Lesson 1716

(Lesson 1716)(06-21-16) Luke 6:20-38

"And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets. But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."

In today's quote, Jesus laid out the markers for what it takes to be seen as a true Christian. Herein, Jesus defined the 'dos and don'ts' that are easily recognizable in a person who truly believes in the divine gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This lesson also clearly defines what is meant by the second "great" commandment, that commandment being that we should love our neighbor's as we love ourselves.

Those who spend their lives in obedience to the principles that are laid out in this lesson, are promised earthly rewards beyond imagination, plus the promise of everlasting life in heaven with our almighty God.~

Lesson 1715

(Lesson 1715)(06-20-16) Luke 6:12-19

"And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor. And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all."

Today's quote relates how, after a night of prayer, Jesus singled out and named His chosen twelve apostles. It also tells us that He continued to heal all those who came and believed in Him.

It is worthy of note that in Luke's account of the selection of the twelve apostles, Jesus simply renamed Simon Peter, He did not specifically appoint Peter as the corner stone of His church. Although, the word Peter (Cephas or Kephas in aramaic) literally means stone in the Greek language.~

Lesson 1714

(Lesson 1714)(06-19-16) Luke 6:6-11

"And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered. And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him. But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth. Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it? And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other. And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus."

Today's lesson demonstrates how Jesus, because of His compassion even on the Sabbath, continued His miracles of healing while the leaders of the Jews began to plot ways destroy Him.

Lesson 1713

(Lesson 1713)(06-18-16) Luke 6:1-6

"And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days? And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him; How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone? And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath."

Today's lesson is another example of how Jesus, being God in man, ruled over the Sabbath and exempted His apostles from the rules of the law. ~

Lesson 1712

(Lesson 1712)(06-17-16) Luke 5:33-39

"And they said unto him, Why do the disciples of John fast often, and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but thine eat and drink? And he said unto them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days. And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old. And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved. No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better."

In today's lesson, Jesus demonstrated that He had relieved His apostles from the restrictions of the old law because He had given them the special authority and power to bring about and put into effect, a new law, His new law of eternal salvation by grace, through faith in the virgin borne life, death, resurrection and ascension of the Son of God, the perfect sacrifice.

In the last part of today's quote, Jesus demonstrated that His new law of faith should not, and could not, be intermingled with the old Hebrew law.

As we continue these lessons, we will establish that even some of the apostles tried to mingle parts of the old traditions of the Law of Moses into the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the true doctrine of that governs true Christianity still today.

The apostle Paul was, on several occasions, at odds with Peter and some of the others on several issues concerning such things as circumcision etc.

Even today many of the traditions of the old Hebrew law such as baptism and the Passover meal, are very much a part of some so-called Christian doctrines.

In today's lesson Jesus made it very clear that elements of the old law were not to be mixed with his new of faith because the old law required works, whereas His new law is based on faith alone.~

Lesson 1711

(Lesson 1711)(06-16-16) Luke 5:27-32

"And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. And he left all, rose up, and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them. But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

In today's lesson, after being challenged as to why He was associating Himself with those who were considered sinners by the scribes and Pharisees, Jesus made the point that He would preach to those who wanted to hear His word and were willing to listen. He also said, in essence, He would be wasting His time trying to teach those who are convinced that they already know everything.

The problem Jesus faced then is alive and well in today's so-called churches just as it was during the time of the ministry of Jesus Christ. There are far too many of today's "Christians" who are convinced that their distorted and selfish way of interpreting the word of God is indeed the way, when in actuality, their twisted doctrines are nothing more than a means by which they can control those who follow them and a means by which they can continue to enrich themselves with wealth and power.

We should prayerfully study every line of God's word to make sure that what we accept is the true intention of that word. If we do that, the Holy Spirit will not lead us astray.~

Lesson 1710

(Lesson 1710)(06-15-16) Luke 5:17-26

"And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus. And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house. And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things to day."

Today's lesson tells us how Jesus continued miraculously healing those who were ill among His people.

The lesson also demonstrates that forgiveness of sin comes through faith: "And when he (Jesus) saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee." The man who was afflicted with palsy demonstrated great faith by going through what he did to get to the healing power he knew Jesus possessed.~