Posts
What do the following have in common?
George Soros
Barak Obama
Al Qaeda
Homosexual activists
American Civil Liberties Union
Americans for the Separation of Church and State
Liberal Progressives
They all are opposed to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the Bible. They also want to take away the freedoms and foundations on which this nation was established.
Some actually believe that the government knows better how to run our lives than we do. If that be the case, then how is it that so many (not all) of the government leaders are incapable of managing their own lives? Reports of sexual immorality, illegal campaign fund raising, not paying income taxes, awarding illegal contracts or pork barrel projects without going through the proper bid process and more are rampant among politicians from the White House, Congress, Senate, judiciary down to state, county and city governments.
Others want to abridge our freedom of speech and freedom to believe in God and the teachings of the Bible in an effort to stop us from telling them that what they are doing is wrong. They cry “tolerance”, but they do not respect the legal definition of the word. What they are wanting is censorship. They want to censor the Christian’s right to stand for what is right and they want the “tolerance” to allow them to promote their immorality. Something is not right here.
There is one more problem with some in this group. They have decided that they don’t want to follow the principles on which our nation was founded. They treat the United States as some evil empire that must be destroyed, not realizing that in so doing, they will remove the freedoms that give them the right to voice this selfish and irrational dissent. They want to disregard the Constitution, Bill of Rights and establish a rule in which they make the rules and can change them to suit their latest whim.
Oh yes, here’s another issue: Some of the people actually believe they can establish a One World Government. They really think that they can make all people in all nations obey and get along under one system of rule. What they haven’t thought about is: who is going to decide which system of rule the world is to live under. Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims and many other religions will each want their view respected and to be the rule of law. There will be many who will fight before they give in to someone else’s religion.
All of this comes down to one point. The problem with this entire picture is that these and many other people have taken their eyes off of following the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Some have never believed in Him in the first place so they engage in sin, corruption, violence, especially against Christians.
If God isn’t the supreme ruler, there will never be a “one world government”. None of the major religions will allow it unless they are the only religion in that government.
Look at it another way, we already have a “One World Government”. That is the Kingdom of Christ – the Church which exists around the world and is one with every other Christian around the world. No government, man or other religion can make that claim. Jesus Christ is our King. The church is His Kingdom and no nation on earth has been successful in stopping it.
Jesus’ government is a government of love, not hatred. Christians allow other religions to exist. Christians don’t engage in, condone or tolerate violence against another religion simply because we don’t like them. Instead, Christians establish that our government is superior by loving persuasion in which a person is free to chose to follow or not follow Jesus Christ. Show me any other religion that allows such freedom, forgiveness of sin based on grace, not on how good you are, has a risen savior and can promise and deliver eternal life.
Show me this kind of freedom in a Muslim controlled country. Where are Christians terrorizing or bombing those who don’t subscribe to Christianity? In a Muslim controlled country, if you are a Christian, you are at serious risk of losing your life if they find out. Women in a Muslim country have no freedom. Some are killed without even a trial because of some trumped up accusation that they violated Sharia Law. What “tolerance” or “freedom” is that?
It is time for Christians to stand up and speak out against those who threaten our Christian rights and freedoms. We must show the world that our “religion” is far superior than anyone else’s. We must also not allow anyone to take our freedom away from us by taking over our government, throwing out the Constitution and restricting what we can believe, say or practice as American citizens and especially as Christians.
God bless America
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
Who Makes the Rules?
Who Makes the Rules?
Have you ever played tag or hide-and-seek and changed the rules in the middle of the game? (Maybe you weren’t the one who instigated the rule change every time, but you probably did it at least once!) How often do you get into a situation today where you want to change the rules to fit your current circumstances? Did you notice how, as people kept changing the rules, that the game no longer became fun to play?
There is a lot of discussion going on these days about a group who would fit a definition of “secular progressives”. One of their root tenants is that each person makes their own rules as they go along and what’s right for me may not be what is right for you. One of their problems is that they don’t want to play by God’s rules. Another is that they often want to force me to play by their rules whether those are my rules or not.
In Matthew 15:1-20; and Mark 7:1-23, Jesus is challenged by some Pharisees who think He is not playing by the rules. He advises them that they don’t make the rules and they are not playing by God’s rules!
Pharisees Think They Make the Rules! – Matthew 15:1-2; Mark 7:1-5
Like many people today (secular progressives and immature Christians) the Pharisees challenge Jesus because He isn’t playing by their rules. They have found some trivial matter (how they wash their hands) that Jesus doesn’t do like they think He should and they are trying to force their standards on Him. The real point is that they are looking to find fault with Jesus so they can excuse themselves from believing in Him as God’s Son, the promised Messiah.
The world often makes rules that do not respect Christian values, but are resistant to God’s rules! They want to force us to live by or accept their (immoral and unchristian) standards, but are unwilling to allow us to influence them to live by our standards. Isn’t that hypocrisy? They want to justify their sin and keep us from telling them that it is wrong.
How many times have you tried to tell someone else how to live their life or handle a situation? How many times have others tried to tell you how to live your life? Even though we may be Christians, we still often get caught up in deciding for others about how they should live. Often times, our “rules” are beyond what the Scriptures teach.
Jesus Says God Makes the Rules! – Matthew 15:3; Mark 7:6-9
Jesus answers the Pharisees by quoting from the prophet Isaiah. He accuses them of breaking God’s rules and substituting their own. They get offended at Jesus’ reply because to them, their traditions are more important than what God’s Word teaches. They have conveniently packaged the Mosaical Law with all sorts of additional interpretations so they won’t have to obey it the way it is written. Sounds like some Christians today who want to re-write the Bible to make it gender neutral or take out the miracles of Jesus.
How often do we conveniently justify our divorce, anger, hatred, judging of others, breaking a traffic law, etc. just because we don’t want to admit our sin? What kind of witness are we for Christ when we make the rules instead of seeking to follow His? If we act just like the world, then why should they want to believe in our Jesus?
