THEME - New Testament Parables
May God richly bless you this day!
These devotionals are written by
the following men:
- DW - Senior Pastor, Dan Wilkenson
- RJS - Retired Pastor, Dr. Bob Shifflett
- DM - Associate Pastor, Dave Most
May God richly bless you this
day!
Saturday, March 1st
The Work of God’s Grace
Matthew 13:47-50
In this parable, the kingdom of heaven
speaks of all those who profess faith and allegiance to Jesus Christ
on earth. It includes the sons of God and the sons of the wicked
one who are sown by the enemy in and among God’s people. In
this story, God portrays His work on this earth in terms of a fishing
net drawing in everything in its wake. When considering a parable,
it is best to focus on the main point of the story. The point of
the story is that both God’s people and wicked people come
into the church through the work of the Gospel. This condition only
lasts till the end of the age. At the end of the age, God will fully
and forever separate all good and evil.
According to this story, this separation
is the work of angels. This separation is essential before establishment
of the Messianic Kingdom on this earth. It is important that we
build fellowship around doctrine, however, we need to appreciate
that purity of doctrine does not solve all of our problems. Our
Lord did not choose men foolishly or lightly and yet Judas was included
in the apostolic band. He was a hypocrite, a thief and a traitor.
As the Gospel goes forth today, we need to realize that hypocrites
and traitors find their way into the Gospel net along with the righteous.
What are we to do? According to the
Bible, it is not our job to separate the good from the evil. This
is a work of God through angels at the end of the age. The text
does not tell us how they will be able to do this. Jesus warned
his disciples that if they tried to do this, they would not be able
to do it. It is not possible for us to discern the difference between
God’s people and those who only seek to appear as God’s
people. We read where many of these are blind to their own condition
and have impressive outward works. Many folk in this position do
not understand that damnation is their end. Jesus said, many
are called but few are chosen. It would seem from Jesus’
words and from the parable that God’s grace does a work on
both, however, one group comes short of righteousness. The work
of the enemy is to blind their eyes to the truth of their own condition.
I never cease to be amazed at the blindness of people to spiritual
truth. No one who examines his own heart and life from the Bible
before God needs to be blind. DW
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Sunday, March 2nd
The Unmerciful Servant
Matt. 18:23-35
This parable speaks of the grace
and mercy of God through forgiveness. The story of forgiveness is
of the king’s servant who owes the king a huge balance of
money, a sum so large that it could not ever be repaid. The king
calls the servant to settle accounts and asks him for payment due,
even if the servant’s family was sold as slaves to pay partial
debt, knowing that the servant could not pay the entire balance
owed. The servant falls down and begs for leniency until he could
try to repay the debt. The master was moved with compassion and
instead of demanding total payment, he forgave the servant the whole
debt. The servant was freed from his debt based solely on the king’s
attitude of forgiveness.
This of course represents sinners,
of which every person is one, who owes God the debt of sin; a balance
that no one could ever hope to pay. The point to look at in this
first part is that we all, as sinners, must fall down (the
beginning of repentance) and beg for God’s forgiveness if
we ever hope to be freed from the penalty of sin. But wait, there’s
more. The servant only begged for leniency. We must beg for God’s
Mercy and Forgiveness, but we must also repent of our sin. We see
that the servant did not repent. Let us take a look at what happened
next.
The very same servant, who owed a
debt he could not pay, but had been forgiven, went and found another
person who owed him just a little bit of money, (pocket change).
Being merciless, the servant grabbed the other man by the throat,
demanding immediate payment, even though this man also begged for
mercy. The unforgiving servant would not listen and threw the other
man into jail. To be sure, we would not like to be in his shoes
when the king found out what had happened. Yes, the king did find
out and brought the unforgiving servant to task. This whole parable
pictures how God in His grace and mercy has forgiven us. Yet many
times we have problems forgiving others. We need to be reminded
about how much God has forgiven us. It behooves us as believers
to also forgive those who do even the littlest of things against
us.
Gracious Heavenly Father, thank You
for Your mercy in our lives. Help us to also forgive others from
our hearts, just as You have forgiven us. How we thank You for Your
Son, Jesus, our Savior! Amen. DM
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Monday, March 3rd
The Laborers in the Vineyard
Matthew 20:1-16
Our Lord Jesus used an earthly illustration
of hiring laborers in the land owner’s vineyard to teach a
profound truth of the Grace of God. The owner sent his chief steward
out five times to hire laborers. The first were hired about the
1st hour, the second group about the 3rd hour, and so on for the
following: the 6th hour, the 9th hour, and the 11th hour. In our
thinking it was 6:00, 9:00, 12:00, 3:00, and 5:00 o’clock.
The first men hired agreed to work for the price of a day’s
labor in that day. A “penny” as in the KJV and another
translation uses the word “denarius” in both cases it
means about twenty five cents in today’s money.
When evening came and the workers
gathered at the pay table to receive their wages, the vineyard owner
said to pay those who were hired last first. They received their
penny, the next, their penny and so on until those who had worked
all day also received their penny. Now we see complaining and griping.
“We worked all day in the heat of the sun and those only worked
a short time. That’s not fair to us!” And here is where
the earthly illustration ends and the heavenly one begins. Jesus
used an earthly illustration to teach a heavenly truth.
Our God is just to all. His grace
in salvation is extended to the small child and the aged one on
an equal basis. So, you were saved as a child, should you have more
rewards in heaven than a person who is saved on their deathbed?
No, Salvation is based on the gift of grace, not on works lest any
person should boast. We can do nothing to earn our salvation, it
is a free gift. And in our parable the owner of the land expressed
this to those who had labored all day by saying. But he answered
one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou
agree with me for a penny? Take that thine is, and go thy way: I
will give unto this last, even as unto thee. Is it not lawful for
me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I
am good? Matthew 20:13-15. There are times when we see others
have so much and we become frustrated because we have so little,
but God knows and gives to us something the others don’t have.
Peace, love and assurance of our salvation that is far greater than
material things that soon fade and are cast aside for new toys.
Our relationship from God’s viewpoint will never change. RJS
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Tuesday, March 4th
Two Sons
Matthew 21:28-32
In this story, we see two sons. The
father commands both sons to go and work in His vineyard. One son
says he will, but does not. The other son refuses, but feels his
moral obligation and repents and goes into the vineyard to work.
If we would work in the vineyard, we must follow God’s will.
We see the character of these sons not in their appearance, but
in their work. From our Lord’s description, these sons illustrate
two groups in Israel.
One group professed great love and
zeal for God and His law. The other group was rebellious and stubbornly
followed the path of sin. The one group was the Scribes and Pharisees.
