(Lesson 2581)(01-15-19) Luke 19-31
“There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”
In today’s quote, Jesus related the parable of “The rich man and Lasarus.” Therein, Jesus made it clear that once a lost soul has died, it is eternally too late to be saved.
The quote also related to how the Jews had rejected God’s prophets and would also reject Jesus, the Holy One who would later arise from the dead.
Tuesday, January 15, 2019
Monday, January 14, 2019
Lesson 2580
(Lesson 2580)(01-14-19) Luke 16:18
“Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.”
The instruction in today’s quote appears to be very straight forward; Therefore, it speaks for itself and needs no further commentary. The following are more references concerning divorce
: Matt. 5:32, Matt. 19:3-9, Mark 10-12, 1 Cor. 7:1-40, 1 John 2:3-4, and Hebrews 13:4. ~
“Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.”
The instruction in today’s quote appears to be very straight forward; Therefore, it speaks for itself and needs no further commentary. The following are more references concerning divorce
: Matt. 5:32, Matt. 19:3-9, Mark 10-12, 1 Cor. 7:1-40, 1 John 2:3-4, and Hebrews 13:4. ~
Sunday, January 13, 2019
Lesson 2579
(Lesson 2579)(01-13-19) Luke 16:14-17
“And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.”
In today’s quote, Jesus rebuked the *Pharisees as being, essentially, the ultimate hypocrites. They, like so many today, identified and paraded themselves as ultra-righteous, while inwardly they were evil beyond measure because they used thier self created status to enrich themselves monetarily at the expense of the scripturally ignorant.
In the second half of today’s quote, Jesus clarified that the law, as it applied to His followers, ended as the new law of salvation by grace through faith began for those same followers.~
*The pharisees were the leading sect of the Jews at the time of Jesus.
“And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him. And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.”
In today’s quote, Jesus rebuked the *Pharisees as being, essentially, the ultimate hypocrites. They, like so many today, identified and paraded themselves as ultra-righteous, while inwardly they were evil beyond measure because they used thier self created status to enrich themselves monetarily at the expense of the scripturally ignorant.
In the second half of today’s quote, Jesus clarified that the law, as it applied to His followers, ended as the new law of salvation by grace through faith began for those same followers.~
*The pharisees were the leading sect of the Jews at the time of Jesus.
Saturday, January 12, 2019
Lesson 2578
(Lesson 2578)(01-12-19) Luke 16:1-13
“ And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward. Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses. So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord? And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore. And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
We should be reminded that even though some parts of the recent series of lessons apply equally to modern Christians, the majority, such as most of the lesson from today’s quote, pertains generally to the Jews of Jesus’ day, who were bound by the rules of the old laws.
The part of the lesson that applies directly to us is that we cannot be the servants of two separate masters. We either choose to devote ourselves to the Lord’s work or we devote ourselves to the work of Satan.
The rules Christian people are to follow are very simple and there are only two, so far as we are concerned after we have accepted Jesus Christ as our savior. Those two rules are; “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.”
If we, after being saved, obey those two simple rules, and do all we can to see to it that every living soul who will listen hears the wonderful, soul saving word of God, we have completed our Christian duty.~
“ And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods. And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward. Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses. So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord? And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore. And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
We should be reminded that even though some parts of the recent series of lessons apply equally to modern Christians, the majority, such as most of the lesson from today’s quote, pertains generally to the Jews of Jesus’ day, who were bound by the rules of the old laws.
The part of the lesson that applies directly to us is that we cannot be the servants of two separate masters. We either choose to devote ourselves to the Lord’s work or we devote ourselves to the work of Satan.
The rules Christian people are to follow are very simple and there are only two, so far as we are concerned after we have accepted Jesus Christ as our savior. Those two rules are; “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.”
If we, after being saved, obey those two simple rules, and do all we can to see to it that every living soul who will listen hears the wonderful, soul saving word of God, we have completed our Christian duty.~
Friday, January 11, 2019
Lesson 2577
(Lesson 2577)(01-11-19) Luke Chapter 15
“Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.”
Today’s quote is a long one, but within it there is only one lesson. That being that to God, every single soul is important and that His desire is for every one to be saved.
It is our Christian duty to do our very best to learn the meaning of God’s word and to see to it that every soul knows of the amazing, saving Grace of God through Jesus Christ. ~
“Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.”
Today’s quote is a long one, but within it there is only one lesson. That being that to God, every single soul is important and that His desire is for every one to be saved.
It is our Christian duty to do our very best to learn the meaning of God’s word and to see to it that every soul knows of the amazing, saving Grace of God through Jesus Christ. ~
Thursday, January 10, 2019
Lesson 2576
(Lesson 2576)(01-10-19) Luke 14:25-35
“And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
Today’s lesson tells us that Jesus demands absolute faith from His followers. In order to truly wear the cloak of Christianity, one must abandon all other doctrines and devote him/herself absolutely to the work that Jesus has laid out for His disciples.
Contrary to what many contend, this quote DOES NOT imply that absolute obedience to the old laws of the Jews is required in order to receive everlasting life. The opposite is true, except that one must have total faith in the life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ the Son of the living God, our actions here on earth have nothing to do with whether or not we receive everlasting life. “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 boats.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) ~
“And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
Today’s lesson tells us that Jesus demands absolute faith from His followers. In order to truly wear the cloak of Christianity, one must abandon all other doctrines and devote him/herself absolutely to the work that Jesus has laid out for His disciples.
Contrary to what many contend, this quote DOES NOT imply that absolute obedience to the old laws of the Jews is required in order to receive everlasting life. The opposite is true, except that one must have total faith in the life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ the Son of the living God, our actions here on earth have nothing to do with whether or not we receive everlasting life. “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 boats.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) ~
Lesson 2575
(Lesson 2575)(01-09-19) Luke 14:16-24
“ And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.”
The parable that Jesus related in today’s quote is a metaphor for the way the Jews rejected God’s plea to His chosen people as presented throught His prophets. In the latter part of the parable, once the Jews had, so many times, rejected God’s invitation, He expanded His grace to include the Gentiles.
One very interesting point that can be taken from this is that, in the parable, Jesus said, “For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.”. To me, that statement confirms that none who reject the calling to God’s grace will see heaven.~
“ And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.”
The parable that Jesus related in today’s quote is a metaphor for the way the Jews rejected God’s plea to His chosen people as presented throught His prophets. In the latter part of the parable, once the Jews had, so many times, rejected God’s invitation, He expanded His grace to include the Gentiles.
One very interesting point that can be taken from this is that, in the parable, Jesus said, “For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.”. To me, that statement confirms that none who reject the calling to God’s grace will see heaven.~
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)