Jesus Proves His Point! – Matthew 15:4-9; Mark 7:10-13
Before the Pharisees can say anything to defend their errant behavior, Jesus cites one of traditions that the Pharisees use to justify their being disrespectful of their parents that are in total disregard to God’s Law. They have created a loophole where they don’t have to obey the Mosaical Law (which was given by God)! They think that they can make the rules!
As Christians, we want to be right before God. Often, in our sincerity, we will discover some point and immediately take it to others as though salvation is based on compliance to this newly discovered behavior. Or we will judge another person’s behavior simply because it is different than our own. Though we are well meaning, we have stepped beyond God’s Word to impose our standards on others.
Jesus Says All Sin is Self-Centered! – Matthew 15:10-20; Mark 7:14-23
Sin originates from temptations that occur in our minds. That doesn’t mean that the mere thought is sinful unless you dwell on it. However, the temptation passes through the mind before the body acts on it. Hence, Jesus’ point! We don’t sin by eating because that is processed and passed through. However,
Have you ever noticed what is in the middle of sIn? I have yet to find a sin that is not selfish. If you find one, let me know (and I’ll probably prove to you that it is as selfish as all other sin.) When we get self-centered, we will justify our actions every time. How does God view your actions?
“Getting To Know Jesus” will help you get through the trials and hard times of live as you see what Jesus went through and how much He cares about you. Call, email or write and let us tell you how you can start a “Getting To Know Jesus” Bible study group in your home or church.
Have you ever played tag or hide-and-seek and changed the rules in the middle of the game? (Maybe you weren’t the one who instigated the rule change every time, but you probably did it at least once!) How often do you get into a situation today where you want to change the rules to fit your current circumstances? Did you notice how, as people kept changing the rules, that the game no longer became fun to play?
There is a lot of discussion going on these days about a group who would fit a definition of “secular progressives”. One of their root tenants is that each person makes their own rules as they go along and what’s right for me may not be what is right for you. One of their problems is that they don’t want to play by God’s rules. Another is that they often want to force me to play by their rules whether those are my rules or not.
In Matthew 15:1-20; and Mark 7:1-23, Jesus is challenged by some Pharisees who think He is not playing by the rules. He advises them that they don’t make the rules and they are not playing by God’s rules!
Pharisees Think They Make the Rules! – Matthew 15:1-2; Mark 7:1-5
Like many people today (secular progressives and immature Christians) the Pharisees challenge Jesus because He isn’t playing by their rules. They have found some trivial matter (how they wash their hands) that Jesus doesn’t do like they think He should and they are trying to force their standards on Him. The real point is that they are looking to find fault with Jesus so they can excuse themselves from believing in Him as God’s Son, the promised Messiah.
The world often makes rules that do not respect Christian values, but are resistant to God’s rules! They want to force us to live by or accept their (immoral and unchristian) standards, but are unwilling to allow us to influence them to live by our standards. Isn’t that hypocrisy? They want to justify their sin and keep us from telling them that it is wrong.
How many times have you tried to tell someone else how to live their life or handle a situation? How many times have others tried to tell you how to live your life? Even though we may be Christians, we still often get caught up in deciding for others about how they should live. Often times, our “rules” are beyond what the Scriptures teach.
Jesus Says God Makes the Rules! – Matthew 15:3; Mark 7:6-9
Jesus answers the Pharisees by quoting from the prophet Isaiah. He accuses them of breaking God’s rules and substituting their own. They get offended at Jesus’ reply because to them, their traditions are more important than what God’s Word teaches. They have conveniently packaged the Mosaical Law with all sorts of additional interpretations so they won’t have to obey it the way it is written. Sounds like some Christians today who want to re-write the Bible to make it gender neutral or take out the miracles of Jesus.
How often do we conveniently justify our divorce, anger, hatred, judging of others, breaking a traffic law, etc. just because we don’t want to admit our sin? What kind of witness are we for Christ when we make the rules instead of seeking to follow His? If we act just like the world, then why should they want to believe in our Jesus?
Jesus Proves His Point! – Matthew 15:4-9; Mark 7:10-13
Before the Pharisees can say anything to defend their errant behavior, Jesus cites one of traditions that the Pharisees use to justify their being disrespectful of their parents that are in total disregard to God’s Law. They have created a loophole where they don’t have to obey the Mosaical Law (which was given by God)! They think that they can make the rules!
As Christians, we want to be right before God. Often, in our sincerity, we will discover some point and immediately take it to others as though salvation is based on compliance to this newly discovered behavior. Or we will judge another person’s behavior simply because it is different than our own. Though we are well meaning, we have stepped beyond God’s Word to impose our standards on others.
Jesus Says All Sin is Self-Centered! – Matthew 15:10-20; Mark 7:14-23
Sin originates from temptations that occur in our minds. That doesn’t mean that the mere thought is sinful unless you dwell on it. However, the temptation passes through the mind before the body acts on it. Hence, Jesus’ point! We don’t sin by eating because that is processed and passed through. However,
Have you ever noticed what is in the middle of sIn? I have yet to find a sin that is not selfish. If you find one, let me know (and I’ll probably prove to you that it is as selfish as all other sin.) When we get self-centered, we will justify our actions every time. How does God view your actions?
“Getting To Know Jesus” will help you get through the trials and hard times of live as you see what Jesus went through and how much He cares about you. Call, email or write and let us tell you how you can start a “Getting To Know Jesus” Bible study group in your home or church.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
The Power of Jesus' Healing
Jesus arrives in Galilee
The Power of Jesus' Healing
Getting To Know Jesus - 023 - Volume 02
Next time you become ill and need surgery or serious medical attention, wouldn’t it be nice if you could get that help without having to go to the doctor’s office? Just make a phone call and he you would not have to be exposed to other people’s illnesses. Doctor would not have to come visit!
Jesus gets news that John the Baptist has been put in prison because he spoke against Herod marrying his brother’s wife (we’ll cover this in a future lesson). Jesus now arrives in Galilee some six months after the Feast of the Passover. This is where He will spend most of the remainder of His ministry.
