LEARNING DAILY

Matthew 24:38: “For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying, giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark.”

The people in Noah’s day were living normal lives. They were doing what people do – eating, drinking, getting married, giving sons and daughters in marriage – and they never knew that catastrophe was coming.  The Bible also states in Genesis 6:5 that when the Lord looked down from heaven, He saw that His creation was out of control with their wickedness and every intent of their heart. They went about life like usual and when they recognized what Noah had told them about rain, a flood, and repentance, it was too late. They learned that God’s judgment will change living life as normal to a sudden end.

Jesus said that His followers must not live this way; they are to be walking a narrow way expecting His return at any time.  Believers are to be ready and listening for that trumpet to sound calling them to meet the Lord in the air. Do not make the mistakes of those of Noah’s day! I suggest you take a moment to find and read James 4:13-14 which tells one not to say you will do something tomorrow because you don’t know what tomorrow will bring.

Believers today must also consider how evil seems to be getting stronger and darker in the days we live in. Is every intent of the non-believer’s heart evil continually? Is it as bad as the days of Noah? If not, is the world headed that way? I believe I can say that the world is not growing better and better each day. 

With that being said, I believe Jesus was saying here that people, including Believers, across the world are caught up in living their lives, doing ordinary things. They are caught up in earning a living, working from 8-5, having kids, cooking meals and eating, caught up in this project, celebrations of this or that, and just taking life as it comes every day. Like the people ignored Noah’s warnings, laughing at him when he talked about rain, and just shook their heads at him.

Read 2 Peter 3:3-7 which tells scoffers not to follow their own sinful desires and to remember what happened to the scoffers of Noah’s day. Scoffers! They are in the world today as well. Noah told the people for 120 years that rain was coming, to repent. Be careful about those who mock the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ! The very existence of these false teachers mocking the return of Jesus is the fulfillment of what Jesus said in Matthew 24. They want people to question His return on the basis that it has been too long since His promise to do so, and the world just keeps continuing on as it always has done so. Therefore, He does not really care, He is not really coming back. If He isn’t coming back then there must not be a judgment of sin. God must not really care about sin, so, a person can live any way he/she wants. That is just wrong thinking and dangerous! Peter points people who think this way back to Noah and the flood.

I doubt anyone reading this is jumping up and down saying how great this page of the blog is. How long has this blog and others warned that judgment is coming, judgment for sinful behavior and turning away from or denying God and His narrow way? So, where is the judgment? It certainly is not on anyone’s calendar, right?

The Lord Jesus gave Believers another warning in Matthew 24.  

 

LEARNING DAILY

Revelation 5:13, And every creature which is in heaven and on earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying, “Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!”

Read the fourth and fifth chapters of The Revelation and you will see a glimpse of what heavenly worship is like before the throne of God. John saw the glorified Christ in all His glory, whose “eyes were like a flame of fire” (The Revelation 1:14). The ultimate praise and adoration Jesus Christ and God the Father is seen being given; a picture of the worldwide praise given to the Lamb of God who gave everything for the sake of others. It is important to see all beings, regardless of their location, participate in this worship.

Read The Revelation 4:6-11 and see the “four living creatures” leading worship, “giving glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne” – they do not rest day or night but continually give God praise. When they do, the twenty-four elders (representing the Church?) fall down, worship, and cast their crowns before Him. Can you even imagine what this sounds like? One day Believers will be there; until that day should not this be our example to praise and worship the Lamb and God the Father.

Read this quote written by Dr. Vernon M. Whaley that I found doing some research on worship in heaven:

“Notice that no one in these passages [The Revelation 4-5] seems to be under compulsion to worship God. No one is standing there, cracking the whip and demanding veneration. The whole of heaven is rejoicing voluntarily and from the heart. Why? Because they know that Jesus Christ is no longer that baby in a manger, represented by so many cracked and peeling images in Nativity sets the world over. Neither is he the bleeding and broken “criminal,” humbled and half-naked on a cross, the victim of those who thought they were bigger than Him. And He’s not the cold and mangled corpse that once lay in a borrowed tomb either. Those whose praises fill the heavens know that Jesus Christ is exalted. He is all in all, and heaven’s inhabitants never tire of worshipping Him. Neither will we. You and I will never run out of things to thank Him for and praising Him will never become boring.”

I know there are other theological thoughts about why this worship is occurring. For this time, just focus on the worship celebration John was able to hear. “Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!” Notice on who worship is centered on. Worship is centered on “Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb”; it is not focused on me. Being transparent this morning, I get distracted too often when I do not like the song(s) being sung, the way it is sung, or the way others are worshipping. Or there might be something in the message (which is worship as well!) is presented that is distracting. If you are like me, we need to get over it. Worship is not about you and me; it’s about “Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb”.

It is pretty clear from God’s Word that eternity in heaven, in God’s kingdom, is about worshipping Him. Believers should get as much practice in before they get there!

 

LEARNING DAILY

Matthew 28:18-20, And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on the earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (The blackened words are my emphasis.).

Jesus told the eleven disciples to go to a mountain in Galilee; He told them He had “absolute authority in heaven and on earth”. “This authority has been delegated to Him because He has been victorious over death and the grave,” Pastor Newton. He continued, “Absolute authority means He is supreme and sovereign. He is in control over all time and over everything.” Pastor reminded us of the importance of obeying parents and those in authority over us – “if we cannot obey physical authority, those we can see, we will have trouble obeying an unseen authority – God.”

Because Believers have placed their faith in Jesus Christ, and become joint heirs with Him, they have been given the authority of Christ in their lives. “Sin, worldliness and even demonic forces no longer have authority over them. Jesus walked out of the grave to anoint you into His authority!” (Pastor Newton). Because of being “in Christ” Believers no longer need to use the “devil made me do it” as an excuse for their behavior. “The devil is not equal to God (he is a created being); he is subject to the authority of Jesus Christ and to Believers because of the authority Jesus designates to them.

Believers are to “Go and make disciples”. As a Believer, “you are called to have an influence on others for Christ. You just need to tell others what He has done in your life to change you.” (Pastor Newton). Those who know you should see a difference in how you live your life. Remember, it is Jesus Christ who changes you from within as you walk the narrow way trusting Him and being obedient to His word. It is walking consistently with Jesus Christ, being led by the Holy spirit to choose the right way instead of following the world. It is, not only talking Christianese but doing it because Jesus lives in your heart.” (PN).

The disciples were told to “make disciples”. A disciple is one who becomes like his master (Jesus Christ) by living in relationship to Him; it is done by learning from submitting to Him and His example. Pastor said, “The disciples were not told to make church members. They were instructed to teach others to walk the narrow way with them. Believers, I pray that this blog is an encouragement to read/study. Meditate on God’s Word for yourself and not rely on it to be your only time with God. It’s the same regarding just an hour church service each week. God’s word needs to be read daily in order to know who God is and how He speaks to you. “Know Jesus – grow in Jesus – move from the milk of the word to the meat of the Word!” (PN). 