The other group was the publicans and sinners. In the ministry of
Jesus Christ, the publicans and sinners were coming to the truth
while the religious leaders were opposing Him.
The prophet, Nathan, used a parable
to open King David’s heart to repentance. As we consider our
own spiritual state, we dare not ignore the question of our lives
and God’s will. Self willed people would rather pursue temporal
pursuits than eternal, but God calls all of us to spiritual pursuits.
We tend to look at the rebellious child as the most wicked. In this
case, it is not true. In this case, the rebellious child has a deeper
understanding of truth than the compliant.
The deeper understanding provides
the foundation for God to work repentance on the heart, while blindness
keeps one from following through with his commitment. The one son
had a great appearance. He shows respect and professes willingness
to do His father’s will. The other son has great substance.
He has enough substance to be open about his refusal to obey, and
enough substance to realize his sin and repent. When it comes to
spiritual life, there is no substitute for substance. Jesus said,
(Matthew 7:21) Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord,
shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will
of my Father which is in heaven. We read in the book of
James that faith without works is dead. If we would
find spiritual blessing, grace must work in our hearts to bring
us to repentance from sin and spiritual life. If we have spiritual
life in our hearts, we will love and serve God. DW
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Wednesday, March 5th
The Wicked Husbandmen
Matt. 21:33-46; Luke 20:9-18
This parable gives us a clear picture
of what happened to the Jewish nation as they rejected Christ and
rejected the Gospel message and then how it was taken away from
them and given to the gentiles temporarily. Let us see how this
took place.
In verse 33, Jesus is alluding to
Isaiah 5:2 as He was speaking to the Jewish leaders, who were very
familiar with this Old Testament passage. The vineyard is a common
symbol for the Jewish nation in Scripture and here the landowner,
representing God, developed the vineyard with great care, and then
leased it to vine dressers, of course representing the Jewish leaders.
We then see in the different gospel
accounts that 3 different servants came individually. The “tenants”
(Jewish Leaders) beat the first one, stoned the second one, and
killed the third one. Jesus was speaking of how the Old Testament
prophets were treated by the Jewish leaders. “My son,”
represented the Lord Jesus Christ, whom they had killed and ended
up having the judgment of God fall upon them in losing the glorious
responsibility of representing Christ to the nations and to the
world. We see that as the vine dressers pronounced their own judgment
in verse 31, this was what Jesus used to pronounce judgment on them.
The Kingdom and all the spiritual advantages were taken away from
them and given to the gentiles.
Our gentile country is included in
this parable and we as a nation, have for a time, been blessed of
the Lord as the leadership and the church has sought to live and
preach and teach the unadulterated Word of God. Sadly though, our
great nation is in peril of judgment as many good people do nothing!
That is right; all it takes for bad people to get their way is for
good people to do nothing. Christians, this is a call to repentance!
This is a call to stand and move forward against the enemy. God
has called us to occupy and to preach the gospel to every creature!
May we do so TODAY! Let’s purpose to do what we can do TODAY!
Dear Lord Jesus, forgive us of complacency.
Help us to obey and to spread the Gospel to those we know. In Jesus
Name we pray, Amen. DM
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Thursday, March 6
The Marriage Feast
Matthew 22:1-14
This parable was directed to the
Jews and Christ was inviting them to a spiritual feast, the likes
of which the Old Testament believers had never been invited to attend.
However, it is also a type of the Marriage Feast of the Lamb. The
feast was prepared in eternity past and is now waiting for the day
when born again believers shall sit together in Christ’s presence
in Glory. Like in the type presented to the Jews and their rejection,
so the Gospel is presented in our day and we can either accept the
invitation or reject it. Many have rejected time and time again
this marvelous invitation to sit with our Saviour in the Marriage
Feast of the Lamb.
For two thousand years, the invitation
has been given to the world via the Scriptures. As the Scripture
says, it is seen in nature For the wrath of God is revealed
from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men,
who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be
known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are
clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even
his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Romans 1:18-20.
The invitation is advertised by church
buildings on the street corners. It is broadcast around the world
via television, radio, roadside billboards and the printed page.
In today’s market the Gospel is better advertised, but less
accepted. We must continue to offer this precious commodity to all
because we are commanded to do so by our Lord Jesus. Matthew
28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded
you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.
Amen. It is unfortunate that so many people of the world
and church members don’t have the righteous garments that
are offered, but are trying to get to the Marriage Supper of the
Lamb dressed in their old filthy rags of self-righteousness. Note,
the one without the clean robe of righteousness was cast into outer
darkness, another word for the place where the worm dieth
not, and the fire is not quinched, Mark 9:28. RJS
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Friday, March, 7th
The Fig Tree
Matthew 24:32-35
Matthew 24 covers our Lord’s
answer to questions His disciples asked Him one day as they were
leaving the temple. We read these questions in Matthew 24:3 …Tell
us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy
coming, and of the end of the world? They wanted to know
the time of the temple’s destruction and when Jesus would
come again. They wanted to know the signs that surrounded such an
event. .
There are no signs concerning the
current age. In this context, Jesus talks about the visible return
of Jesus Christ to this earth. Some have speculated that the fig
tree represents the nation of Israel. They have further speculated
that the generation which sees the rebirth of the nation Israel,
would not pass away until the end of the age. All those who attempt
to calculate the time of the end of the age will fail. The signs
are for the nation Israel. During the tribulation when these signs
happen, it is like a fig tree beginning to bring forth leaves. .
In the spring when this takes place,
people ought to discern that summer is near. Therefore, during the
tribulation, when people see the signs they should realize that
the Second Coming of Jesus Christ to this earth is near. The Jews
of the generation that see these signs Jesus mentioned will not
pass away until the end.
We need to appreciate that the nation
of Israel is God’s clock. In Daniel’s prophecy, we see
the time that God allotted for Israel. Currently, we are in the
times of the gentiles. Gentiles have no interest in signs. We read
in 1 Corinthians 1:22 … the Jews require a sign, and
the Greeks seek after wisdom… The wisdom of this
world is foolishness to God. Jesus said that Jerusalem would be
trodden down of the gentiles until the times of the gentiles are
fulfilled. It is interesting to note that at this hour, both Christians
and Jews believe that the coming of the Lord is near. Why is that?
The signs that Jesus talked about are visible today, and just like
the fig tree, we need to appreciate that the end is near. We need
to watch and pray. We need to be ready. DW
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Saturday, March 8th
The Ten Virgins
Matt. 25:1-13
Jesus is giving a clear message to
us of what the kingdom of God is like. There are so-called “Christian
people” everywhere you turn, aren’t there? If you were
to ask most people today if they were “Christian,” they
would answer, “Of course, after all I am not a heathen.”