Jesus has to protect Himself! – Matthew 4:12; Mark 1:14a; Luke 4:14-15; John 4:43-45
Jesus’ return after John’s arrest suggests that He wants to make Himself less available to Herod less His purpose is interrupted. Luke suggests that it is the Holy Spirit who motivates Jesus to go to Galilee. Have you ever felt a strong urging to go somewhere or do something? Could that urging have been the Holy Spirit working in your life? Jesus is in the life-changing business. How has He changed your life?
John mentions that a prophet is seldom accepted in his own neighborhood. This is most likely a reference to the resistance that Jesus experienced when in Jerusalem. Jesus will later make this same observation of His reception in Nazareth where He grew up. It is a sad commentary when we reject someone because we knew him or her when (in the past) instead of accepting him or her now! Most of the prophets and Apostles were rejected in their home communities.
The Galileans welcome Jesus because many of them saw what He did in Jerusalem at the Passover and have told others about Him. Jesus is now able to go and teach in all of their synagogues because He has championed an injustice that especially affected Galilean Jews. He confronted the priests with their greed and price gouging in the selling of animals for the sacrifices.
Wealth cannot buy health! – John 4:46-47
Ah, Jesus returns to Cana of Galilee, where He had changed the water into wine at a wedding recently! Word has gotten around the region that Jesus is in the area. A royal official from Capernaum whose son is sick, hears about Jesus and goes to Cana to ask Jesus to heal his son. The road from Capernaum to Cana is 18 to 25 miles uphill (2,000+ ft. change in elevation)! 6-8 hours by foot.
At first, Jesus balks at the request because many people are more impressed with sensationalism and want a miracle instead of enduing the hard labor that makes for success. Jesus’ hesitancy has nothing to do with this man’s position, popularity or power. Can you accept people regardless of their race, vocation, social status or wealth?
At this point in His life, Jesus’ popularity is more for what He has done than for who He is. Faith in Jesus as a miracle worker is not the same as faith in Him as the Son of God, our Lord and Savior. Sometimes Jesus has to work on us before He can work for us!
Jesus can heal without being there! – John 4:48-50
The official came to Jesus because he believes that Jesus can heal his son. He continues to plead with Jesus to come to Capernaum and heal his son. He is persuaded that the only hope for His son is a miracle for healing by Jesus. He has ample access to doctors and they have been unsuccessful.
Jesus’ reply is for him to go home, his son will be okay. He trusts Jesus (a step of faith) and leaves. Faith = key, trust = lock, obedience = turning the key in the lock. Even the noblest leaders and the most affluent or powerful are reduced to beggars in the presence of Jesus. There are some situations that only God can heal but most of the time He uses doctors and medicine to do it!
Proof of Jesus’ power! – John 4:51-54
As the royal official from Capernaum is returning home, some of his servants are traveling to Cana to tell him that the boy is okay. The life-threatening fever is gone and the child is back to normal. The official inquires about when the boy got better and they tell him. He recalls that this s the same time that Jesus told him to go home, the boy will be okay.
This is the second miracle recorded by John and done by Jesus in Galilee. Jesus did some miracles in Jerusalem, but no others in Galilee until now.
CONCLUSION
Have you ever been seriously ill or had someone in your family that survived an illness that could have been fatal? How did you feel upon your or their recovery? Did you see God’s hand in their recovery? Did you want to tell others what God did and praise Him for His mercy and grace in bringing about healing?
It isn’t the miracles in your life that matter, but who Jesus is! What are you doing to build that relationship with Him?
God Bless and have a great week.
The Power of Jesus' Healing
Getting To Know Jesus - 023 - Volume 02
Next time you become ill and need surgery or serious medical attention, wouldn’t it be nice if you could get that help without having to go to the doctor’s office? Just make a phone call and he you would not have to be exposed to other people’s illnesses. Doctor would not have to come visit!
Jesus gets news that John the Baptist has been put in prison because he spoke against Herod marrying his brother’s wife (we’ll cover this in a future lesson). Jesus now arrives in Galilee some six months after the Feast of the Passover. This is where He will spend most of the remainder of His ministry.
Jesus has to protect Himself! – Matthew 4:12; Mark 1:14a; Luke 4:14-15; John 4:43-45
Jesus’ return after John’s arrest suggests that He wants to make Himself less available to Herod less His purpose is interrupted. Luke suggests that it is the Holy Spirit who motivates Jesus to go to Galilee. Have you ever felt a strong urging to go somewhere or do something? Could that urging have been the Holy Spirit working in your life? Jesus is in the life-changing business. How has He changed your life?
John mentions that a prophet is seldom accepted in his own neighborhood. This is most likely a reference to the resistance that Jesus experienced when in Jerusalem. Jesus will later make this same observation of His reception in Nazareth where He grew up. It is a sad commentary when we reject someone because we knew him or her when (in the past) instead of accepting him or her now! Most of the prophets and Apostles were rejected in their home communities.
The Galileans welcome Jesus because many of them saw what He did in Jerusalem at the Passover and have told others about Him. Jesus is now able to go and teach in all of their synagogues because He has championed an injustice that especially affected Galilean Jews. He confronted the priests with their greed and price gouging in the selling of animals for the sacrifices.
Wealth cannot buy health! – John 4:46-47
Ah, Jesus returns to Cana of Galilee, where He had changed the water into wine at a wedding recently! Word has gotten around the region that Jesus is in the area. A royal official from Capernaum whose son is sick, hears about Jesus and goes to Cana to ask Jesus to heal his son. The road from Capernaum to Cana is 18 to 25 miles uphill (2,000+ ft. change in elevation)! 6-8 hours by foot.
At first, Jesus balks at the request because many people are more impressed with sensationalism and want a miracle instead of enduing the hard labor that makes for success. Jesus’ hesitancy has nothing to do with this man’s position, popularity or power. Can you accept people regardless of their race, vocation, social status or wealth?