Walking the narrow way is about the Holy Spirit changing you; it is a journey. It is a journey that ends at the kingdom of God. Actually, it does not end there because eternity does not end. Jesus said, “and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” This walk on the narrow way not only changes us into looking more like Him, “it is a walk of power, ability, and strength because Jesus is with you” (PN).  Acts 1:8, tells us, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Listener Guide). “It is the presence of God in your life that gives you the power and the strength to live for Him and do what you need to do as you walk with Him” (PN).

“Jesus was raised in power for you to live in.” (Target statement on the Listener Guide). Walk the narrow way with Him in faith, trust, and obedience!

 

LEARNING DAILY

1 Corinthians 15:51-53, But let me tell you a wonderful secret God has revealed to us. Not all of us will die, but we will all be transformed. It will happen in a moment, in the blinking of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, the Christians who have died will be raised with transformed bodies. And then we who are living will be transformed into heavenly bodies that will never die. When this happens – when our perishable earthly bodies have been transformed into heavenly bodies that will never die – then at last the Scriptures will come true: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” (New Living Translation)

Paul is making an announcement about something God has revealed – a secret, a mystery. There will be Believers alive when Jesus comes back for those who have placed their faith in Him. Here is the question Paul needs to answer. How will they enter into heaven in this sin-stained earthly body? They can’t! Paul states that whether a person dies as a Believer or he/she is taken “in a moment, in the blinking of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown” (known as the rapture) all must experience a transformation when they step into eternity. The living Believers will be changed along with the Believers who have died. 1 John 3:2 states, “Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see him as He is”.

That change will be made in an instant, in the blink of an eye; the change will be so quick that it can’t be measured. The change from perishable to imperishable, all we have discussed in the last few pages of this blog will occur for the Believer who is alive at this time. There was evidently some teaching in Corinth at the time Paul wrote, that said the natural body would become more holy as they walked as a Believer. No, they continue to die. The transformation to a spiritual body is only for God to do.

I would like to return to what John wrote in the verse above. It is critical to understand what he meant when he wrote that Believers know they are not what they “will be”. Believers are saved but they are not perfect! The result of being saved is to walk the narrow way, growing to be more and more like Jesus Christ; that does not mean to become perfect right away. The goal for every Believer should be to be like Jesus Christ, to pursue that goal. That means to live one’s life free from sin in a world that is full of evil. Yes, you will mess up. Yes, you do confess when you do wrong, knowing that Jesus will forgive and cleanse you of all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Then move on, looking forward to the return of Jesus.

Paul writes about the “last trumpet”. As I understand this means the end of the church age. Too many get caught up and want to argue about when in time this will occur. In my opinion, the point is that it will sound, and every Believer needs to be ready for it to sound. It does not matter so much about when as it does to be walking with Jesus in faith and trust on the narrow way into His kingdom. When that trumpet sounds, the dead in Christ will be raised with that incorruptible, imperishable heavenly body. Those Believers alive when that trumpet sounds will be raised instantly, changed into their heavenly body fit for eternity in God’s kingdom.

Believer, are you listening for that trumpet? Are you walking the narrow way in faith, trusting Jesus every day? I am listening and praying the trumpet is blown any day now!

 

LEARNING DAILY

1 Corinthians 15:43-44, “Our bodies now disappoint us, but when they are raised, they will be full of glory. They are weak now, but when they are raised, they will be full of power. They are natural human bodies now, but when they are raised, they will be spiritual bodies. For just as they are natural bodies, so also there are spiritual bodies.” (New Living Translation)

Your resurrected body is going to be different from the body you now have. Paul wrote in verse 42, “So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable”. There is a transformation that takes place – the body that enters heaven is different from the body Believers have while on earth. The body Believers have on earth wears out and eventually dies. The resurrected body does not do so; it does not die and is both a physical body and an eternal body.

“Our bodies now disappoint us, but when they are raised, they will be full of glory.” The glorified body will be free from sin and shame. When I consider what this means, I think of reading in The Revelation of the saints being clothed in white garments (The Revelation 3:4-5), purified, not polluted or stained. There will be none of the weaknesses experienced in the earthly body. Cartoons picture the saints as angels with wings and harps riding on the clouds. Or, I have heard of disembodied (ghost like bodies). No angels with wings! No ghosts! Luke wrote the words of the risen Christ, “See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have." He had a physical body. So will Believers. His body was healed, excepts for the wounds on His hands and feet (marking His sacrifice). The Believer’s body will be totally healed. Jesus ate with the disciples, several times (Luke 24:41). Believers will be able to eat, although it will not be a driving force. When Jesus appeared to them, He did not enter through the door; He was just there. Will Believers be able to do that or even need to do that?

I am going to close with a rather sobering thought. In Daniel 12:2, it is written, “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” The point being made here is ALL people will be resurrected to eternal life – “some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” The only two destinies are an eternity in God’s kingdom, or an eternity separated from Him. All people will have a spiritual body. John 3:36 clearly states this, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him”. Believers, having placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ, will walk into His kingdom for eternity. Those who have not will face eternal judgment. No one is neutral!

As a Believer, you will be resurrected. You will receive a spiritual body! You will spend eternity in God’s kingdom. That is worth the walk on the narrow way!

 

LEARNING DAILY

1 Corinthians 15:35, How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?

Jesus came out of the tomb He was placed in after He gave up His life; He defeated death. David Jeremiah has written, “The Bible consistently teaches the reality of the resurrection, for God created eternity in our hearts.” I think that this week it would be appropriate to explore what the Bible tells about the resurrection of Believers.

Paul was addressing some interesting questions. There were those in the city of Corinth that were teaching there was no resurrection from the dead. Others were asking legitimate questions about how the dead were raised and what did the body look like. There were those who had been dead and buried for a long time; others had been killed in terrible ways. It is not difficult to see the difficulty in understanding the resurrection. Paul’s response seems to be quite harsh. Were they trying to be difficult, challenging Paul? Or were they really having trouble imaging what the resurrected body would look like?

To answer them, he uses an analogy of planting a seed into the ground – a seed does not come to life unless it is planted in the ground. Continuing on, Paul writes that God gives life to the plant based on the seed that was planted. Our body before we die is like the seed to the much better body God has planned for Believers.

1 Corinthians 15:42 goes on, “So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption.” That statement makes me wonder how the Believer’s resurrected body will be different from the Believer’s present body. To get some understanding of this, it is important to understand that through the first Adam (v. 45) we received our natural bodies; after the Fall described in Genesis, our bodies became mortal. In other words, they became subject to wearing out by aging and eventually death occurs. Ecclesiastes 3:20 tells us, “All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return”. As a result of the Fall, because of sin, we are made in dishonor.