Sadly, that false profession is what most people think a Christian
is, but that is only a lie straight from the pit of hell as we look
into this passage further.
We see in this parable that there
were 10 virgins. These ten virgins represent “professing”
believers! Ten people who claim to know Christ. Ten people who profess
to be “Christian.” There were 5 wise people and there
were 5 foolish people. We see here that Jesus is speaking to those
who will “hear and obey.” The wise people represent
those who love and obey God. 1 John 2:3-5 says, 3And
hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is
a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5But whoso keepeth his word,
in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that
we are in him.” The 5 wise people were getting ready
for Christ’s return and they were obeying God and living for
God.
This cannot be said for the other
5. These other 5 were very unwise. These fools professed to know
Christ as so many people do today. But they were not watching for
Christ, they were not living for Christ, and they were not obeying
Christ. These 5 went into eternity not knowing Christ and He proclaims
judgment on them saying in verse 10-12, 10And while they went
to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with
him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11Afterward came also
the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12But he answered
and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.”
Folks, where do you stand? Are you
as one of the wise people who is daily working for God and obediently
looking for Christ’s return, or are you as one of the foolish
ones who only professes to know Him, but instead going your own
way?! Oh that we might learn an important lesson of true repentance
today! May we obediently live for Christ till He comes! “Dear
God, how ashamed we are of our false professions. Have mercy on
us, forgive us and help us to live for You! Amen.” DM
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Sunday, March 9th
The Parable of the Talents
Matthew 25:14-30
This parable refers to Christians
and the talents they receive from the Lord and how they use them.
Some have suggested these first refer to ministers and missionaries
and other leaders in the church who have been blessed with knowledge
of the Word of God. They have received from the Lord special training
and responsibilities that the average lay person has not been exposed
to. However, that does not excuse other believers from using the
God given talents they have received to further the cause of Christ.
These gifts were given to three people
and we see immediately that two are faithful, but the third is miserly
and does not put his talent to use for the Lord. There are many
gifts for us to take advantage of to use for our Lord. The gift
of prayer is most important, if not the most important gift. It
is profitable for us to pray for the leaders of the church and every
person who sits in the pew.
I heard this illustration many years
ago and it bears repeating now. “The church sexton was working
late in the church one Saturday evening and was surprised to hear
a voice in the sanctuary. He quietly stepped into the back of the
room and heard the minister praying for the people that would be
sitting in each pew. The minister was stopping at each pew and kneeling
and calling the families by name and asking the Lord for a special
blessing upon them in the Sunday Worship.”
We e-mail the prayer letters to 42
families in the church and I wonder if all 42 families pray for
the requests. It seems that most are praying and we are seeing answers
to our requests and the people requesting prayer thank you. We try
to follow up with a note of praise for the answers.
Other talents the Lord gives us are
the ability to financially support the church, to teach a Sunday
School class, to be a volunteer and help in Liberty Academy, to
witness to lost souls in visitation and prayer, and to visit the
sick and elderly. Every Christian has at least one talent, most
have more. John 4:35 … behold, I say unto you, Lift
up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already
to harvest. RJS
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Monday, March 10th
The Sheep and the Goats
Matthew 24:31-46
The separating of the sheep and the
goats here is a picture of God judging the nations. At the end of
the tribulation, God will gather the people as nations before Him.
Only the righteous will enter the kingdom age. It will be even as
the flood of Noah’s day. There will be a complete separation
of good and evil on this earth. God often begins a new age with
this kind of division.
God likens the good people and nations
to sheep and the evil as goats. We don’t often think in these
terms, but I believe even today, people could be divided along the
same lines. There are good people. Their destiny is heaven, and
there are wicked people. Their destiny is hell. There is no middle
ground. The judgment of the nations here is based on the treatment
of these nations and people for the Jews. There were those who looked
on the affliction of God’s people and did what they could
to help. This action demonstrated the faith that was in the heart.
These people love God. These people love God’s people. They
love others as they love themselves.
Throughout the history of the world,
the enemy has hated Israel. At the end of the age, there will be
one last attempt to exterminate the Jews. The Jews were God’s
chosen people. They were the custodians of God’s Word. They
were a nation who identified with God. They demonstrated to the
nations around them that blessed is the nation whose God is
the Lord. They provided the line of the Messiah. Jesus was
of the tribe of Judah and the son of David. As such, He was the
rightful king of Israel as He walked this earth.
I believe that there are degrees
of damnation and salvation. In this judgment, the nation Israel
will be first in the kingdom, and there will be base nations. The
base nations are those who hated Israel. It is important to realize
that our choices in life as individuals and as a people, affect
others. In the kingdom, the people of the base nations will all
be redeemed, but they are base because of how their nation treated
Israel. We need to realize that our choices affect others for good
or evil. DW
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Tuesday, March 11th
The Growing Seed
Mark 4:26-29
The Gospel message is so powerful
and so amazing! It transforms hearts and lives from sin unto obedience
to God. Today’s parable tells us of the life changing work
of God unto salvation. Let us take a closer look!
When a person truly comes to Christ
as their Savior, the Holy Spirit enters the life of that person
and begins to teach and to show that person the ways of God the
Father through the Word of God as it is studied and memorized and
obeyed. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “17Therefore
if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed
away; behold, all things are become new.” That person
is made a new creature, a babe in Christ, thus, the growing seed.
This is known as the sanctification process. First a person is justified,
made new in Christ. Then the growing process is next which literally
takes place throughout a person’s entire life. Growing in
Christ, learning of Him, walking with Him, obeying Him, loving Him.
This is where true Christians are to be!
It is interesting though that many
times well-meaning folks seem to miss the obvious. When a person
leads someone else to Christ, that person sometimes thinks that
the one that was just saved should now know everything there is
to know about Christ. But this cannot be as it is a growing process.