At this point in His life, Jesus’ popularity is more for what He has done than for who He is. Faith in Jesus as a miracle worker is not the same as faith in Him as the Son of God, our Lord and Savior. Sometimes Jesus has to work on us before He can work for us!
Jesus can heal without being there! – John 4:48-50
The official came to Jesus because he believes that Jesus can heal his son. He continues to plead with Jesus to come to Capernaum and heal his son. He is persuaded that the only hope for His son is a miracle for healing by Jesus. He has ample access to doctors and they have been unsuccessful.
Jesus’ reply is for him to go home, his son will be okay. He trusts Jesus (a step of faith) and leaves. Faith = key, trust = lock, obedience = turning the key in the lock. Even the noblest leaders and the most affluent or powerful are reduced to beggars in the presence of Jesus. There are some situations that only God can heal but most of the time He uses doctors and medicine to do it!
Proof of Jesus’ power! – John 4:51-54
As the royal official from Capernaum is returning home, some of his servants are traveling to Cana to tell him that the boy is okay. The life-threatening fever is gone and the child is back to normal. The official inquires about when the boy got better and they tell him. He recalls that this s the same time that Jesus told him to go home, the boy will be okay.
This is the second miracle recorded by John and done by Jesus in Galilee. Jesus did some miracles in Jerusalem, but no others in Galilee until now.
CONCLUSION
Have you ever been seriously ill or had someone in your family that survived an illness that could have been fatal? How did you feel upon your or their recovery? Did you see God’s hand in their recovery? Did you want to tell others what God did and praise Him for His mercy and grace in bringing about healing?
It isn’t the miracles in your life that matter, but who Jesus is! What are you doing to build that relationship with Him?
God Bless and have a great week.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Jesus Says...
Jesus is the Son of God. He is equal with God and receives His authority from His Father
“Then they all said, ‘Are You then the Son of God?’ So He said to them, ‘You rightly say that I am’” (Luke 22:70).
“For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother" (Matthew 12:50).
“Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth’” (Matthew 28:18).
“Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God” (John 5:17-22).
Jesus lived a sinless life
“Can any one of you convict me of a single misleading word, a single sinful act? But if I'm telling the truth, why don't you believe me?” (John 8:46, The Message).
Jesus had the ability to sin; if He weren’t able to sin, He could not have been tempted genuinely and would be unable to be our sympathetic High Priest (Hebrews 4:15). When He was tempted,
He always rebuked the thought with scripture (Luke 4:1-13).
Because He didn’t sin, God was able to accept His sacrifice. 1 Peter 3:18 says, “Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit.”
Jesus said that He is the one and only way to God
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me” (John 14:6).
It’s also interesting to note that Jesus did not call himself the destination, but the way, indicating that while salvation is immediate for the confessed and forgiven sinner, our Christian walk is a journey.
Jesus had the power to forgive sins and provide everlasting life
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die” (John 11:25).
“When Jesus saw their faith, He said, ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven.’ The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, ‘Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?’” (Luke 5:20-21).
"For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:40).
“I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.” (John 6:47).
Jesus predicted and orchestrated His own death and resurrection
“Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, ‘We are going up into Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again’” (Luke 18:31-33).
Jesus said He would rise from the dead and return
Matthew 24:27-30 "So as the lightening comes from the east and flashes to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man... At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory."
Mark 14:61-62 "Again the high priest asked him, 'Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?' 'I am,' said Jesus. 'And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.'"
Jesus clearly knew He was the Lamb of God, the Messiah spoken of in the Old Testament. He knew He had to live a life without sin, no matter what. When He returns, He will judge the sins of the world… except for those who have already acknowledged conviction, entered a plea of guilty, and sought His mercy by believing on Christ.
“Then they all said, ‘Are You then the Son of God?’ So He said to them, ‘You rightly say that I am’” (Luke 22:70).
“For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother" (Matthew 12:50).
“Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth’” (Matthew 28:18).
“Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God” (John 5:17-22).
Jesus lived a sinless life
“Can any one of you convict me of a single misleading word, a single sinful act? But if I'm telling the truth, why don't you believe me?” (John 8:46, The Message).
Jesus had the ability to sin; if He weren’t able to sin, He could not have been tempted genuinely and would be unable to be our sympathetic High Priest (Hebrews 4:15). When He was tempted,
He always rebuked the thought with scripture (Luke 4:1-13).
Because He didn’t sin, God was able to accept His sacrifice. 1 Peter 3:18 says, “Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit.”
Jesus said that He is the one and only way to God
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me” (John 14:6).
It’s also interesting to note that Jesus did not call himself the destination, but the way, indicating that while salvation is immediate for the confessed and forgiven sinner, our Christian walk is a journey.
Jesus had the power to forgive sins and provide everlasting life
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die” (John 11:25).
“When Jesus saw their faith, He said, ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven.’ The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, ‘Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?’” (Luke 5:20-21).
"For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:40).
“I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.” (John 6:47).
Jesus predicted and orchestrated His own death and resurrection
“Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, ‘We are going up into Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again’” (Luke 18:31-33).
Jesus said He would rise from the dead and return
Matthew 24:27-30 "So as the lightening comes from the east and flashes to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man... At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory."
Mark 14:61-62 "Again the high priest asked him, 'Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?' 'I am,' said Jesus. 'And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.'"
Jesus clearly knew He was the Lamb of God, the Messiah spoken of in the Old Testament. He knew He had to live a life without sin, no matter what. When He returns, He will judge the sins of the world… except for those who have already acknowledged conviction, entered a plea of guilty, and sought His mercy by believing on Christ.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Obey the Rules!
Obey the Rules!
My wife and I have been watching the World Series as the San Francisco Giants and Texas Rangers try to see who can win the most games. Have you ever thought about what makes watching a baseball game enjoyable? What is it that makes us want to watch football, basketball, soccer, even tennis or most any other sport? Why do we like to observe as one individual or team competes against another in an effort to win or gain some prize?
