163)(08-29-20) Matthew 11:20-29

    Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus berated those cities where His word had been rejected. He then made one of the most beautiful and sacred offers that is to be found in the New Testament. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”~

Lesson 3162

 (Lesson 3162)(08-28-20) Matthew 11:16-19

    “But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus condemned the Jews for their having ignored John the Baptist and having failed to hear His own call for their repentence.~

Lesson 3161

 (Lesson 3161)(08-26-20) Matthew 11:7-15

    “ And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus extolled John the Baptist as far greater than all the prophets. Jesus praised John as the man who brought the message from God that eternal salvation was close at hand, even with Jesus the promised Messiah.~

Lesson 3160

 (Lesson 3160)(08-26-20) Matthew 11:1-6

    “And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities. Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.” 

    In today’s lesson, Jesus sent a message to John the Baptist confirming by the many miracles he had performed, that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. The Savior of all who will believe.~

Lesson 3159

 (Lesson 3159)(08-25-20) Matthew 34-42

    “ Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus clearly established that He had not come to the earth as a peace maker, but rather, He came to bring a message that would put enormous pressure on even the closest of earthly ties. 

    Jesus made it very clear that a person who claims to follow Him must go ALL in. There can be nothing that stands between a follower of Jesus Christ and his/her faith in the same. 

    Sadly, there are literally millions of so-called Christians who put water ‘baptism’ between themselves and their faith in Jesus Christ. 

    One claiming to believe (have faith) that the blood of Jesus Christ remits sin, then also claims to believe (have faith)  that Jesus’ blood can’t remit sin unless one submits oneself to a water bath creates an oxymoron, a situation that, according to Jesus’ own words, cannot be. 

As Jesus said in today’s quote, ones faith must be wholly and completely in Him, it cannot be watered down, or misdirected, by something else, such as water baptism.~ 

Lesson 3158

 (Lesson 3158)(08-24-20) Matthew 10:33

    “ But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.”

    Today’s is a very short but very powerful lesson. It is very clear and needs no further explanation.

Lesson 3157

 (Lesson 3157)(08-23-20) Matthew 10:23-32

    “But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.” 

    In today’s quote, Jesus continued to prepare His apostles, along with all of Christianity, for the things they would face while preaching of His coming.~ Thank God for those who stayed the course.~ 

Lesson 3156

 (Lesson 3156)(08-22-20) Matthew 10:21-22

     “And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.”

    The horrible things that Jesus prophsied, in today’s quote, actually occurred during the dark ages when the Roman Catholic Church ruled much of the known western world. Owning any part of the word of God, or meeting to praise Him anywhere other than in a Catholic sanctioned gathering, brought the death penalty.

    Thank God those of us who live today have escaped those horrible times; However, the need for the faithful to hang on tight to our faith is more important now than ever before.~

Lesson 3155

 (Lesson 3155)(08-21-20) Matthew 10:16-20

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

    In today’s quote Jesus warned His apostles about the troubles that lay ahead of them. He then comforted them. Telling them not to worry about what the should say because they would we given words by which they could best promote the will of God and defend themselves against to who would accuse them.           Today the children of God are given those same assurances, yet our grossly over educated ministers of the word, study for hours learning how to put together a sermon. Wouldn’t it be so much better if they all relied on God to provide the words instead of the “bible scholars”?~ 

Lesson 3154

 (Lesson 3154)(08-20-20) Matthew 10:11-15

    “And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus told His apostles that, as they travelled, if they came upon a place where the people refused to hear Jesus’ message, they were to “shake of the dust” of their feet. That means they were to forget that place and treat is as if it didn’t exist.~

Lesson 3153

 (Lesson 3153)(08-19-20) Matthew 10:7-10

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

    The twelve apostles were sent out to preach “the kingdom of heaven is at hand”. That meant that the new law of faith was soon to be completed. The apostles were also told to rely on their faith to provide for all they would need. Wouldn’t it be a wonderful if those of us who claim to be followers of Christ today had such faith?