However, because of Jesus being nailed to a cross in the place of all who would believe in Him, and because of His resurrection, the Believer’s imperfect body will someday be raised in glory, set free from the failings brought on by sin, aging, disease, sickness and death brought on by living in this world. The resurrected body will be honorable and perfectly suited for living in God’s kingdom for eternity. That means no more pain. No more disease and a body that will never wear out nor die.

Let me conclude with this verse from Romans 6:8-9, “Now if we died with Christ, we believe we will also live with Him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over Him”. What does this mean for a Believer. Placing your faith in Jesus Christ means you believe Jesus died on the cross taking your place; He died as a one-time payment for your sins – past, present, and future. Your new life in Him, walking the narrow way in faith and obedience with Him means you are headed toward life in His kingdom with Him. Spiritually speaking, Believers, through their faith in Jesus, have died and risen to new spiritual life. Believers are to walk the narrow way as if dead to themselves and alive to God in Christ (Romans 6:11).

We will look more at this tomorrow.

 

LEARNING DAILY

Luke 24:13-16, Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. And they talked together of all the things which had happened. So it was, while they conversed and reasoned together, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.

Grasp the context of what is happening here. These two men were disciples of Jesus. They were probably not of the closer disciples who walked with Jesus. They had heard Jesus talk about His resurrection, but they were “walking away from the greatest miracle that had every happened” (Pastor Jonathon Moore, Lead Pastor at NorthRock Church). Notice it was the same day that the tomb was found open and empty. They had witnessed Jesus beaten and nailed to a cross; they were discouraged and had broken hearts. Was all they had heard and seen just a fraud? What they had hoped for had died.

Read further. Jesus came up to them – remember this is the same day as His resurrection. Just like Mary Magdalene, they did not recognize Him. He asked them what they were talking about. Pastor Moore said, “The first thing Jesus did when resurrected was to go hang out with those who were discouraged”. They had walked away from Jerusalem and did not know about this great miracle. “People walk away from the One they should be walking toward, but due to some experience they have had they walk away searching for their purpose” (Pastor Moore). Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:10 that the Believer’s purpose is found in Jesus Christ. “But too many people are looking for their purpose in getting more money, more prestige, more recognition. The two disciples told Jesus that they were “hoping” He was the one who would redeem Israel. But now they were walking in hopelessness – that’s exactly where the enemy wants you walking, walking in your past, walking in disappointment, walking in the gap between expectations and reality” (Pastor Moore).

Pastor asked, “What is the gap – your disappointment – in your life that has not happened?” He offered several suggestions to help those walking in disappointment. First, “Remember the promises God has made”. The resurrection had been told to them by Jesus several times. The Old Testament was full of prophecies of the resurrection. “But pain will drive a person, making them do and go in directions never intending one to go. Be intentional about remembering the promises of God. Faith is trusting what God has said, even when it doesn’t match what you currently see. When you begin to experience trouble, don’t start walking away from the One who can help.” (Pastor Moore). Walk towards Him in trust and obedience!

Secondly, “recognize God’s presence”. “Do not be so consumed with what is happening to you that you miss who is walking with you. Jesus walked with these two disciples, talking with them until they drew near to the village they were going to. Pastor Moore said, “Jesus wants to walk with you in your pain!” They talked Him into staying and eating with them; it was not until Jesus took the bread, blessed and broke it that their eyes were opened to see that the person at their table was the Risen Lord – then He vanished! What joy they experienced. “This is Jesus! If He had risen, everything He had said was true and that changes everything!” (Pastor Moore).

Immediately they got up and returned to Jerusalem. They acted on the experience they had with the Risen Lord. Revelation 3:20 states, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him and him with Me.” “Jesus wants us to hear His voice and open the door of our heart in order to have an encounter with the resurrection.” (Pastor Moore).

 

LEARNING DAILY

John 20:16, Jesus said to her, “Mary!”

Jesus was placed in a tomb located near the place He had been crucified; it was owned by Joseph of Arimathea. His body had been bound in strips of linen and the tomb had been sealed with rock. Guards had been posted outside of the tomb just in case the disciples tried to steal the body.

John writes that Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early on the first day of the week – in the Jewish calendar this would be Sunday morning. Finding the rock rolled away from the tomb, she went to tell the disciples that the body of Jesus had been taken away. After John and Peter had left the tomb, Mary had stood outside the tomb weeping. She was weeping because she thought His body had been taken and she needed to know where the body had been taken. As she turns to leave, she hears someone asking what she is doing. She thought this was the voice of the caretaker.

 Pastor Ed Newton, Lead Pastor of Community Bible Church, spoke this weekend about the resurrection of Lazarus by Jesus. He related the confusion Mary, the sister of Lazarus and not to be confused with Mary Magdalene, had about the resurrection of the body. “She had knowledge about the resurrection from the Old Testament prophecies; but she had a ‘someday faith’ and not a ‘today faith’.  Jesus, standing right in front of her Mary, was saying hope had a heartbeat and faith had a face and he was standing right in front of her” (Pastor Newton). He went on to say “Jesus wanted her to not only trust in the future hope of resurrection, but to have a personal testimony about what He was doing in her life right now. He is not only the God of the afterlife but the God of the abundant life right now!”

Mary Magdalene was outside the empty tomb. Jesus said to her, “Mary!” Whatever it was in the sound of that voice, Mary knew it was the voice of Jesus. I wonder what went through her mind, what emotions must have existed! Jesus called her by name and all the grief and despair she was feeling over the body of Jesus being gone changed in that moment.

When Jesus was standing with Mary, the sister of Lazarus, outside the grave of Lazarus He said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (My emphasis).  A little later He calls Lazarus by name to come out of the grave.

Believers celebrate the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ on this weekend. Be careful to note He called Lazarus and Mary Magdalene by name, and He spoke directly to Mary, the sister of Lazarus. Can I remind you that Jesus Christ knows you by your name; I believe He is speaking directly to each Believer today. Pastor Newton said, “When Jesus speaks, He is calling you to not just a better life, but to live a resurrected life of forgiveness, freedom, and salvation. As He shouted to Lazarus to come out of the grave, He stands at the tomb of sin, death, and hell shouting to each [Believer] to come out of whatever situation you are facing. He is calling you out of fear to holiness, out of compromise to conviction, out of hiding into healing, and out of defeat into your destiny. This is not just a Bible story about Lazarus – it’s your story. It’s about dead things that don’t stay dead when Jesus speaks.”