Let me ask the same question another way. What would happen if some of the players decided that they would make up the rules as they go along? They could say, “I’ll decide what’s right for me and you can decide what’s right for you, but don’t impose your morals or standards on me.” What kind of a game would we have then? There would be no game.
It is obeying the rules that make a sporting event sporting and fun to watch. If one team or individual were to decide that they didn’t have to play by the rules, the game would either end up in the two side fighting instead of playing or one side would simply refuse to play until the other side agreed to abide by the established rules.
One of the saddest comments I have heard of modern times is the quote I just shared: “I’ll decide what’s right for me and you can decide what’s right for you, but don’t impose your morals or standards on me.” Something is seriously wrong with the philosophy that each person can decide for themselves whether what they do is right or wrong and no one else can make them comply to some absolute standard.
We have all kinds of immorality, crime, corruption, greed, selfishness and consequences because individuals think they don’t have to abide by the rules. Our government is fraught with corruption in the current election cycle as individuals and groups try to push their power on others through stealing votes, intimidation of voters, trying to disqualify votes for the other candidate or sneak in extra votes for their candidate. Individuals lie, cheat, steal and commit crimes and then try to sneak in some excuse that they didn’t know it was wrong, the other person did something worse or it’s not that big a deal and should be just overlooked. There are times when it appears that we have no rules at all. How much longer can we survive if we don’t get back to following the rules?
A big question is growing in your mind. Who makes the rules? What set or rules do we go by? Even among governments, one country has one set of rules and another country is governed differently. Sometimes the one country laws justify them trying to take over and control another country. The resulting conflict ends up in war and many people die fighting for their rules.
There is a solution to this entire problem. There is a moral absolute, a one set of rules that applies to everyone regardless of their race or place or face. The United States became the greatest nation on earth because it was founded on the foundation of that one set of rules. As long as we have abided by that ultimate code of behavior, we have prospered.
But what has happened? In the last 50 plus years, forces have come in that sought to erode any allegiance to the one moral absolute on which our nation was founded. As a result, we now have corruption from my house to the white house. More and more citizens are deciding that they don’t have to obey the nation’s laws and many are even disregarding the existence and necessity of living by the moral absolute that is foundational to our Constitution and entire system of government.
Because of this, we have a breakdown in the family and institution of marriage. Because of this, we have more sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies, divorce, broken homes, and insecure, lost and confused children. Because of this, we have little regard for the posted speed limit and many other laws that our government only enforces if they feel like it.
In addition, we have groups who are coming out more openly against the moral absolute. They are so open about their behavior that they try to silence anyone who dares to suggest that there is a moral absolute and what they are doing is wrong by that absolute standard.
To get back to a question I asked earlier, Who makes the rules that we are to go by? What is this moral absolute and who decided it to be so? To answer that, we must go back to the origin of everyone and everything that exists on this earth. We were created by an all powerful, ever present, all knowing and loving God who created us for the purpose of a relationship based on love. God loves us and wants us to love Him, but in His divine knowledge, He chose to give us the free will to chose to love Him or reject Him.
God, in His divine knowledge, set up a moral absolute that frees us from the consequences of sin when we live by it. This moral absolute is found in the Bible. To sum it up most briefly, we are to love God and love others.
See Matthew 22:36-40 – 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
It is this foundation on Christian principles that has made the United States such a great nation. Our founding fathers, even the ones who weren’t Christian, recognized the value and importance of God as the ultimate governor of our society. Several founding fathers have expressed that our form of government and Constitution will not work without an allegiance to a Higher Power – the God that created the heavens and the earth.
It is time to recall the citizens of the United States to return to that moral standard. It is time to repent of our sin, stop treating the law as something we obey if we feel like it, and start becoming citizens who play the game by the rule book (the Bible, especially the New Testament). It is time to start reading the Bible as if it were the moral absolute that all mankind on this earth is to live by and then practice it in our lives so we can be an example to others.
It is time for Christians to follow the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and act like Christians instead of acting like sinners who go to church on SONday and pretend that they are what they are not.
God bless America
My wife and I have been watching the World Series as the San Francisco Giants and Texas Rangers try to see who can win the most games. Have you ever thought about what makes watching a baseball game enjoyable? What is it that makes us want to watch football, basketball, soccer, even tennis or most any other sport? Why do we like to observe as one individual or team competes against another in an effort to win or gain some prize?
Let me ask the same question another way. What would happen if some of the players decided that they would make up the rules as they go along? They could say, “I’ll decide what’s right for me and you can decide what’s right for you, but don’t impose your morals or standards on me.” What kind of a game would we have then? There would be no game.
It is obeying the rules that make a sporting event sporting and fun to watch. If one team or individual were to decide that they didn’t have to play by the rules, the game would either end up in the two side fighting instead of playing or one side would simply refuse to play until the other side agreed to abide by the established rules.
One of the saddest comments I have heard of modern times is the quote I just shared: “I’ll decide what’s right for me and you can decide what’s right for you, but don’t impose your morals or standards on me.” Something is seriously wrong with the philosophy that each person can decide for themselves whether what they do is right or wrong and no one else can make them comply to some absolute standard.
We have all kinds of immorality, crime, corruption, greed, selfishness and consequences because individuals think they don’t have to abide by the rules. Our government is fraught with corruption in the current election cycle as individuals and groups try to push their power on others through stealing votes, intimidation of voters, trying to disqualify votes for the other candidate or sneak in extra votes for their candidate. Individuals lie, cheat, steal and commit crimes and then try to sneak in some excuse that they didn’t know it was wrong, the other person did something worse or it’s not that big a deal and should be just overlooked. There are times when it appears that we have no rules at all. How much longer can we survive if we don’t get back to following the rules?
A big question is growing in your mind. Who makes the rules? What set or rules do we go by? Even among governments, one country has one set of rules and another country is governed differently. Sometimes the one country laws justify them trying to take over and control another country. The resulting conflict ends up in war and many people die fighting for their rules.