Lesson 3152

 (Lesson 3152)(08-18-20) Matthew 10:5-6

    “These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

    It is very important to remember that when Jesus sent our His twelve apostles, as is related in today’s quote, He explicitly commanded them to teach ONLY the Jews. Ther were to go only to “the lost sheep of Israel”. The reason was that, at that time, Jesus and His apostles were still bound by the rules of the old Law. The apostles could not teach Christianity until AFTER Jesus had completed His divine mission and had ascended back to heaven. They were to preach that “the kingdom of God is at hand”, thus preparing the Jews for the coming of the new law of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.~

Lesson 3151

 (Lesson 3151)(08-17-20) Matthew 10:1-4

    “And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus named His twelve apostles and gave them power to work miracles.~

Lesson 3150

 (Lesson 3150)(08-16-20) Matthew 9:32-38

    As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil. And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel. But the Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils. And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”

    As Jesus traveled throughout the region and made note of all the people who were following Him, He told his disciples that the fields were ripe for the harvest but there were too few to work the harvest. 

    The same is still true today. It seems that the vast majority of those who claim to be the children of God have become content to faithfully warm their favorite pew in church two or three times a week and leave the spreading of God’s amazing grace through Jesus Christ, to  someone else. The lost masses of the world won’t be found in a chuch pew. It is our Christian obligation to seek out and teach every lost soul who is willing to listen. What a sad example we are setting.~

Lesson 3149

 (Lesson 3149)(08-15-20) Matthew 9:27-31

    “And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us. And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it. But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus performed another miracle and gave sight to two blind men asking that they tell no one. After which, just as Jesus knew they would, and just as we would today, they spread the news to everyone. ~ 

Lesson 3148

 (Lesson 3148)(08-14-20) Matthew 9:18-26

    “While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples. And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose. And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus, because of their faith, healed the ailing woman and raised the ruler’s daughter from the dead. Again, what an awesome God we serve.~

Lesson 3147

 (Lesson 3147)(08-1-23020) Matthew 9:14-17

    “Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.”

    In today’s quote, when Jesus was challenged as to why His followers weren’t fasting as was required under the law, Jesus, by drawing an analogy, explained that the old laws of the Jews could not be applied within the new law of faith. 

    Jesus’ disciples would be required to put away the old laws of the Jews. They would, while He was with them, learn and practice the new law of faith; Therefore, they were not obliged to fast while Jesus was yet with them.

    Sadly, the majority of today’s “Christians” still cling to, and attempt force upon others, elements of the old Jewish law. Many of those old laws, such as those pertaining to water baptisms, are totally misunderstood and misapplied by Roman Catholicism and many other religious sects.~ 

Lesson 3146

 (Lesson 3146)(08-12-2020) Matthew 9:9-13

    “And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him. And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus chose Matthew to be one of His apostles. He also related another powerful lesson to the Pharisees when He said, “I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” 

    Sadly, today, the preaching and teaching of the doctrine of Jesus Christ is, for the most part, limited to those who faithfully assemble in a church building somewhere. That, although also necessary to fulfill the duty of the children of God, flies directly into the face of what Jesus intended for His disciples (us) to do. That fact is evidenced by what Jesus told the Pharisees. We are to take the divine message of God’s amazing, saving grace into every corner of the world. If we don’t teach in the places where the lost are, most will never be reached with the gospel. What better place is there to teach God’s word than among the lost, wherever they are.~

Lesson 3145

 (Lesson 3145)(08-11-2020) Matthew 9:1-8

    “And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. And he arose, and departed to his house. But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.”

    Today’s quote relates, not only that Jesus, the man, has the power to heal the sick, it also relates that sickness is caused by sin. Without sin, there is no sickness.~

Lesson 3144

 (Lesson 3144)(08-10-2020) Matthew 8:28-34

    “ And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way. And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding. So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine. And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters. And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils. And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coast.”

    Today’s quote relates that when Jesus caused the demons to run into the sea to die, the people of Gergesenes were afraid, and asked Jesus to leave their land. ~

Lesson 3143

 (Lesson 3143)(08-09-2020) Matthew 8:23-27

    “And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!”

    In today’s quote, Jesus amazed the men with Him when He calmed the sea. What an awesome God we serve.~

Lesson 3142

 (Lesson 3142)(08-08-2020) Matthew 8:18-22

    “Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side. And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.”

    Today’s quote relates that there is NOTHING that should stand between a child of God and his/her duty to serve the Lord. Not even the burying of our dead.~

Lesson 3141

 (Lesson 3141)(08-07-2020) Matthew 8:14-17

    “And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever. And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them. When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.”