There was an example given of a little baby born prematurely. This
little one was just a little over 2 pounds and was precariously
on the edge of life and death. As the parents daily prayed for this
little one, they became ecstatic when the little baby gained just
1 gram of weight. Say, when was the last time we got this excited
when we saw someone who was struggling in their new walk with Christ
because we expected them to be spiritually mature and instead they
were just growing slowly, maybe by just one gram. Yes, in time Christ
will accomplish His work in each life. We must realize we are only
the sowers and it is Christ who does the work of sanctification
and spiritual growing as we obediently submit to His sovereign plan
for us. Let us purpose to take care of our own lives and live for
Christ as He will put in the sickle one day and harvest those who
have been obedient to His Holy Word! “Dear Lord, how we often
look at others, rather than taking care of ourselves. Please forgive
us and guide us in Your Truth. Amen.” DM
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Wednesday, March 12
The Parable of The Householder
Mark 13:34
Mark 13:34-37 For the Son of
man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave
authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded
the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the
master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing,
or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And
what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch. The above verses
are the second most important verses in Scripture. The seventh saying
from the cross is first, It is Finished! The Jews were looking
forward to the coming of Messiah. Every young woman hoped she would
be chosen to be His mother. But when He came, they rejected Him
and still do. We are commanded to watch and be ready Matthew
24:42&44 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your
Lord doth come. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour
as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Matthew and Mark
both speak of the imminent return of the Lord, but each seems to
refer to His second coming as the time when He will set up His Kingdom
for a thousand years. I Corinthians 15 and 1st and 2nd Thessalonians
point to the Rapture of the church and in both cases it is without
warning.
There are no signs to be sought as
to the Rapture, but there are events that must take place in preparation
for the Rapture and Second Coming.
1. False prophets and pretended messiahs
2. Wars and rumors of wars and nations rising against nations
3. Earthquakes are more numerous and devastating
4. Famine and plagues on a world-wide level
5. Persecutions of Israel and Christian believers
6. Apostasies and the declaration of the Gospel to all nations
7. A breakdown of morals
8. Irresponsible parents and rebellious children
9. Social attitudes distorted and governmental degradation
10. The declaration of the Gospel to all nations
We are experiencing all of the above, so we know the Rapture is
not too far away, it may be today. RJS
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Thursday, March 13th
Two Debtors
Luke 7:40-50
In this account, our Lord takes the
common judgment in the hearts of people as the foundation to teach
a spiritual principle. This is not just something Jesus could do;
you and I can do the same thing. God writes His law on the heart.
Only those who have given themselves to evil, lack this understanding.
You hear folk talk about “common sense”. What is “common
sense”? I believe, in part, it is the law of God written on
the human heart.
We might think of this message as
one of common courtesy. In this story, a man forgives two debtors.
One has a great debt and one a small debt. Then Jesus asks which
man will feel the most love. This Pharisee, Simon, answers correctly,
he said, the one who received the most forgiveness. Then Jesus related
it to things going on in Simon’s heart. Simon’s love
for Christ was inferior to the sinful woman who was kissing and
washing Jesus feet. The sad truth was that Simon’s exterior
righteousness like that of most Pharisee’s was for self not
Christ. Simon did not want others to regard him as he regarded this
sinful woman. As such, Simon’s righteousness was flawed.
On the other hand, the woman’s
love and faith was pure. She found salvation as all that find salvation
do. She deeply felt her need and looked in faith and in hope to
Jesus Christ. Simon felt no need, and so he didn’t need to
look to Jesus Christ for hope and help. We cannot forget the heart
when it comes to salvation and righteousness. Gold is not all that
glitters. Many take on the robes of righteousness to get something
for self. In this sense, they are little if any different from those
who take hold of the pleasures of sin for self with the exception
that others are not deceived. This is why Jesus always had the greatest
condemnation for self-righteous sinners. They are spiritually blind,
but as they lead others they do much spiritual damage. Therefore,
they are destined to receive greater condemnation. It is better
that we be more than we appear than to appear to be more than we
really are. If we understand this, we will build our lives from
the inside out and not from the outside in. DW
The British military ruled Palestine
between the wars and until 1948 they rejected and frustrated extensive
Jewish immigration. The military had one thing in mind, they wanted
to control and colonize the Middle East and keep the massive oil
rich lands under British control. RJS
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Friday, March 14th
The Good Samaritan
Luke 10:25-37
This parable speaks directly to those
who would challenge the godly teaching and preaching of God’s
Word. There are those who are just disagreeable in every sense of
the word, against those whom God has placed in godly authority such
as pastors and teachers to congregations, parents to children, etc.
2 Peter 3:16-17 16As also in all his epistles, speaking in
them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood,
which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also
the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17Ye therefore,
beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also,
being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own
stedfastness.” When God’s Word is presented,
they will find fault and disagreement with the teaching and with
the person presenting the truths.
We see Jesus carefully speaking to
one of these persons who even was a supposed expert of the Old Testament
law, who falsely questioned how to receive eternal life. Jesus wisely
responded with an Old Testament question. In other words, “What
does the Bible say?” The man answered Jesus in verse 27. “27And
he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy
heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with
all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.” Rather
than learn from Jesus, this twisted man knowingly tried to justify
himself and went further, asking whom his neighbor was. Jesus carefully
explained to him that his neighbor is the one who is in need. Jesus
told him to go and have mercy on those whom he found were hurting
and in need of daily things. Do you suppose that this man listened?
Probably not and it is not likely that many of these kind of people
are really interested in obeying the Word of God as they should.
This is literally the work of sin and of Satan in their lives, leading
them in ungodliness. Jude 15, “…that are ungodly
among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed,
and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken
against him. 16These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their
own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having
men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.”
“Dear Heavenly Father, help us to faithfully stand and hold
fast Your Truth in our lives, to love You and not sway! Amen.”
DM
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Saturday, March 15
The Importunate Friend
Luke 11:5
Luke 11:5-10,And he said unto
them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at
midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 For
a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing
to set before him? 7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble
me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed;
I cannot rise and give thee. 8 I say unto you, Though he will not
rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his
importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. 9 And
I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall
find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10 For every one that
asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh
it shall be opened. It is interesting that this parable
follows Luke’s recording of the Apostle’s Prayer. Jesus
was teaching the unlearned men how to pray or how to address the
Lord God in prayer and to be consistent in prayer. Do you recall
as a child or as you are trying to teach your children to be patient
that children are very impatient. They want something right now!
Have they ever asked “Are we there yet?” “When
can I have it?” “Why can’t we go to McDonalds
now?” The most difficult problem for children and Christians
is to be patient. Romans 5:3-5 And not only so, but we glory
in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh
not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts
by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Note finally, the importunity of
the man; he wanted food for a visitor and he wanted it that night.
In other words, the lesson for us is to be consistent in our prayers.
Don’t plan on getting something from God if there is unconfessed
sin in your heart. First, put that sin or sins under the blood (I
John 1:7 & 9)and then bring your petitions to Him in a humble
and yet determined attitude. If you really want something, ask for
it. Joshua 1:9Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of
a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the
LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. This
is a good verse to learn today. RJS
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Sunday, March 16th
Material Values
Luke 12:13-21
The man who came to Jesus for help
probably suffered from injustice. Therefore, some may find Jesus’
answer troubling. What they don’t understand is that injustice
or not, material things should not be our focus in life. One of
the things I have found most troubling during my life is the material
focus of many of those who profess faith in Christ. Most churches
that I have known in my life seem to manifest more concern over
$1,000 than important Biblical truth.