There is a solution to this entire problem. There is a moral absolute, a one set of rules that applies to everyone regardless of their race or place or face. The United States became the greatest nation on earth because it was founded on the foundation of that one set of rules. As long as we have abided by that ultimate code of behavior, we have prospered.
But what has happened? In the last 50 plus years, forces have come in that sought to erode any allegiance to the one moral absolute on which our nation was founded. As a result, we now have corruption from my house to the white house. More and more citizens are deciding that they don’t have to obey the nation’s laws and many are even disregarding the existence and necessity of living by the moral absolute that is foundational to our Constitution and entire system of government.
Because of this, we have a breakdown in the family and institution of marriage. Because of this, we have more sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies, divorce, broken homes, and insecure, lost and confused children. Because of this, we have little regard for the posted speed limit and many other laws that our government only enforces if they feel like it.
In addition, we have groups who are coming out more openly against the moral absolute. They are so open about their behavior that they try to silence anyone who dares to suggest that there is a moral absolute and what they are doing is wrong by that absolute standard.
To get back to a question I asked earlier, Who makes the rules that we are to go by? What is this moral absolute and who decided it to be so? To answer that, we must go back to the origin of everyone and everything that exists on this earth. We were created by an all powerful, ever present, all knowing and loving God who created us for the purpose of a relationship based on love. God loves us and wants us to love Him, but in His divine knowledge, He chose to give us the free will to chose to love Him or reject Him.
God, in His divine knowledge, set up a moral absolute that frees us from the consequences of sin when we live by it. This moral absolute is found in the Bible. To sum it up most briefly, we are to love God and love others.
See Matthew 22:36-40 – 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
It is this foundation on Christian principles that has made the United States such a great nation. Our founding fathers, even the ones who weren’t Christian, recognized the value and importance of God as the ultimate governor of our society. Several founding fathers have expressed that our form of government and Constitution will not work without an allegiance to a Higher Power – the God that created the heavens and the earth.
It is time to recall the citizens of the United States to return to that moral standard. It is time to repent of our sin, stop treating the law as something we obey if we feel like it, and start becoming citizens who play the game by the rule book (the Bible, especially the New Testament). It is time to start reading the Bible as if it were the moral absolute that all mankind on this earth is to live by and then practice it in our lives so we can be an example to others.
It is time for Christians to follow the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and act like Christians instead of acting like sinners who go to church on SONday and pretend that they are what they are not.
God bless America
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Real Soul Food that Satisfies!
Real Soul Food that Satisfies!
Getting To Know Jesus - 022
Has anything ever happened to you that revived your life or some aspect thereof? If you are a woman, have you ever felt like society looked down on you for something real or imaginary? Do you have a past that you feel makes you an outcast or second-rate citizen?
We have been discussing a conversation that Jesus had with a woman who has a “past”. Jesus asked for a drink of water and then offered her “living water”. She expressed a strong interest, so Jesus instructed her to go get her husband. She denied being married to which Jesus exposed that He knew she had been married 5 times and was currently living with a man she was not married to. She changed the subject to a spiritual issue and then left.
Physical Food is Important – John 4:27-30
The Disciples have returned from the village and are surprised to see Jesus talking with this Samaritan woman. Jews, especially a rabbi, just don’t associate with, or even talk to Samaritans, and above all not a woman! How would you feel if someone you admired and respected was talking to someone you despised?
The woman who was talking with Jesus is so excited that she leaves her water jar and goes to the village to tell them what she has experienced. She introduces her conversation with Jesus with a leading question that arouses the curiosity of the village leaders. First, she relates what caused her to consider Jesus, and then she challenges their curiosity with, “Could this be the Christ.” This causes much of the city to come to investigate what Jesus is about. Samaritans are also looking for the Messiah! What would it take to get you excited about telling others about Jesus? Could you use this approach to get others to investigate Jesus?
Soul Food is More Satisfying – John 4:31-34
The Disciples have returned from town with some food and are amazed to see Jesus talking with this woman. They offer Him some food, but He takes the opportunity to tell them that there is more to life than eating. How often do we get caught up in the physical instead of focusing on the spiritual?
Jesus appears refreshed instead of hungry because He gets filled when He is doing God’s work and He knows that He has just made a significant impression on the woman who has now returned to town. Have you ever said or done something that made an impression on others for Jesus?
People are Hungry for Soul Food – John 4:35-39
Jesus changes the subject to harvesting, which is four months away. There could very likely be a field of grain nearby that will soon be ripe for harvest. Jesus uses this to make a point.
He gets excited as He looks beyond the Disciples and sees a woman, and a village coming to learn about how they can make their lives better. Yellow wheat is ripe. White wheat is past ripe! This harvest of souls for God’s Kingdom is very urgent! People are very hungry to be “Getting To Know Jesus”! What are you doing to tell them so they can be “harvested” into God’s Eternal Granary?
Jesus reminds us that we each have different parts to play in the work of His Church. One plants, another cultivates, another harvests and still another takes that harvest and puts it to the use for which it is intended. What role do you play in the harvest of Jesus’ Church?
Soul Food Satisfies! – John 4:40-42
Though this Samaritan woman is likely looked down on, she phrases her comment in such a way as to pique the curiosity. This causes them to come and investigate to see if Jesus is who this woman says He us. What did it take to get you to come and investigate Jesus for yourself?
When the people from Sychar hear Jesus speak, they invite Him to stay with them and teach them more about what God wants them to hear, believe and do. He stays two days, and is well received by the people. Nothing is said about whether He does any miracles while there. This woman hardly knows Jesus, yet is already an evangelist! You don’t have to be a Bible college graduate or long-time Christian to bring others to Jesus.
CONCLUSION
The woman got the town’s people to come listen to Jesus, but their belief in Him is based on His testimony, not her life. Don’t ever let another person come between you and your relationship with Jesus Christ or you will likewise come as a stumbling block between others who are likewise seeking to see Jesus!
God Bless and have a great week.
