Lesson 840

(Lesson 840)(12-14-13) Matthew 23:1-12;

"Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted."

This lesson demonstrates the hypocrisy of the Jewish hierarchy leading up to, and during, the days of Christ.

By defining what we shouldn't be, Jesus made it very clear what we are to be.

Sadly, just as in Jesus' day, there are hypocrites everywhere. We should, as Christians, separate ourselves from them, and remain humble in God's grace.

We don't have the right to judge the sins of others so long as we ourselves, are laden with sin (which is as long as we live on earth). Therefore we should spend ALL our time teaching the amazing grace of God through Jesus Christ, and ignoring the sins of others, leaving the judging to the only qualified judge, God our Father!~

Lesson 839

(Lesson 839)(12-13-13) Matthew 22:41-46;

"While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David. He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? If David then call him Lord, how is he his son? And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions."

Today's lesson explains what is to some a mystery. Prophesies in the old testament tell us that the Messiah, Jesus our blessed redeemer, would belong to, and come from, the house (lineage) of king David.

In the beginning of the New Testament, Matthew chapter one, that earthly lineage is established. That first chapter of Matthew traces the blood line from Abraham all the way down to Jesus, through Joseph, His foster father. Therein lies the mystery. How could Jesus be of the "house of David" if He had no blood ties to Joseph and God is His actual Father?

The answer appears complex at first glance, but can be explained. Because of Mary's immaculate conception, Joseph was, by all earthly standards, the father of Jesus. Joseph was recognized as such by all who knew them, "Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, THE SON OF JOSEPH". (John 1:45)

To those of us who understand the virgin birth, God is the true Father of Jesus and the only one that matters.

In today's lesson, Jesus explained that He was who David, in spirit, referred to as "my Lord", "He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him saying, The LORD" (God) "said unto my Lord" (Jesus)", Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool? If David then call him Lord, HOW IS HE HIS SON?" This was David referring to God speaking to Jesus.

Jesus was neither the son of David, nor was He the son of Joseph. Jesus was Himself, God in the flesh.

Jesus was referred to as the Son of David because His foster father Joseph was from that bloodline. He was referred to as the Son of God because He was conceived by the Spirit of God and had no legitimate earthly father.

I hope I have made this plain enough to understand. If I have totally confused you, please ask direct questions and I will try to explain further.

There are NO defining contradictions in God's word. If we take the time to make a complete study, everything that appears contradictory can be easily reconciled.~

Lesson 838

(Lesson 838)(12-12-13) Matthew 22:34-40;

"But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together. Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

Today's lesson contains a definition of "sin" that I believe is overlooked, or simply ignored, by the majority of modern gospel preachers, and teachers.

There is no more honorable and worthwhile calling than that of preaching or teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. However, far too many who undertake this calling spend the vast majority of their pulpit time condemning the "sins" of the world and referring to scripture that pertains only to the Jewish race.

There is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING we, as Christians, can, or are even scripturally authorized to do, that can in any way affect "sin", one way or the other.
Sin is present everywhere, it always has been and will always be until Jesus returns to destroy it. Not nearly enough time is spent simply spreading the glorious good news that through faith in Jesus Christ, the lost can attain eternal life.

When modern "ministers of the gospel" stop wasting valuable pulpit time on scripturally illegitimate rants about how evil the world has gotten, the purpose of the coming of Jesus Christ will be much more affectively served.

In today's lesson, Jesus, when asked, "Master, which is the great commandment in the law?", responded, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.".

Take note that the question that was asked restricted Jesus' answer to the "Great commandment IN THE LAW". His answer was that the first of the Ten Commandments was the "great" commandment. With that, we should also remember that Jesus, upon His death, burial, resurrection and ascension, FULFILLED the "law" for the redeemed, and released all the Jews, who would accept His saving grace, from it.

Jesus went further to say, "And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

Although the Ten Commandments had no great nor second great commandment, Jesus, by identifying these two "great" commandments, provided that if we love God with all of our being and love those around us as we love ourselves, we will have obeyed, what is today, the entire commandment of God.