     Today’s quote relates how Jesus continued to heal the sick, starting with Peter’s mother-in-law.~

Lesson 3140

(Lesson 3140)(08-06-2020) Matthew 8:5-13

    “And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.”

    Today’s quote relates the perfect example of how absolute faith in our Lord Jesus Christ can accomplish anything our hearts desire up to, and including, everlasting life.

    The Centurian mentioned in today’s lesson had just such a faith. He KNEW that if Jesus desired that the servant should be healed, he would be immediately healed. 

    Jesus also made the point that there was/is no such faith among the Jews because their faith was/is in themselves.

    What a blessed, loving and charitable Savior we serve.~

Lesson 3139

(Lesson 3139)(08-05-2020) Matthew 8:1-4

    “When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.”

    As today’s lesson relates, after Jesus had healed the leper, and in order to remain within the boundaries of the law Himself, Jesus told the man to tell no one, and to go and do those things that were required of him under the law by offering a sacrifice.

    It is important to note that before the leper could have made that sacrifice under the law, he would have also been required to have been baptized or ritually washed, or cleansed in water. From that requirement under the old Jewish law comes the confusion about what water baptism means to so many today.  Remember, Jesus fulfilled all the requirements of the law for those who will believe in Him.~

Lesson 3138

(Lesson 3138)(08-04-2020) Matthew 7:24-29
    “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus, in an analogy, related the fate that awaits those who take on His righteousness by faith in Him, and those who don’t. ~

Lesson 3137

(Lesson 3137)(08-03-2020) Matthew 7:21-23
    “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

    Today’s quote corresponds to the warning that Jesus gave in yesterday’s lesson; Wherein, He made it clear that those, no matter how religious and well meaning they appear, who choose to practice and preach extraneous things that lay outside His explicit instructions, will be cast out in the final judgment, as surely as those who openly reject Him.
    The ONLY righteousness necessary to enter into God’s kingdom and receive eternal salvation is the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ that is automatically imputed into those who put their faith in Him. Righteousness CANNOT be achieved by any work of mankind, encluding submission to water baptism, or any other physical action.~

Lesson 3136

(Lesson 3136)(08-02-2020) Matthew 7:15-20
    “ Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.”

    Today’s quote warns us to be careful of people who show all the superficial, outward signs of Godliness, but subtly warp the meaning and intent of God’s word to fit their own purpose. It warns of those ‘Sunday only’ Christians who are always first to quote scripture about anything, and who are last to actaully practice the full intent of that scripture.
    Satan is alive and well, he was loosed on the earth to deceive as many as will follow him until Jesus returns to claim His own. Satan has all the tools he needs and he uses them with the skill and expedience of a true expert. He sends his silver tongued angels to, ever so slightly, distort the doctrine of Jesus Christ by implying that complete faith in the virgin born life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ is not the only prerequisite to eternal salvation.
    The path to the “strait gate” should be the ultimate aim of every serious bible student. Taking it upon themselves to dig out the true intent of God’s word, “rightly dividing the word of truth” and avoiding those who are in business with Satan and are out to deceive.
   “By their fruits ye shall know them."~

Lesson 3135

(Lesson 3135)(08-01-2020) Matthew 7:13-14
    “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

    Today’s quote is one of the most glaring warnings to those who seek eternal salvation that is to be found in the entire New Testament.
    Therein, Jesus, speaking of gaining eternal life, warned us to avoid the most commonly accepted, multi step rituals to which most of today’s so called Christians have given themselves over. Instead, we are to study the pure doctrine of Jesus Christ to find the exact path that will lead to everlasting life. It is so simple that the majority of all the earth’s population will overlook it.
    A complete, Holy Spirit guided, study of God’s word establishes that there is indeed ONLY ONE means by which we can be saved. Paul made that very clear in Ephesians 2:8-9 which says, For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast”.
    Most of today’s “Christian” religions contend that there are a series of hoops such as water baptisms etc. that one must jump through before that one can be saved. Just as Paul said in the quote above, the ONLY means to eternal life is by FAITH and that FAITH must be in the wholly righteous blood of Jesus Christ. Faith in anything else as a part of salvation is a form of idol worship. If one could be eternally saved by washing in water, there would have been no reason for Jesus to be crucified. Neither does Jesus need the help of a water bath to save a soul.~