Do you hear Jesus calling your name? He’s calling you to come out of the situation you face? Do you believe He is able to help you? “Let go of every addiction that holds you, let go of every trauma that taunts you, let go of every comparison that takes your joy away and helps you let go of every condemnation that shames you?” (Pastor Newton). He can do this because He is the Resurrection and the Life. “The tomb could not hold Him. The grave could not bind Him. And death could not stop Him. His resurrection is not just about our future – it’s for now, as well!” (Pastor Newton).

Think about how you respond to the voice of Jesus and how you can be more aware of His voice in the midst of all the noise of this world. Just as Mary Magdalene turned to Jesus when He called her name, you are invited to turn your life to Him as He guides you on your walk on the narrow way into His eternal kingdom.

 

LEARNING DAILY

Mark 15:34, And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi. Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?”

Jesus is nailed to a cross. He has taken the place of every person who has accepted Him as the Savior. I wonder if there is a greater statement regarding God hating sin than Jesus asking this question. Can you truly imagine what Jesus Christ faced at this hour? God “made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21). “Here He was alone. His disciples had abandoned Him and now He was separated from His Father, becoming sin for us [you and me]” (David Jeremiah Study Bible).

Yes, there is no doubt in my mind you and I are living in the end of the times, the time Paul writes to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:1-7. God is not caught by surprise by this. Jesus said in Matthew 24:37, “But as in the days of Noah were, so also will be the coming of the Son of Man be.” How bad, how wicked was mankind in the time of Noah that God had Noah build an ark and then sent a flood to destroy every living thing on earth? The Bible tells us, “Every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). This causes me to wonder if the evil in mankind’s heart today is as evil as it was in the days of Noah. Is the moral compass of mankind indicating that it is? It seems to me the days we live in are close, if not worse than what Noah faced.

This is not a “feel good page” of the blog! Godlessness is at the very center of everything wrong in this country, in this world. It always has been; it is getting worse every day. The existence of godliness is seen in every aspect of society. God has been removed from all areas of public life. Technology has placed immorality of all kinds in the hands of anyone of any age who can pick it up. Read Romans 1:18-32 to see the results of rejecting God. When man stops worshiping God, man makes God in their own image.

We must not belittle or underestimate sin! We must not think little of what Jesus Christ did as He was on the cross, taking the place you and I deserved. It is easy to see the downward spiral of this country and world is in. As a Believer, you and I cannot follow any rules we want, cannot live to gratify “the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, or the pride of life” (1 John 2:16). His death on the cross and your acceptance of Him as Savior is to make Him Lord by walking the narrow way He sets before you, walking in faith and trusting Him to make you into His image.

The separation Jesus, the Son endured from His Father in heaven shows just how much you are loved. Sin, your sin and my sin, tore the Father away from the Son because the Father could not look upon sin. Our forgiveness was not free! Jesus knew the answer to His question. He had come into this world to set everyone who would believe in the Son free from the slavery of sin. The question now becomes how will you respond to His sacrifice. Saying yes to Him as Savior is the beginning. Walking with Him as Lord becomes a decision the Believer makes every day by walking the narrow way. That involves trust and obedience! “There is no other way!”

 

LEARNING DAILY

Revelation 18:4-5, And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, My people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.”

John was given a vision of what lies ahead. Those who take the time to read The Revelation will see God wins! Jesus Christ returns in triumph to establish His kingdom on earth. Righteousness triumphs and Satan loses. Sickness, pain, death disappear; those who have given their life to Christ and walk on the narrow way have a happy ending! I like that!

Revelation 18 is about the fall of Babylon. The city of Babylon is mentioned throughout the Bible. I believe I have read that Babylon is the second most mentioned city in the Bible – next to Jerusalem. Apparently, God’s people, saved Jews and Gentiles will be living in Babylon during the times The Revelation is talking about. John heard a voice from heaven telling God’s people to get out of Babylon. God did not want His people to be tempted by the cultural and religious life that was there. Babylon is often referred to as a godless world system that makes war with the saints or Believers during the end times. It is the godless spirit of Babylon that is at work in the world today.

How do Believers respond to this? Believers are to separate themselves from this godless spirit in the world today! Read what Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 6:14, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?” Believers must make a choice every day to walk on the narrow way or to live as they please. Believers must stop living in ways that do not please God; they cannot walk both in the light and in darkness. When Jesus stated that the narrow way was a difficult way, He knew the temptations Believers would face, the challenges of ungodly, unholy attractions of this world. Traps are set every day to bring Believers into the lifestyle found in the godless spirit of Babylon.

For the true Believer, the one doing all he/she can do to walk the narrow way know this, “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Nothing – not the growing economic and government instability of this world, not famines or persecutions of any kind – can separate a Believer from the love and protection of God!

However, the warning is clear for the Believer to separate from the spirit of Babylon in the world today. The world Believers live in today is changing very quickly. Believers continue to live in the world but must be careful not to live as the ungodly world lives even when contact with unbelievers occurs daily. The challenge is to not be pulled in the direction of the unbeliever. The Believer’s security will always be found in Jesus Christ. Believers must keep themselves clean with the help and the power of the Holy Spirit, being diligent in reading and studying God’s Word, and by removing all hint of self-centeredness and pride in their lives. Judgment is coming against the ungodly spiritual Babylon, “For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.” Believers must remember the promises of God never change; hold on to them and walk with Him in faith, trust and obedience.

 

LEARNING DAILY

Hebrews 12:1-2, Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

The walk on the narrow way is not a sprint; it is a long-distance run, a marathon, that takes perseverance and endurance. Hebrews, chapter 11 is known for the Israelites who lived their lives in faith, trusting God. If you would go back and read what the author of Hebrews wrote about them you would see a common theme – they knew that on their own they could not live a life of faith. It is only because Jesus makes it possible to walk daily on this narrow path.

 The “great a cloud of witnesses” gives Believers today, examples of great faith, examples of walking with God, accomplishing amazing things. They also speak of facing hardships and difficulties as they walked with God in faith. Those listed in chapter 11 are given to be a reminder of God’s great love during difficult times as well as when believers experience victories. Each Believer needs to decide for themselves what he/she will do with that information.

The writer of Hebrews placed Jesus Christ as “the founder and perfecter of our faith”. His life on earth shows each Believer the need to “lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely”. He has run His race showing Believers the need to stop sinning, stop being self-centered, and walk the narrow way, doing the best they can to fulfill the purpose He has for them. He is the Believer’s example to resist temptations and face each day with joy. Believers face each day with the joy He gives, even when having to endure suffering because they know “everything works out for good, for His glory and His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

It is Jesus who spent time on this earth, knowing that His time would end on a cross. The writer of Hebrews wrote, “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame”. Paul wrote in Philippians 2:8-11, “And being found in human form, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Jesus ran His race with endurance; the people He came to redeem, did not recognize Him. They were looking for a Savior from the Romans, not a Savior for their sins. He endured being nailed to a cross and all the humiliation given Him not only by the Romans but the Jewish people. He was beaten, mocked and spit upon.