Now I know we need to attend to practical
and material things. We are not to be wasteful or neglectful of
our resources. Yet, we need to understand that all the resources
this world can muster are of less value than our soul or I believe
even one soul. This life is but a vapor that appears for a little
while and quickly passes away. I am getting closer and closer to
50 and I marvel at how people can put so much focus on material
things. Life passes by very quickly and we can take nothing with
us. A sinful focus will lead us to sacrifice the permanent on the
altar of the immediate.
In this text, we read about being
rich toward God. How can we be rich toward God? The only thing in
our experience that will follow us from this world to the next is
people. Therefore, we ought to value family. We can take our children
and grandchildren with us, though we can’t take our gold.
A story is told of a rich man who pleaded with God to let him take
just one suitcase with him. As Peter meets him at the gates of the
celestial city, Peter asks him about the suitcase. The man wanted
to take something with him, so he filled the suitcase with pure
gold. Peter looked puzzled and so the man asked him why. Peter said,
“why you would bring pavement?” We read in the Bible
that the streets of the celestial city are paved with gold. Everything
in heaven is so much better than anything we have here, no one there
would bring anything if they could.
What would our lives reveal today?
Are we like the fool of our Lord’s story or are we wise? If
our love for gold exceeds our love for God and others we are foolish,
and we will probably not gain the whole world, but even if we did
we would still be fools. DW
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Monday, March 17th
Expectant Servants Watching
Luke 12:35-40
Are you ready?! Are you absolutely
sure that if you were to die this very night that you would be in
Heaven with the Lord?! Are you absolutely sure without a shadow
of a doubt?! Are you waiting and watching for the Lord’s return?!
Could it be today? Could it be tonight?
Hopefully, your answers would be,
“YES, come Lord Jesus!” We see clearly in this parable
the very same urgency for the expectant servant. We, as true Christians,
are to have our waists girded and our lamps burning and we are to
be waiting for the Master who is coming to take His bride to spend
an eternity forever with Him in glory! It could happen at any time!
We must be ready for no man knoweth
the hour nor the day when the Lord will return. This is an urgent
plea from the Lord to those who claim to know Christ. We are to
be prepared, we are to be watching and waiting, we are to be witnessing
and making disciples, we are to be spiritually growing, we are to
be obedient to the call which God has given to true Christians to
love Him and obey Him. Unfortunately, we see many folks, who at
best, may religiously make it to church once or twice a month, those
who never open their Bibles and feast on the riches of the Word,
those who never witness for Christ, those who go their own ways,
doing their own selfish things with no time nor room for God. This
is a sad representation of many who profess Christ. They are not
ready, they are not watching, they are not prepared, and they will
be found wanting.
Say, we have been given the warning
here, so let us decide today to do something about it. Why not confess
sin. Go to the Lord and confess and repent of those things you know
are wanting and then begin today to live a life of expectancy as
if the Lord was going to return TODAY! Let’s ask ourselves
this question as we evaluate our lives before the Lord. What should
we knowingly do differently that we are not doing now for Christ?
Then as God shows us these areas, prepare and do what we need to
do to bring ourselves into readiness as we anxiously look for the
sure and imminent return of Christ! May His Holy Name be Praised
as we humbly obey! “Gracious Lord, forgive us when we become
complacent! Help us to be ready and watching for Your imminent return.
Amen.” DM
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Tuesday, March 18th
The Wise Steward
Luke 12:42
It is Christ’s design that
there should be stewards in His church whose duty is to give His
people spiritual meat by feeding the flock. Ministers who are feeding
the flock will find themselves to be spiritually blessed and the
church will prosper under their ministry. The ministry has blessings
for the minister on a daily basis that is not only in the material
things of life but also in the spiritual realm. There is no higher
calling than to be a steward in the house of the Lord.
On the negative side of the coin,
ministers who are only in the ministry for the prestige and social
position will find themselves condemned by the Lord at His return
for the church. They will be found guilty of very poor or bad stewardship
and will, thus, lose any rewards they could have had if they had
been faithful to their calling. Jesus declared that there would
be opposition to the Gospel and preaching sound doctrine, but that
does not give us license to avoid controversy and take the easy
path, but to be of good courage and stand for what’s right
regardless of the cost. A good steward or pastor will not water
down the message or bend to those who have itching ears and enjoy
pious platitudes. The Apostle Paul admonishes young Timothy to Preach
the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke,
exhort with all long suffering and doctrine, 2 Timothy 4:2.After
all there is no reason to be in the pulpit if you are not going
to sow the seed and preach the Word.
Lastly, in our parable of today we
see the ultimate reward for the unfaithful steward. The lord
of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him,
and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder,
and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. 47 And that
servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself,
neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes,
shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given,
of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much,
of him they will ask the more, Luke 12:46-48. There is no
greater condemnation for the steward than to be applauded by men
and condemned by God. RJS
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Wednesday, March 19th
Life with Purpose
Luke 13:6-9
I understand that it takes about
3 years for a fig tree to bear figs. Here we have a fig tree that
should produce figs, but it is fruitless. Sadly, many today take
comfort and security in faith, though their lives are governed by
self-will. When our hearts are full of self, there is no room for
God. In this parable, the owner says cut it down.
In light of such a statement, who can take security and comfort
from the sincerest faith, which is void of works? In this context,
our Lord is emphasizing the necessity of repentance. God’s
judgment will surely come on the lives of all those who do not repent.
At the time of Christ, most Jews
were confident that their circumcision and their physical decent
from Abraham were enough to ensure them a ticket to heaven. It was
not. Both John the Baptist and Jesus Christ came preaching the necessity
of repentance from sin. We see a very similar situation as we approach
the end of the age. Many today assume that profession of faith without
repentance from sin is sufficient to secure a ticket to heaven.
Sadly, they will come to find as the rebellious Jews our Lord warned,
that this is not true.
Thank God for this story. Although
the owner wants to cut it down the keeper of the vineyard asks and
receives one more year. God is not willing that any should
perish. As we think of God’s judgment, we ought not
be one who delights in it. God takes no pleasure in the death
of the wicked. His will and desire is that all come to repentance.
The word repentance means change. Before repentance, we love sin,
and are at enmity with God because He demands we repent and bow
before Him. We can’t understand why God won’t just let
us do our own thing. After repentance, we love Him and seek to turn
from sin. We come to see sin as something evil and destructive.