Getting To Know Jesus - 022
Has anything ever happened to you that revived your life or some aspect thereof? If you are a woman, have you ever felt like society looked down on you for something real or imaginary? Do you have a past that you feel makes you an outcast or second-rate citizen?
We have been discussing a conversation that Jesus had with a woman who has a “past”. Jesus asked for a drink of water and then offered her “living water”. She expressed a strong interest, so Jesus instructed her to go get her husband. She denied being married to which Jesus exposed that He knew she had been married 5 times and was currently living with a man she was not married to. She changed the subject to a spiritual issue and then left.
Physical Food is Important – John 4:27-30
The Disciples have returned from the village and are surprised to see Jesus talking with this Samaritan woman. Jews, especially a rabbi, just don’t associate with, or even talk to Samaritans, and above all not a woman! How would you feel if someone you admired and respected was talking to someone you despised?
The woman who was talking with Jesus is so excited that she leaves her water jar and goes to the village to tell them what she has experienced. She introduces her conversation with Jesus with a leading question that arouses the curiosity of the village leaders. First, she relates what caused her to consider Jesus, and then she challenges their curiosity with, “Could this be the Christ.” This causes much of the city to come to investigate what Jesus is about. Samaritans are also looking for the Messiah! What would it take to get you excited about telling others about Jesus? Could you use this approach to get others to investigate Jesus?
Soul Food is More Satisfying – John 4:31-34
The Disciples have returned from town with some food and are amazed to see Jesus talking with this woman. They offer Him some food, but He takes the opportunity to tell them that there is more to life than eating. How often do we get caught up in the physical instead of focusing on the spiritual?
Jesus appears refreshed instead of hungry because He gets filled when He is doing God’s work and He knows that He has just made a significant impression on the woman who has now returned to town. Have you ever said or done something that made an impression on others for Jesus?
People are Hungry for Soul Food – John 4:35-39
Jesus changes the subject to harvesting, which is four months away. There could very likely be a field of grain nearby that will soon be ripe for harvest. Jesus uses this to make a point.
He gets excited as He looks beyond the Disciples and sees a woman, and a village coming to learn about how they can make their lives better. Yellow wheat is ripe. White wheat is past ripe! This harvest of souls for God’s Kingdom is very urgent! People are very hungry to be “Getting To Know Jesus”! What are you doing to tell them so they can be “harvested” into God’s Eternal Granary?
Jesus reminds us that we each have different parts to play in the work of His Church. One plants, another cultivates, another harvests and still another takes that harvest and puts it to the use for which it is intended. What role do you play in the harvest of Jesus’ Church?
Soul Food Satisfies! – John 4:40-42
Though this Samaritan woman is likely looked down on, she phrases her comment in such a way as to pique the curiosity. This causes them to come and investigate to see if Jesus is who this woman says He us. What did it take to get you to come and investigate Jesus for yourself?
When the people from Sychar hear Jesus speak, they invite Him to stay with them and teach them more about what God wants them to hear, believe and do. He stays two days, and is well received by the people. Nothing is said about whether He does any miracles while there. This woman hardly knows Jesus, yet is already an evangelist! You don’t have to be a Bible college graduate or long-time Christian to bring others to Jesus.
CONCLUSION
The woman got the town’s people to come listen to Jesus, but their belief in Him is based on His testimony, not her life. Don’t ever let another person come between you and your relationship with Jesus Christ or you will likewise come as a stumbling block between others who are likewise seeking to see Jesus!
God Bless and have a great week.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
How to Confront Someone With a Past
How to Confront Someone With a Past
(To get the maximum benefit from this message, read lesson 021 in Getting To Know Jesus - Volume 02.) This book is available at www.gettingtoknowjesus.org.
Occasionally you encounter someone who has a past. They have garnered a reputation for some kind of behavior that makes them a social outcast.
Jesus’ ministry is now in full swing. He is preaching, doing miracles, etc. In John 4:1-26 and parallel passages in Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus is traveling to Galilee. There is starting to be some opposition to Him from the Pharisees in Judea and it is way too early to die for man’s sins. After all, He has to train some people to establish His Kingdom after He is gone!
Know When to Retreat (Leave) – Matthew 4:12; Mark 1:14a; Luke 4:14a; John 4:1-4
Matthew says Jesus “withdrew” suggesting a removal from those who are already showing hostility. Sometimes the best way to handle a situation is get away from the troublemakers! Luke notes Jesus is “led by the Spirit”. There are times when the Holy Spirit will lead us to confront and times when he will lead us to break off contact with opponents. (Luke will never show Jesus in Jerusalem until the end of His ministry to emphasize the rejection by the Jews and ministry to the Gentiles!)
Therefore, Jesus goes to Galilee via Samaria. Most Jews go down the Jericho Road and cross the Jordan River rather than go through Samaria. Jews are known for their strong hatred of Samaritans – half-Jew and half Gentile. Jesus doesn’t have a problem with another person’s race, gender or place in life!
Engage in a Conversation - John 4:5-9
Like you and me, Jesus gets tired and thirsty along the way to Galilee and stops at Jacob’s Well just outside the village of Sychar, 31 miles north of Jerusalem. While resting, He sends the Apostles into town to get some food. (6th hour is 12:00 noon or 6:00 PM)
While they are gone, a Samaritan woman comes to the well to draw some water and Jesus engages her in a conversation. Lets listen in and see if there is anything here that applies to our life.
Sandwich the Truth with Love – John 4:10-18
Jesus begins the conversation by talking about the obvious – a need for water to survive. When witnessing to others, it is best to initiate on common ground and build some rapport.
This woman will feel very uneasy approaching a well with a Jewish man sitting beside it, but she swallows hard and proceeds so she can get her water, pretending that there is nothing to worry about. She comes to the well during the day to avoid the women from town who look down on her living in adultery! Are you hiding something in your past that you are ashamed for others to know about? Jesus knows all about it and He still loves you as you are!