 Jesus is the Believer’s example of walking the narrow way in humility, dying to self, and the obedience to His Father in heaven. As a result, God highly exalted Him. The name of Jesus is honored and empowered above any other name on earth. Because of that ALL people will submit to Him – “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth” – the greatest reward for the Lord Jesus Christ. Not only that. One day ALL people will admit that He is God and the Messiah. All of this will bring honor and glory to God, the Father!

The best takeaway from this is to declare Jesus to be the Savior of your life today. But the next step is to walk faithfully with Him on the narrow way into His kingdom, “running with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith”.

 

LEARNING DAILY

Zechariah 9:9, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey.”

Luke 19:35-36, Then they brought him to Jesus. And they threw their own clothes on the colt, and they set Jesus on him. And as He went, many spread their clothes on the road.

“The Jewish people were looking for a Messiah that would conquer Rome and relieve the oppressive life they lived under Roman rule. But Jesus had come not to conquer the Roman government; He came to conquer the sin of the world” (Audrey’s notes). Her notes went on, “We often think Jesus came to fix what we want, so we miss the eternal restoration He brings.” Pastor Matt Martin said, “We acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah but argue with His ways.” Isaiah 55:8 states, “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts”, says the Lord. “And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” (NLT). Jesus entered Jerusalem on the day we call Palm Sunday not on a warhorse but on a donkey. He came not as a conquering king, solving an immediate problem. He came as a sacrificial lamb who would bring eternal peace.

Point number one made by Pastor Martin: “Jesus did not come to meet our expectations; He came to meet our needs.” Romans 5:6 states, “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Audrey wrote in her notes, “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came and died for sinners”. It is important that Believers have the right view regarding why Jesus left heaven and came to this world. “All people need a Savior “ (Pastor Martin). Believers today often see only the problem(s) before them just as the people thought Jesus would remove their problems with Rome. Believers must learn that when praying, God hears and answers according to what He knows is best to cause growth and maturity in their lives.

His second point was: “We want Jesus to change our circumstances; He wants to change us.” It is easy to get caught up with what Believers want to be changed in their lives, the “temporary stuff” faced each day (Pastor Martin). Read what the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 5:3-5! Believers can rejoice when facing difficulties. That’s hard, right? However, Scripture teaches Believers to stay strong when facing difficulties; character is developed, and their hope does not disappoint as the love of God is poured out in them. In other words, “overcoming problems is about a change in the believer” (Pastor Martin).  

The third point: “We want peace for our situation; Jesus came so we could have peace with God.” Jesus Christ came to save everyone who would place their faith and trust in Him. When a person does, he/she needs to begin to live for eternity; that starts by walking a narrow path, living as God’s word directs them to. Audrey wrote in her notes, “The moment we realize our bones and body will pass but our soul will live on in the kingdom of heaven for all eternity, we can have true peace over what God is doing for us.” “Jesus cares about what is happening in you more than what is happening around you” (Pastor Martin). “The world tells you that peace exists when the economy and politics are good, but Jesus gives us peace beyond all understanding in the midst of every storm and trial. That pretty much describes walking the narrow way – facing each difficulty and trial as they come.

 Jesus may show up in the midst of your need in a way that you do not expect. The situation may not even change. But this you can know – when you place your situation in His hands, He will change you!

 

LEARNING DAILY

John 14:6, Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Pastor Ed Newton continued with the series of “I AM” statements made by Jesus. He is speaking to His disciples while in the Upper Room about His death. He told them, “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me.” (John 14:1). Pastor said, “The word “troubled” in the original language means ‘stirred, shaken’. Jesus told them He was leaving them to prepare a place for them in God’s kingdom; that left them shaken.”  He continued, “No one is exempt as trouble comes to every single person – both Believer and unbeliever. When trouble comes, one needs to hold on to Jesus. Don’t let what you see talk you out of what Jesus has said!”

Jesus told them He was going to prepare a place for them. By doing that, He promised he would come back for them (and all who Believe). Their future was secure (Listener Guide); the place of the Believer is secure because of the promise made to return for those who believed in Him. Pastor used the illustration of calling ahead to secure a room when traveling. The Believer’s “room” (the Believer’s place of abiding) in God’s kingdom is reserved at the moment of salvation; it is a personal reservation as Jesus knows your name and it is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. The promise is His return. Pastor said the “I go” refers to His death on a cross. The “I will” is the promise to return. And the “where I am” is eternal life in heaven in His kingdom”. He said, “There is no heaven without Jesus.” Read John 14:3 to find these statements.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” The four points on the Listener Guide for this message were: “You are not alone. Your future is secure. You are not forgotten. You are not lost.” The notes with this verse answer some questions. How can I be saved? “His Way is comforting – Jesus is saying He is the only way! There have been so many who have said they are the way. How can I be sure Jesus is the way? Because His Truth is certain – He is 100% the truth! There are no lies in Him (John 18:35). He is the only person who has ever lived that was perfect, the only One who gives life in abundance. His Life is contentment – the life He gives is eternal!

The Word is very clear, “No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Pastor stated, “Jesus came from heaven.” He knows the way to get there.” The best way to get there, “is to go to heaven with the One who knows the way there!” (Pastor Newton). He followed this with this illustration. “If I am wrong and get to the end of my life after walking with Jesus, I lose nothing! But, if one gets to the end of their life and has not walked with Jesus, what does he/she lose? The answer is everything! His truth must be my truth, the way I live my life”.

Walking with “Jesus on the narrow way into His eternal kingdom is not wishful thinking! If you have walked with Him for long, you know the shaking that comes with the walk. I was encouraged by Pastor’s words, “Keep on believing! Don’t hold on to your feelings; hold on to Jesus!”  Let Him be your peace, your promise, and your prize! (Takeaway statement on the Listener Guide).

 

LEARNING DAILY

1 John 5:1, Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves His children, too. (New Living Translation)

This is a good day for a test. In the David Jeremiah Study Bible there is a segment for the reader to take “to help one determine if a person is really a Christian. These tests (found mostly in 1 John 5:1-5) are given as birthmarks to assure (my emphasis) true Believers of their salvation” (DJSB). Ready?

The Faith Test. “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is a child of God.” Do you believe this? John wrote in this letter, “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, abides in Him, and he in God” (4:15). There are two parts to this – believing and confessing. God’s presence and spirit is invited into ones’ life by professing belief in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for their sins. By confessing Jesus Christ is the Son of God, He abides in them and continues to guide them. “What do you believe? Is your doctrine in line with the Word of God?”  (DJSB)

The Life Test. “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:2-3). Believers can know they are acting in love when they keep God’s commandments. I wonder if the people John wrote to, questioned if they had fallen short of the love John had previously written or talked about. The first letter of John is centered around loving God and loving others. The life test also involves being obedient to the commands of God. Loving God makes His command to love others possible. Loving God and loving people is not a burden for Believers.  John wanted to be clear that true Believers did this. “How do you live? Do you keep God’s commandments?” (DJSB)

The Love Test. “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7; but continue reading through verse 11 and then 20, 21). Yes, this idea of loving others was very important to John’s writings. “Love is from God”! The ability to love others is the result of walking closely with God; “whoever loves has been born of God and knows God”! “Do you love your brothers and sisters [in Christ]?” (DJSB).