Our hearts are not immune from temptation, but our whole outlook
changes and we seek after righteousness rather than self.
We are not told what happened to
this tree, and it is not that important. What is important is that
we understand God will not wink at a life lived to self and sin?
God demands fruit in the lives of all that believe. I wonder today,
are you bearing spiritual fruit in your life? DW
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Thursday, March 20th
Counting the Cost
Luke 14:25-30
In this writer’s eyes, this
is one of the most poignant of all the parables recorded in the
Scriptures. In the 1950’s and 60’s, a new philosophy
was introduced into the Christian faith. It is now called “easy
believeism.” It is the teaching that all you have to do is
accept Christ or make a commitment to Christ. No repentance of sin,
no submission to the Holy Spirit, no self-sacrifice, no change in
your way of living, and we could go on adinfinitum, (or with endless
illustrations), but I think you get the point.
1. Nothing less than the first place in the heart must be
offered unto Jesus, verse 26. If there is any other thing
in your life that takes first place before Christ, you are not
following Him. Even family and loved ones are to be secondary.
You may disagree, but that’s what the Scripture says, and
you can’t win an argument with the Bible.
2. We must prize Christ more than life itself, verse 26. Life
is something we naturally prize. Satan told God that Job would
give up his faith before he would give up his life. Job responded,Though
he slay me, yet will I trust in him… Job 13:15.
3. Self-sacrificing is the marching order of the redeemed,
verse 27. Christ was crucified for us: are we ready to be
crucified for Him or die any other way He wishes? It is the martyr-spirit
that was seen in the apostles and should also be seen in us. I
know these are harsh words, but they are the words of our Lord.
4. We must forsake the world if we would follow Jesus, verse
33. Now comes a point that gets down to the pocket book. Have
you considered that all you have, all property, money, possessions,
children, your husband, your wife were given to you by the Lord.
You really own nothing, it is only lent to you for a few years.
5 The lost world needs such principles being put into practice
to keep it from corruption and decay, verses 34, 35. The world
is looking for sincerity and dedication in the Christian, however,
when they see only hypocrisy and think they are just as good as
we are, we have failed our Lord. It is the prayer of this writer,
that this sermonette is not too harsh, but will cause us to reconsider
our testimony before the world. RJS
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Saturday, March 22nd
The Heart of God
Luke 15:3-7
In this story, our Lord describes
the care of a shepherd for his sheep. This story is not a part of
our experience today. Those involved in agricultural pursuits don’t
often provide the care that our Lord speaks of here. The background
of this story is Jesus’ practice of eating and drinking with
the wrong crowd. Some self-righteous Jews were attacking Jesus for
eating and drinking with sinners. They had no love for people, but
Jesus had a heart for others.
I have noticed that there are folk
that don’t seem to understand what a church is all about.
They think that church is like any other organization where people
work and advance in some pyramid type of sales program. Nothing
could be further from the truth. Church is not about getting, but
giving. Here Jesus is giving of Himself in order to bring spiritual
help and blessing into the lives of those in need.
It is sad to think of what happens
here. These “spiritual” people had less regard for lost
souls, than most shepherds had for lost sheep. If a shepherd with
100 sheep lost even one, he would leave the 99 and seek the lost
sheep. This is not to say that the 99 are not important. It is just
that the need is with the 1 and not the 99. In this case, the diligent
shepherd finds his lost sheep and responds with great joy.
Think about what is being said here.
Most people spend their time doing things for personal pleasure
or reward. The heart of God is such that God rejoices when another
finds blessing and help. His reward is blessing in the lives of
others. His heart rejoices when sinners repent. Our Lord’s
critics knew nothing about this kind of heart. They sought righteousness
for self. They rejoiced when they were exalted over others. You
see, when one seeks the pleasures of this world, people recognize
the evil, but when one seeks for self in morality and religion,
people are often impressed. A person like Jesus is a threat to this
kind of religious order. If our faith and spirituality is healthy,
our hearts will reflect the heart of Jesus and not his critics.
According to this story, His critics had more concern for a lost
sheep than for a lost soul. DW
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Sunday, March 23rd
The Lost Coin
Luke 15:8-10
Have you ever lost money? What did
you do to find it? Did you just let it go or did you try to remember
where you had it last and what you were doing through out the time
that it was lost? Did you ask others to help you? This parable equates
the physically lost as the unsaved family member, and the found
money with the spiritually found life and what we should be doing
in our families to secure that which is lost.
The coin represents the family member,
the unbeliever who is lost. The coin (person) was lost through ignorance
or neglect, careless handling, no one telling them of the truth
of Jesus Christ. Interestingly, the coin is lost “in the house.”
Do you know someone in your own family who is not saved, but you
have never told them of Jesus? Sadly, the coin does not even know
that it is lost. We are to seek the coin diligently. We need to
pray for that person faithfully! We need to witness and pray walking,
bowing, bending, and kneeling.
Notice what takes place when that
coin is found, when that person repents and comes to know Christ
as Savior! Luke 15:9-10 says! “9And 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. 10Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of
the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”
Oh yes, Great Rejoicing among the
family and also among the angels in heaven. Have you ever been blessed
to have this experience?! It is truly a blessed day when that family
member repents and turns to Christ! We then, as saved family members,
need to see how important it is to diligently witness and pray for
those we know are lost among our own families. We need to pray as
never before that the power of the Holy Spirit will convict them
of sin. We need to live such godly lives before them that they will
truly see the difference in our lives. This is a big one for sure.
Our actions speak loud and clear as to whom we really serve.
Heavenly Father, many of us have
unsaved family members! We lift them up to You and ask You to convict
them of sin and of salvation. Help us to live faithfully so that
they will see You in us. Amen. DM
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Monday, March 24th
The Lost (Prodigal) Sons
Luke 15:11-32
Many commentators have written pages
and books about the three characters in this parable. Ministers
have waxed eloquent as to which one of the sons was the prodigal.
Others have called the father a prodigal father? It is certain that
we see all of the above. The son that demanded his share of the
estate was out of line. The son who stayed home and worked was jealous
of the other boy’s return and expressed himself. The father
was negligent in indulging the boy and giving him what he demanded.
Yes, all three were wrong in their responsibilities.
Irresponsible parents and governmental
intrusion into the family, such as Social Services, have led to
disrespectful children and indulgent parents to the point of no
return. In the last century, split families, i.e. one parent homes
and liberal educators have permitted Satan to seduce our children
and develop a generation of delinquent parents and a-moral children.