She initially reacts with some alarm that He, a Jew, would even speak to her. Men seldom would engage in a conversation with a woman and a Jew would never talk to a Samaritan, especially a woman. Women were treated more like possessions than persons and she already has a past that makes her feel very ashamed.
Jesus doesn’t judge a person by their race, sex, status in life, or even their past. However, He does confront sinners with their behavior and exposes their need for repentance and a Savior.
Jesus takes the current circumstances and builds into a conversation that will establish Him as someone with whom this woman would want to identify. He gets her attention by asking her for a drink and then proposing that He is someone whom she should be asking for living water.
Jesus has initially gained her attention and makes her an offer of living water. She is tired of having to walk out to the well and draw water. No plumbing or public home delivered water supply!
Jesus has now gained this woman’s full attention. It is time to expose her need for salvation! He doesn’t judge or condemn her, but he will confront her with her sinful behavior and the need to change her life! She first tries to avoid her shame, but Jesus exposes that He knows the truth. She has been married five times and is now living with a man outside of the laws of marriage. Adultery and living together outside of marriage is sin!
Point the Way of Forgiveness and Healing – John 4:19-26
The Samaritan woman first marvels that a Jew would talk to a Samaritan woman and that He claims to have some kind of water that she would never thirst again. Then, after He confronts her with her sin, she turns theological and engages Jesus about where is the correct place to worship. She tries to soften her guilt and shame by talking about something else to draw Jesus off of her sin.
She challenges Jesus on the Jewish belief that Jerusalem is the proper place to worship God. Samaritans worship on nearby Mt. Gerizim. Jesus replies that God is not worshiped in a place, but in the heart of the one who loves Him and wants to worship Him.
CONCLUSION
The woman acknowledges the Samaritan expectation of the Messiah. Jesus declares that He is the Messiah! WOW! Is He Your Messiah?
(To get the maximum benefit from this message, read lesson 021 in Getting To Know Jesus - Volume 02.) This book is available at www.gettingtoknowjesus.org.
Occasionally you encounter someone who has a past. They have garnered a reputation for some kind of behavior that makes them a social outcast.
Jesus’ ministry is now in full swing. He is preaching, doing miracles, etc. In John 4:1-26 and parallel passages in Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus is traveling to Galilee. There is starting to be some opposition to Him from the Pharisees in Judea and it is way too early to die for man’s sins. After all, He has to train some people to establish His Kingdom after He is gone!
Know When to Retreat (Leave) – Matthew 4:12; Mark 1:14a; Luke 4:14a; John 4:1-4
Matthew says Jesus “withdrew” suggesting a removal from those who are already showing hostility. Sometimes the best way to handle a situation is get away from the troublemakers! Luke notes Jesus is “led by the Spirit”. There are times when the Holy Spirit will lead us to confront and times when he will lead us to break off contact with opponents. (Luke will never show Jesus in Jerusalem until the end of His ministry to emphasize the rejection by the Jews and ministry to the Gentiles!)
Therefore, Jesus goes to Galilee via Samaria. Most Jews go down the Jericho Road and cross the Jordan River rather than go through Samaria. Jews are known for their strong hatred of Samaritans – half-Jew and half Gentile. Jesus doesn’t have a problem with another person’s race, gender or place in life!
Engage in a Conversation - John 4:5-9
Like you and me, Jesus gets tired and thirsty along the way to Galilee and stops at Jacob’s Well just outside the village of Sychar, 31 miles north of Jerusalem. While resting, He sends the Apostles into town to get some food. (6th hour is 12:00 noon or 6:00 PM)
While they are gone, a Samaritan woman comes to the well to draw some water and Jesus engages her in a conversation. Lets listen in and see if there is anything here that applies to our life.
Sandwich the Truth with Love – John 4:10-18
Jesus begins the conversation by talking about the obvious – a need for water to survive. When witnessing to others, it is best to initiate on common ground and build some rapport.
This woman will feel very uneasy approaching a well with a Jewish man sitting beside it, but she swallows hard and proceeds so she can get her water, pretending that there is nothing to worry about. She comes to the well during the day to avoid the women from town who look down on her living in adultery! Are you hiding something in your past that you are ashamed for others to know about? Jesus knows all about it and He still loves you as you are!
She initially reacts with some alarm that He, a Jew, would even speak to her. Men seldom would engage in a conversation with a woman and a Jew would never talk to a Samaritan, especially a woman. Women were treated more like possessions than persons and she already has a past that makes her feel very ashamed.
Jesus doesn’t judge a person by their race, sex, status in life, or even their past. However, He does confront sinners with their behavior and exposes their need for repentance and a Savior.
Jesus takes the current circumstances and builds into a conversation that will establish Him as someone with whom this woman would want to identify. He gets her attention by asking her for a drink and then proposing that He is someone whom she should be asking for living water.
Jesus has initially gained her attention and makes her an offer of living water. She is tired of having to walk out to the well and draw water. No plumbing or public home delivered water supply!
Jesus has now gained this woman’s full attention. It is time to expose her need for salvation! He doesn’t judge or condemn her, but he will confront her with her sinful behavior and the need to change her life! She first tries to avoid her shame, but Jesus exposes that He knows the truth. She has been married five times and is now living with a man outside of the laws of marriage. Adultery and living together outside of marriage is sin!
Point the Way of Forgiveness and Healing – John 4:19-26
The Samaritan woman first marvels that a Jew would talk to a Samaritan woman and that He claims to have some kind of water that she would never thirst again. Then, after He confronts her with her sin, she turns theological and engages Jesus about where is the correct place to worship. She tries to soften her guilt and shame by talking about something else to draw Jesus off of her sin.
She challenges Jesus on the Jewish belief that Jerusalem is the proper place to worship God. Samaritans worship on nearby Mt. Gerizim. Jesus replies that God is not worshiped in a place, but in the heart of the one who loves Him and wants to worship Him.
CONCLUSION
The woman acknowledges the Samaritan expectation of the Messiah. Jesus declares that He is the Messiah! WOW! Is He Your Messiah?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)