The Growth Test. “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4-5). The “world” refers to the world system and all the darkness that goes with it. Jesus cannot be overpowered by darkness; the Believer’s faith and walk with Jesus becomes their strength. Their faith in Him is the Believer’s victory; Believers are not weak nor defenseless when they walk with Jesus Christ – their battles are already won by Christ. This is learned by walking the narrow way, growing in one’s faith, knowledge, and understanding of how much He loves you. The longer the Believer walks on the narrow way, the more the Believer should be growing in faith, love and the overcoming life. “Are you overcoming more and more as you walk with the Lord? (DJSB).

The Sin Test. “Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.” (ESV). It is important to know the Believer must not go on sinning after accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior; He must become Lord as well. John is writing on conscious, intentionally disobeying God’s will as revealed in His Word. “Lawlessness” is “a consistent lifestyle of sin that shows contempt for God’s commands’ (DJSB). Jesus had a clear mission for coming to this world; He came to remove the power of sin from the lives of those who would place their faith in Him. His sacrifice was the only one capable of paying the price for every sin for every Believer, once and for all! “Do you avoid sin, or do you continue sinning and consider it acceptable?” (DJSB).

How did you do?

 

LEARNING DAILY

1 John 4:1, Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

As Believers, we must not believe everyone who claims to have a message from God. The reason is obvious if you have been reading this blog – there are going to be many in the last days the teach, preach, write things that are misleading and not true. Because of false teachers and false prophets in the world in the last days, John writes it is a must to test the spirits. Back in the eighties, I used to do some teachings on rock music. One of the basic premises was not only the words but the spirit behind the music. The rock and roll music of that day was often dark, written by those doing drugs, demonic, and led to those listening to be disobedient to parents and those in authority. I taught to not only listen carefully to the words, but to also see what spirit was behind the music.

When referencing “the spirit” in this case is not necessarily pointing to ghosts, demons, or some other kind of creature; it points to the approach and attitude of the individual. Truth comes from the Holy Spirit, and that means anything else is not true. This is especially true when one is claiming to speak for God. That leads to the question of how to test the spirits. John addressed that in verses 2-6.

Verse 2 states the first way, “By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God”. Does the individual believe that Jesus is the Christ, and He came in the flesh into this world? In the days that John wrote there were many who accepted the humanity of Jesus but did not accept other aspects of the gospel. An example of denying other aspects of the gospel is denying the resurrection of Jesus. 1 Corinthians 15:14 states that if Christ has not risen from the dead, Paul’s preaching would be empty, making our faith empty. What does the individual believe about the resurrection of Jesus?

Verse 3 continues, “and every spirit that does not confess Jesus, is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already”. Paul writes in Romans 10:9, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved”. How can one who refuses to confess Jesus is Lord and believe in their heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, how can the individual be a believer? The answer is he/she can’t! It goes back to what John wrote in the previous verse. John writes that this individual has the “spirit of the antichrist”, this person has the attitude of the evil one to come; it is the attitude of false teaching that promotes phony godliness. Those who reject Jesus Christ are deceivers and considered against Christ. Did you notice John wrote “This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already”. That was in John’s time and you can believe that spirit is certainly in the world today. That’s why believers test the spirits.

Verse 5, “They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them”. False teachers are from the world, not from God. 1 John 2:15 reminds his reader the love of God is not in these people. Because the individuals are from the world, they have a worldly view of things, not a biblical worldview. They are “abiding” in the world, thinking like the world. You see these people all around you every day; they do not speak truth or live by God’s standards. They do and say whatever serves their purposes. And notice, “the world listens to them”. Yes, this is the natural result. Unbelievers listen to and follow unbelievers.

“And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17). As a Believer, you are to be distinctly different from the world, to be set apart! Listen to teachers who are godly; walk with them! John is giving this warning because it is possible for Believers to be deceived. Test the spirits. Be in God’s word. Read/study/meditate on it. Be diligent about knowing the truth from the false. How else can you do this except by being in the Word and constantly praying for discernment!

Know this: “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world”. You are from God because you believe; because you believe Jesus Christ lives within your heart and He has overcome these false teachers and the world!

 

LEARNING DAILY

1 John 3:1-2, Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore, the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

John wrote in his gospel, “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). As a Believer you are a “child of God”; through faith in Jesus Christ, you were born into the family of God. This is a spiritual rebirth. I want to say that this is an amazing part of the gospel message. Believing on the crucifixion and resurrection of the Son of God is the very center of being not just being “called the children of God” but truly being “the children of God”. Do you understand the difference? Knowing involves more than just having information; it refers to having an intimate relationship with God!

Being a child of God is being a co-heir with Jesus of everything in God’s kingdom for all eternity. Take a moment to get that thought deep in your mind and spirit. All that the father has given His Son in the kingdom, he has given to Believers as well. Read Ephesians 1:13-14 and Romans 8:14-17 just to confirm this. As a “child of God” a Believer has been given a new nature and are to be serious about how he/she lives their life. Believers are not called to live any way they want but to walk that narrow way each day. John has written about sin in this letter and Believers cannot be slack in their daily walk.

Notice that John wrote that unbelievers do not understand the change Jesus brings in Believers. The “love” that John writes about is agape love which gives with nothing expected in return; that is certainly strange to the world which is always expecting something in return for what is done or given. So, the Believer’s desire to do without getting in return is not recognized. The Lord Jesus was not recognized or known for who He was, and Believers can expect the same treatment.

“Beloved, now we are children of God”. This is not a future event. You are a child of God from the moment you place your faith in Jesus Christ, His death on the cross, and His resurrection! In addition to that, your future in His kingdom has not been fully revealed. Believers can know they will have a new body, free from pain and all the worldly problems, they will be forever in the presence of Jesus, in a way that is far better than what we know in our lives right now. Just know that there will be greater things revealed to us when the Lord brings Believers to be with Him in His kingdom! Let me write again just to emphasize this – Jesus will take Believers to be with Him (through death or the rapture), Believers will see Him, receive a new body, and be with Him forever!

Being a child of God now does not mean Believers are going to be perfect. It does mean they are to continue to walk the narrow way, becoming more and more like Jesus. Never forget how much Jesus loves you. He loves you enough to forgive you when you confess your sin (1 John 1:9) and to live as an overcomer (I John 2:14). That gives me hope and the help I need to walk the narrow way as the Father desires.