In recent years we have seen where
children have murdered their parents in order to get the parent’s
estate to spend it for the same things the son in the parable demanded
his share. In the signs of the end times as recorded in Mark
13:12 Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and
the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents,
and shall cause them to be put to death. There is no question
that we are faced with the above in today’s society. Surely,
we are living in the days immediately before the rapture of the
church. Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to
pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption
draweth nigh.
Lastly, The Prodigal son came
to himself, verse 17, and returned to the father in contrition
and confession. That is exactly what is needed for us to come to
Christ. We need to come to the end of our indulgent life and turn
from our wicked ways. This can only become a reality when we admit,
as the prodigal did, that we have wasted our lives living for the
satisfaction of the flesh and the devil. The Holy Spirit leads us
to a better way. That is the Bible way through Christ. John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. There is no other
way to heaven, regardless of what our modern society teaches and
believes! RJS
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Tuesday, March 25th
The Wisdom of the Wicked
Luke 16:1-14
Some may find this parable troubling.
Here we have a crooked servant. He is self serving and wasteful.
Because of accusations, he is called to account. He knows that he
will not pass the audit. What can he do? By further cheating his
master, he secures the favor of others and secures his future. He
knows he will be fired for his crooked ways. He has nothing to lose.
What is the point? We read, the children of this world are
in their generation wiser than the children of light. In
other words, people who live after the flesh are better stewards
of fleshly things than the righteous.
We have heard the saying that we
can be so heavenly minded that we are of no earthly good. This is
the point of our story. You have also heard it takes a thief to
catch a thief. This man understood that by giving of financial resources
under his control, he could build helpful friendships. Because we
rightfully see people like this as corrupt, we avoid this kind of
thing. When we do that, we throw out the baby with the bath. Sure
people use money to build friendships for an evil purpose. However,
we would be wise to use money to build friendships for a good purpose.
We read in Deuteronomy 16:19, Thou shalt not wrest judgment;
thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift
doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.
Knowing the power for evil, God tells
us to make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness
… In other words, we ought to make friends by means of the
mammon of unrighteousness. In any healthy relationship whether it
is in the church or home, there needs to be an equitable flow of
giving and receiving. If the flow becomes too inequitable or one
party or the other keeps too close accounts, the relationship suffers.
We all feel the need for relationships that go beyond a strict business
relationship. However, we would be wise to choose our friends wisely.
Making a friend of the servant of our story would be very risky.
He was a crook. DW
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Wednesday, March 26th
The Unprofitable Servants
Luke 17:1-10
We want to focus on the last part
of this parable today, but we will make mention of the first part
as it greatly applies to all of us. Jesus is teaching the disciples
the merits of forgiveness. First though, He tells them the warning
of bringing any offense to a child and causing them to stumble spiritually.
He says that it is impossible that no offense should come, but woe
unto the one that brings it. He then brings immediate application
in that it would be better for a millstone to be tied around the
offender’s neck and they be thrown into the sea. We are not
to lead children astray by any means whatsoever. He continues in
that if a brother offends us, we are to forgive him when he repents,
even if he does it time after time. The key here is repentance.
Forgiveness can only be accomplished as we submit to the power of
the Holy Spirit! Then Jesus mentions faith. Many times we feel inadequate
with God’s high standards. We see that if we have the faith
of a mustard seed, we could move mountains. You see, true faith
always involves complete surrender to the will of God!
Most importantly, we see that as
servants of the Lord Jesus Christ, we have a duty to serve Christ!
Many times folks seem to think that if they do even one little thing
for God that they should receive some kind of special reward, but
this is not the case. Instead, Jesus compares us to a servant who
has the duty to serve. When we consider the high standards of Christian
living, we many times become overwhelmed because we approach these
spiritual issues from the flesh. Jesus is teaching an important
spiritual lesson here. He died for you and me. He paid the ultimate
price for us. He gave His life so that we would not have to. Do
you begin to see the importance of living for Christ and obeying
His commands? As we submit to His sovereign will in our lives, we
are then enabled to fulfill the duties that He requires of us and
we do it with great joy in our hearts because we have been saved
from eternal damnation! May we really grasp this important truth
today and begin to serve Christ faithfully out of our love for Him
and His sacrifice for us!
Dear Lord, how we fail You so often.
Please forgive us. Help us to serve You faithfully with the duties
You have given us to do. Guide us in Your life giving Word so that
we may give all the glory to You. Amen. DM
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Thursday, March 27th
The Importunate Widow and the Judge
Luke 18:1-8
It is very interesting that before
Jesus enters into his parable, we are instructed to pray. Prayer
is the seed sown before we act. If we are going to do things on
our own, without consulting God’s direction first, we are
in the same boat as the judge in verse 2. The judge was not interested
in the pleading of the woman for justice, because she had nothing
to give him. He was on the bench for what monitory value he might
receive. Sounds like where we are in America today.
There are 221 prayers in the Bible,
176 in the Old Testament prayers are found in the Psalms. There
are 45 prayers in the New Testament of which 31 are found in the
Gospels. It is interesting that people are so quick to say we are
not under commandments as they were in the Old Testament, but this
will surprise you, there are 1050 commandments found in the New
Testament, and prayer is one of them.
What is prayer? It is communication
with God in the name of Jesus and we are to pray in the Spirit.
We are not told to pray to the Holy Spirit, but to be spiritually
prepared to pray. Not to be seen or heard of men, but to pray in
secret and God will answer in secret. Prayer is faith in action!
The woman in our parable is insistent and bothersome to the judge,
but in persistence he goes to bat for her. If we as Christians,
are consistent in our prayers, we will grow spiritually and become
more dependent upon God rather than being so self-sufficient. Remember,
we are to bathe every activity or decision in prayer. Reading the
Bible and prayer are what sustains us and keeps us from sin. If
there are problems in your relationship with your spouse or children
the answer is in calling out to God for help in times of need.
Lastly, let us hear and heed the
warning of the Lord in Luke 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge
them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he
find faith on the earth? Will faith be found on the earth,
when the Lord returns after the Tribulation? The Church will have
been caught out from among the unbelievers; the tribulation saints
will have all been killed. The Jews will still be in unbelief until
they see His scars and He tells them His brothers have given them
to Him. Yes, there will be very little faith at that time. RJS
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Friday March 28th
The Righteous in Heart
Luke 18:8-14
There ought to be little question
in anyone’s mind that all humanity has seriously lost its
way in this world. All of human history reveals man’s foolishness,
cruelty and oppression of others. Some believe that humanity is
on an upward spiral since the beginning of time as man has evolved
from a rock. The Bible teaches that we are on our way down apart
from God’s grace and intervention since the beginning of time
when we were created in the image of God.