What we should condemn as "sins" today, are only those things that are done that ultimately offend, hurt, or cause harm to someone else. We are neither qualified, nor scripturally authorized, to condemn the actions (sins) of others, EVER. If we would simply treat everyone around us as we would have them treat us, we would all be sinless by the standard Jesus defined.~

Lesson 837

(Lesson 837)(12-11-13) Today's lesson is from Matthew 22:23-33;

"The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother: Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh. And last of all the woman died also. Therefore in the resurrection whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine."

This a very short lesson and applies only to a very few people today. We should note that Jesus was answering a question that was posed to Him by a group of men who did not believe in the resurrection. Therefore Jesus provided a, more or less, flippant answer in which He said that in heaven we will be transformed into a whole new existence wherein the rules of this earthly life does not apply.

Upon our resurrection we will become "as the angels of God" and will no longer be bound by carnal rules and designations.

By saying, "God is not the God of the dead, but of the living." it appears that Jesus' intention was more to rid Himself of the badgering Sadducees than it was the explaining of heavenly marital rules.~

Lesson 836

(Lesson 836)(12-10-13) Today's lesson comes from Matthew 22:15-22;

"Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way."

Today's is a simple lesson but one that many "Christians", out of apparent greed for worldly wealth, sometimes choose to ignore.

A "tribute" is simply what we call today, a tax. Jesus said, "render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's". That means that our "tribute" or taxes, already belong to the government (Caesar) because the government (Caesar) created it.

When Jesus referred to the image on the coin, He made the specific point that money is not something that is part of the wealth of God. He, in essence, said money belongs to those who created it, and that it should mean nothing to those of us who place our faith in Him.

Even though there are several New Testament scriptures advising against "saving" large amounts of money and/or material goods, so-called Christian people still defend their unfounded need to do it.

Peter tells us how we, as Christian people, are to perform our duties, "The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock." (1 Peter 5:1-3)~

Lesson 835

(Lesson 835)(12-09-13) Today's lesson is taken from Matthew 22:1-14;

"And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. For many are called, but few are chosen."

Yesterday's lesson told us how the coming of Christ took away the "chosen people" status from the Jewish nation and offered redemption to the whole world. Today's lesson is a continuance of that lesson.
Using the parable of the wedding, Jesus demonstrated that a means to eternal salvation would be taken from, exclusively, the Jewish race and opened to everyone, both Jew and Gentile, good and bad. He also said that, in the end, His judgment would separate those who are wearing the "wedding garment" (His righteousness) from those who have rejected it, "For many are called, but few are chosen." In order to qualify for eternal salvation, we must, through faith, put on the "wedding garment" which in reality, is the righteousness of Christ which is freely offered to us through His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension.

There are no hoops to jump through, no physical work to be done, no extra steps to be taken, all a lost soul must do is believe that Jesus is the resurrected Son of God and that lost soul will be saved, "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:14-16)

"And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED, and thy house."

(Acts 16:30-31) "Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin." (Romans 4:4-8) "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized" (submerged) "into Christ have put on Christ." (And His righteousness)(Galatians 3:26-27)~

Lesson 834

(Lesson 834)(12-08-13) Today's lesson is taken from Matthew 21:28-46;

"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. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. 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. 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. Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons. Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet."

Jesus presented the two quoted parables to show the high priests how, because of their disobedience, the "kingdom" would be taken away from the Jewish nation and given to the Gentiles. The parables also explained how God had sent many prophets, including John the Baptist, trying to get the Jewish hierarchy to repent their disobedience and to turn back to God. The Jews, however,continually rejected their pleas and even had John and the other prophets abused, imprisoned, and killed.

Jesus knew that the Jews would also eventually kill Him.

A few days ago, we touched on the importance of the coming of Jesus Christ as it related to the "God's chosen" status of the Jewish people. Seeing that there are literally millions of "Christian" people who today believe the scripturally misguided contention that the Jewish bloodline is what determines "God's chosen" status, we should do all we can to educate them that ONLY we, the redeemed, those of us whom have been saved by the grace of God through faith in the soul saving sacrifice of Jesus Christ, are now the "chosen people" of God. That "chosen" status, of course, also applies to any Jews whom have placed the faith in Jesus.

Verse 44 of today's quote makes it as plain as it can be spoken, "Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof."

As these lessons progress, we will determine more evidence that the Jewish nation holds no particular scriptural significance to modern Christians who are not themselves Jews.~