 

LEARNING DAILY

Matthew 4:19, Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men”.

Matthew 28:19, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Pastor Jonathon Moore continued with the series on Jesus’ Stories. This weekend’s message was about Jesus sending the disciples out two by two. Read the account in Mark 6:7-13. In the clip from The Chosen the disciples were concerned about being sent out to tell people about Him, which included healing people and casting out demons. Yes, they had questions and fear just like Believers do today when someone preaches or teaches about witnessing today. In the clip one of the disciples spoke up and said he did not feel any different after Jesus had given them the power and authority to do what He was sending them to do. I really liked the response Jesus gave to this disciple, “I don’t need you to feel anything to do good things!” I guess that sums up the idea feeling is involved in doing good things for Jesus!

What do you understand when you read the verses above? “Spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ is done by personal witness. Jesus called each Believer to tell others – You tell others about the experience you have had with Jesus because that other person needs that experience” (Pastor Moore). Telling others is the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19). Audrey wrote in her sermon notes, “He qualifies the called. We just need to accept the responsibility.” Pastor Moore said, “It’s like one beggar telling another about where to find bread”. Peter and John said, “We cannot stop telling about the wonderful things we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). That should be the belief of every Believer. “One does not have to be an apologist to do this; tell people how He saved you, changed you, took care of you when you needed him to do so because of His unconditional love for you” (Pastor Moore).

Pastor gave four questions Believers can consider when talking about Jesus.

When? When did Jesus find me? “When Jesus Christ gets into a person and fills that person with the Holy Spirit, that Believer is changed and wants to find others to talk about their experience and the changes that have happened” (Pastor Moore). It's too bad that the more mature and dignified one becomes (sarcasm) the less this happens – that’s too bad!

Who? Who did Jesus use to find me? Who got you started on the road to allowing Jesus into your life, to save and change you? I remember sitting in a little Christian bookstore in a little town in Iowa listening and watching a man tell me about what Jesus could do to change my life. I will never regret taking that step in faith in the third week in July 1976, I wish I had the time to tell you all about the experiences I have had! Someone told you about Jesus, and now He is calling you to tell someone else. Romans 10:14, “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching [telling them]?” (from Audrey’s notes). Again, it is one Believer telling another individual about Jesus, and that individual being saved and changed, then finding another to tell about Jesus. Who is Jesus directing you to tell about Him?

How? How do I do this? In John 1:46, Philip approached Nathaniel and simply said, “Come and see!” Here is Pastor Moore’s plan for How to fish for people 101.

1)      Accept the personal responsibility.

2)      Share your personal testimony (Be a witness telling your story).

3)      Give a personal invitation.) “Come and see!” Philip brought Nathaniel to Jesus. Jesus brought the transformation in Nathaniel.) The Believer’s calling is to “bring” someone to Jesus.

What? What do you and I do now? GO FISHING!

 

LEARNING DAILY

John 10:27-28, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them. I give eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand.”

John 10:11, “I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.”

Pastor Ed Newton, Lead Pastor at Community Bible Church, spoke about one of my favorite passages this past weekend. Jesus was explaining what the shepherd does to protect his sheep; those hearing Him speak would probably know Ezekiel’s writing about shepherds who led irresponsibly and his prophecy that a day would come when He would send the Good Shepherd to seek out and gather the lost sheep of Israel. Jesus said He was that Good Shepherd.

It would be good for each person reading this to take the time to read the entire tenth chapter of John. This page of the blog is a summary of that chapter given by Pastor Newton. There is so much to glean from this and to understand in order to apply the teaching to your life. I pray you will take the time to read and study this chapter.

In verse 3, you will read, “To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear His voice, and He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out”. I have wondered about this verse for a long time; there are a lot of different voices trying to get the Believer’s attention. “The sheep know their shepherd’s voice and will respond to no other voice. The sheep know their shepherd’s voice because they are close to him” (Pastor Newton). It is important for the Believer to stay close to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, because He wants you to hear Him. The Word of God is His written Word to those who follow Him. Notice in this verse that “the Good Shepherd knows the sheep by name”; the Good Shepherd knows every Believer’s name! think about that! He knows everything about you and calls you to walk the narrow way in order to become like Him.

Verse 9 states, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture”. “Jesus is the only door, not one of many doors, that leads to heaven” (Pastor Newton). There was no door to the sheep pen in the days of Jesus. There was just an opening. The sheep would enter for the night and be content because they knew the shepherd would lay in front of the opening to keep danger from entering the pen.

Verse 10 is important! “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” “The thief is the devil – disguised as an angel of light, found also in the false teachers, false prophets, and religious leaders who are leading people away from God’s Word. This blog has spent quite a bit of time lately discussing those who are leading people away from the way Jesus desires His followers to walk. Jesus came to give life – eternal life with Him in His kingdom – life in abundance. Many would teach/preach that an abundant life means wealth, prosperity, driving the luxury cars, social status, prestige, and a high position. But Jesus is not talking about any of that. He is talking an abundant spiritual life, a life growing in one’s relationship to Him, and a life consisting of love, joy, peace, and the rest of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), not an abundance of stuff! “This comes from following [pursuing] Jesus; He is the Blesser. We don’t chase Him because of what He gives” (Pastor Newton).

That brings us to Pastor Newton’s last verse, John 10:27-28, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them. I give eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand.” The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep – all who would come to Him to be saved and changed by Him. For those who do, the Good Shepherd’s promise is clear. “They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand.” This is permanent and unalterable relationship with Jesus Christ.  The eternal life given by Jesus to His “sheep”, to true believers, cannot be stolen, withdrawn, or lost!

The takeaway statement on the Listener Guide is clear. “The Lord is MY Shepherd! Is He yours?”

 

LEARNING DAILY

1 John 1:7, But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all unrighteousness.

The week began with Pastor Ed Newton speaking about Jesus being the Light of the World. Let’s end the week with John calling on Believers to walk in a simple, day-by-day, moment-by-moment walk with Jesus. David Jeremiah summarizes the verse above in these words, “Just walk with Jesus all day long”. Jeremiah wrote, “John says: Let’s make it simple. Walk with Jesus. Cling to your faith. Stay in the light. When you sin, confess, and move on. And show your love for Jesus by loving your brothers and sisters in His name.”

I have found the saying that nothing good occurs after dark is more often true than not. In verse 6, John writes, “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth”. If God is Light and has no darkness, then a Believer cannot walk both with God and in darkness. In other words, one who claims to be saved by Jesus Christ, but continues to live as he/she always has, showing no change is only talking. There is no one person who is capable of looking into another person’s heart; only God can do that. However, one who shows no evidence of being changed –people can see that.