Our text for today reveals these
same two hearts. The Pharisee is full of pride and self-satisfaction
as he compares himself with those around him. He is spiritually
blind and corrupt. The tax collector on the other hand, knows his
weakness and sin. He feels unworthy of the least of God’s
blessings and comes to God in simple faith seeking His mercy. The
proud Pharisee had only the appearance of righteousness, while the
publican opened his heart to the righteousness that only God can
give. Thus in our text we read, this man went down to his house
justified… If you and I are ever to find righteousness, we
must find it from God through sincere and humble faith like this
publican.
Then we read an important Biblical
principle. We read, ... every one that exalteth himself shall
be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.Jesus
said that all that is in the Bible can be reduced to two simple
principles. They are love for God and a love for others equal to
that we have for ourselves. Prior to the fall, I believe that this
principle was a powerful force in the lives of people. When the
fall took place, man died spiritually, long before he died physically.
Through spiritual death the dominant force in man’s heart
is self preservation. It is this thoughtless, “every man for
himself” heart that is ultimately responsible for all the
evil we see in this world. The book of Proverbs tells us that every
way of a man is right in his own eyes. Long before anyone
does anything purely evil, they justify the behavior in their own
hearts and minds. After all, if we don’t take care of ourselves,
who will? I wonder today, has your heart been lifted to a higher
plain than this? It can through faith in Christ. DW
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Saturday, March 29th
The Ten Minas (Pounds)
Luke 19:11-27
This parable brings us the wonderful
picture of responsibility and faithfulness that Jesus Christ has
given to those who would live for Him, namely true Christians. It
is important to realize that Jesus was nearing Jerusalem and the
disciples thought that the New Kingdom was going to immediately
appear. Kings in Roman provinces during that time actually went
to Rome to receive their kingdoms, including Herod the Great. This
also illustrates Jesus Christ, who was soon to depart to receive
His kingdom and someday soon will return to rule in the millennium.
We see that a Minas or Pound is a
measure of money slightly more than 3 months salary. Jesus Christ
has gifted every true believer with gifts, talents, and abilities
to be able to serve Him. He clearly gives us the command to “OCCUPY”
until He comes back. He literally has placed His business affairs
into the hands of true believers. Reaching others with the Gospel
of Jesus Christ! What a glorious privilege indeed!
We also see that the world hates
Jesus Christ and they reject His sovereign rule over them. They
refuse to acknowledge Him and surrender their lives to Him. They
want to have control of their own lives and sadly these are led
to their own their destruction; eternal damnation. On the other
hand, true believers will be rewarded according to their faithfulness
and the percentage of their labor. As we see in the parable, the
one servant labored more than the other and he received that much
more. The second one did labor, but not as much as the first and
only received his due. The first one gave everything, gave all,
and he received much. The second didn’t give his all and he
only received a little. The third servant did nothing and we see
clearly that he received nothing; in fact he was called a wicked
servant. He was condemned for what he did not do rather than for
what he did. Say, what has God given to you? Are you serving Him
faithfully with what He has gifted you in? There is much to do in
reaching others for Christ. Prayerfully consider these words and
ask God to help you to be faithful to His call for you.
Dear Lord Jesus, You are our Savior
and we thank You for the responsibility You have given to us to
tell others of You. Forgive us when we have failed and help us to
be faithful. Amen. DM
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Sunday, March 30th
The Rich Man and Lazarus
Luke 16:19-31
Most fundamental preachers do not
believe this is a parable, nor do I, but because some Bibles call
it a parable, we mention it. The above Scripture mentions people
by name and this is an opening of the after death experience, in
order that we may know the blessings of the righteous dead and the
torments and the condemned dead. There are many preachers who do
not believe in the resurrection of Christ or the literal place of
torment called hell. “Sin” is not mentioned. God is
a loving God and He would not send anyone to a place of everlasting
anguish and torment, but the Bible says there is such a place; He
that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not
is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of
the only begotten Son of God. And He that believeth on the Son hath
everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see
life; but the wrath of God abideth on him, John 3:36.
The rich man cries out for a drop
of water to quench his thirst in this flame. Just one drop would
help, but there is no way to bring it to him because of the great
gulf between the blessed and the suffering. Finally, the rich man
in torment pleads for someone to return from the dead and warn his
five living brothers. Abraham said in our text “Neither
will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”
How true, the Lord Jesus was raised from the dead and they do not
believe to this day.
As a young preacher, I was involved
in a “Good Friday Service” and each of the seven sayings
of the cross were used. One of the preachers explained it this way,
“God keeps two books, one with all the good deeds and the
other with all the bad deeds. At death each book is added up and
the book that has the most deeds determines our destiny.”
My message was on the words “It is finished.” I explained
that these words were the fulfillment of all Scripture and that
the plan of salvation was now fully complete. The gates of heaven
are opened to all who receive Christ as their personal Saviour and
repent of their sins; they have everlasting life. … For
I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to
keep that which I have committed unto him against that day, 2
Timothy 1:12b. RJS
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Monday March 31st
The Truth in Creation
Psalm 19:1-6
Did you ever stop and think just
why it is that God could use simple things from our day to day experience
to illustrate spiritual truth? The same God who created all things
reveals to us spirituals things. We ought to expect that there would
be perfect consistency between the physical world and the spiritual
world. In our text we read,(Psalm 19:1) The heavens declare
the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
The university began during the Middle
Ages. During this time, theology was held to be the queen of the
sciences. They rightly understood that the key to all knowledge
was found in the knowledge of God. Sadly, the enemy has confused
many people so that they seek to take worldly principles and integrated
them with religion. This is not what our Lord did in His use of
parables. He took simple common sense principles and showed how
that these commonly held truths reflected important spiritual truth.
We live in a day when people want
to take spiritual things and lock them up behind the four walls
of our church. In the law, parents were commanded to take God's
Word and teach it to their children as they lived life. Young people
needed to be taught that there is no great gulf between this world
and the next, but a consistent harmony. One day as Jesus talked
to His disciples about basic physical human needs, he told them
to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness
and then they would find these other things take care of themselves.
Sadly, many of the Lord’s people are willing to cut corners
morally in order to get ahead in this life. This is a short ride.
Success is always quick and easy in sin, but it is always short
lived. We find that even those who have been educated beyond their
own intelligence lead their day to day lives according to very simple
common sense principles. Furthermore, a careful examination will
reveal that these common sense principles are consistent with the
Ten Commandments and the teaching of Jesus Christ. As Christians,
we ought not to be ashamed or apologetic about our faith, but confident.
We are leading our lives as we ought. DW
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