To walk in darkness represents a sinful lifestyle that consistently does things that God hates; it is walking a broad way that leads to destruction. In other Scriptures this lifestyle consists of satisfying personal desires and self-centeredness. Scripture lists all sorts of activities covered by this. The question one needs to ask here is: Am I living to please myself or to please God.

The opposite of walking in darkness is living in the light. Because Jesus took the place of “whosoever would believe” the Believer moves from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of Light. Walking in the Light is living the way God wants us to; it is walking a narrow way into His kingdom. This is a walk of growing, maturing in becoming more like Jesus.

When we walk in the Light, the second part of verse 7 states two things happen. First, Believers have community and fellowship with one another. Believers want to be around other Believers as it builds their faith and helps them to live the way Gods wants them to. I have been helped many times by fellow Believers when I have questions or when I need to be corrected. I have even helped a few over the years. The point is we need each other for many different reasons!

The second thing that happens is “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all unrighteousness”. Believers are forgiven the moment Jesus Christ becomes their Savior – past, present, future. Yet, Believers continue to sin and find themselves in need of forgiveness. I have found that being a Believer, I am much more aware of sin I commit. I have also found that I must confess it right away. The presence of sin in my life does not mean I am lost. I have written many times what John wrote in verse 9. “If we confess our sins [this is written to Believers], then He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness”.

As a Believer, you and I are “to walk as children of the light” (Ephesians 5:8). We are to walk the narrow way by following His teachings and instructions found in His Word, living in His power, and growing in His grace.

 

LEARNING DAILY

2 Peter2:18-19, They brag about themselves with empty, foolish boasting. With lustful desire as they bait, they lure back into sin those who have just escaped from such wicked living. They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves to sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you. (New Living Translation)

In the second letter Peter wrote to Christians, he was very concerned with false teachers who had infiltrated the young church. The two verses are only of many that describe these false teachers. Read all of chapter two in order to get a much better idea of the characteristics and traits of false teachers that Peter gives; you will notice that he spares no words when describing them. False teachers are still around. Jesus taught in Matthew 24 deception taught by false prophets/false teachers would be great in the last days.

Let me write at the very beginning of the page of the blog for every Believer to be diligent, “to work hard to prove that you are among those God has called and chosen. Doing this, you will never stumble or fall away. And God will open wide the gates of heaven for you to enter the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (New Living Translation). Believers are to pursue and hold on to the promises of God by living them out as they walk the narrow way.

I would guess there are many Believers who would like to be able to indulge in sexual sin, free from any guilt and shame. These same Believers would desire to be free from earthly and eternal consequences that come with choices made. This is the promise, according to Peter, made by false teachers; they teach one can sin without guilt or consequence, while keeping all the benefit of walking with Jesus. They might even say there is no need to confess their sin after accepting Jesus as their Savior.

Look closely at the verse above. False teachers are good with impressive sounding words – spoken and written – but the words are empty, nothing more than foolish boasting. They sound good to those who are new, weak, and unstable in their faith. These are individuals who are trying to escape their way of life before Jesus came into their life. The lies of these false teachers are difficult to resist.

False teachers promise “freedom”, the freedom to do whatever one wants, however one wants, and to be guilt free during and after the sinful behavior. However, this is a lie because “they themselves are slaves to sin and corruption”. Peter is saying false teachers are controlled by their own sinful passions. One who cannot overcome addiction and sinful behavior is controlled by that very thing. True freedom is the ability to say no to yourself, to those temptations that come against Believers as they walk the narrow way.

Is this relevant today? Yes, it is! There are those in churches teaching and preaching Believers can live any way they want without consequences. The word of God is being declared no longer relevant because it is just an old book. There are writings where the author wants to cause arguments over who is right and wrong over their biblical theology (“They brag about themselves with empty, foolish boasting.”). They are in and out of the church. Be alert. Be a Berean who searches the Word daily to be sure what is read or heard is actually God’s Word.

Let the words written by Peter encourage you today. “Now we live with a wonderful expectation because Jesus Christ rose from the dead. For God has reserved a priceless inheritance for His children. It is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And God in His mighty power, will protect you until you receive your salvation, because you are trusting Him.” Be diligent in seeking Jesus Christ. Stay in His Word. Stay alert because the devil is seeking to kill and destroy all who are walking on the narrow way. But God! He guards each of His Believers by His mighty power!

 

LEARNING DAILY

2 Peter 1:2-4, May God bless you with His special favor and wonderful peace as you come to know Jesus, our God and Lord, better and better. As we know Jesus better, His divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive His own glory and goodness! And by that same mighty power, He has given us all of His rich and wonderful promises. He has promised that you will escape the decadence all around you caused by evil desires and that you will share in His divine nature. (New Living Translation)

It is Peter’s desire that more and more peace comes to those who get to know Jesus Christ “better and better”. The peace that Peter writes about comes over time and as people gain understanding of Jesus Christ (at least for most people). For Believers this is certainly an encouragement to spend time in the Word of God reading/studying/meditating on what it says. Prayer time is also necessary. The more Bible study and prayer results in greater knowledge of who He is and how much He loves you; That is pretty important to each Believer as he/she walks the narrow way into His kingdom. Take time to think about spending eternity with Jesus!

This knowledge is important as the next thing Peter writes about is the divine power of Jesus “gives us everything we need for living a godly life”. The struggle with sin can be very real. For believers who struggle with continual sin, spiritual weakness, or even being indifferent or uninterested in greater knowledge of Jesus – well, that is their choice to make the effort to know Him better. He has given Believers everything they need to live the way He desires us to live. What does that mean? How do Believers get what they need? Believers can’t and don’t earn or work for it; everything needed comes, like salvation, through faith in Jesus Christ. Peter’s writings make God as the source of all life, and the only source of “everything we need for living a godly life”. The Lord Jesus sets the standard, “He has called us to receive His own glory and goodness!” He has called every Believer to follow Him in moral excellence and equips us to do so.

Read verse 5 to find what Jesus desires believers “to be diligent in adding to their faith” in Him; virtue (moral excellence), knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. Peter wants his readers to overflow with grace and mercy and that comes through greater knowledge of who Jesus Christ is. It comes from “that same mighty power, He has given us all of His rich and wonderful promises”. Again, that comes from God’s word. The more one spends with Him the more one gets to know who He is! That is just the same as spending time with people.

Paul taught, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” The Bible is God’s Word to humanity, written by human authors as God prompted and guided them to write what they did. That means that every word written in the original manuscripts was by given by God and intentionally placed there.

It is clear that God wants each Believer to be set apart and to be made holy. That is what the narrow way is all about; the big word for this is sanctification. He has given us everything needed to walk the narrow way. It is up to each Believer to choose to walk with Him in faith, to trust Him, to be obedient, and to be led by the Holy Spirit.