Bible Lesson: Shepherds of Bethlehem.
Text: Luke 2:20 KJV
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
The Shepherds saw the angelic hosts.
In His great love, God condescended to man.
If heavenly Angels of God, shouted His praises, shall the hearts and lips of men be silent?
The angels proclaimed God's message, for the shepherds to hear...
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”
Isn't God's way, the way of peace and love, not war?
Isaiah 2:3-5 KJV
3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4 And He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
5 O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.
The Shepherds glorified God, and praised His name.
“And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.”
Then the Shepherds told everyone what they had seen and heard!
"And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds."
Have you seen the Lord?
Have you glorified and praised His dear name?
And if you have...
Do you make known, His message of “ God with us,” to all people!
Matthew 1:23 KJV
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Matthew 10:7,27 KJV
7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
27 What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops.
Matthew 24:14 KJV
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Mark 16:15 KJV
And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Acts 1:8 KJV
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Romans 10:9-10 KJV
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 10:9-10 NLT
9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.
II Timothy 4:1-5 KJV
1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Make this a “blessed,” Christmas, tell others how to find the Lord Jesus, our Emanuel, “
Friday, December 18, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Bible Lesson: Parables-Our Lord's-Marriage For The King's Son
Bible Lesson: Parables-Our Lord's
Parable: Marriage for the Kings Son.
Text:
Matthew 22:1-14 KJV
1 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,
2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
In this parable of the Lord Jesus, the King is God the Father, the Son is Jesus, the invited guests, are the Jewish people.
The King sent out His invitation to those invited (The Jewish Nation O.T.), ...
5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
The prophets of God, were refused, and killed.
Matthew 23:13-39 NLT
13 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces. You won’t go in yourselves, and you don’t let others enter either.
15 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you cross land and sea to make one convert, and then you turn that person into twice the child of hell you yourselves are!
16 “Blind guides! What sorrow awaits you! For you say that it means nothing to swear ‘by God’s Temple,’ but that it is binding to swear ‘by the gold in the Temple.’
17 Blind fools! Which is more important—the gold or the Temple that makes the gold sacred?
18 And you say that to swear ‘by the altar’ is not binding, but to swear ‘by the gifts on the altar’ is binding.
19 How blind! For which is more important—the gift on the altar or the altar that makes the gift sacred?
20 When you swear ‘by the altar,’ you are swearing by it and by everything on it.
21 And when you swear ‘by the Temple,’ you are swearing by it and by God, who lives in it.
22 And when you swear ‘by heaven,’ you are swearing by the throne of God and by God, who sits on the throne.
23 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.
24 Blind guides! You strain your water so you won’t accidentally swallow a gnat, but you swallow a camel!
25 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence!
26 You blind Pharisee! First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too.
27 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity.
28 Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness.
29 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you build tombs for the prophets your ancestors killed, and you decorate the monuments of the godly people your ancestors destroyed.
30 Then you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would never have joined them in killing the prophets.’
31 “But in saying that, you testify against yourselves that you are indeed the descendants of those who murdered the prophets.
32 Go ahead and finish what your ancestors started.
33 Snakes! Sons of vipers! How will you escape the judgment of hell?
34 “Therefore, I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers of religious law. But you will kill some by crucifixion, and you will flog others with whips in your synagogues, chasing them from city to city.
35 As a result, you will be held responsible for the murder of all godly people of all time—from the murder of righteous Abel to the murder of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you killed in the Temple between the sanctuary and the altar.
36 I tell you the truth, this judgment will fall on this very generation.
37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let Me.
38 And now, look, your house is abandoned and desolate.
39 For I tell you this, you will never see Me again until you say, ‘Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!”
At the second invitation, came John the baptist, God's own Son, and His Apostles.
The answer was still the same.
With the anger of the King, came judgment.
Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Fell under siege of the Romans, Vespasian and Titus.
The city and its temple were destroyed.
The King then looked for other guests to invite to the marriage of His dear Son.
Those invited in the highways and byways good and evil, are the Gentile Nations of the world.
The gathering room for these guests is the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Guests accepting the Kings invitation, receive the proper wedding garment.
Revelation 19:5-9 KJV
5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye His servants, and ye that fear Him, both small and great.
6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready.
8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
Romans 1:16,17 KJV
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Romans 3:23-25 NLT
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the penalty for our sins.
25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed His life, shedding His blood..."
II Corinthians 5:21 KJV
For He (God the Father) hath made Him (Jesus Christ God's Eternal Son) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.
Philippians 3:9 KJV
And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Titus 3:5,6 KJV
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6 Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
Acts 2:21 KJV
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Friend, do you have the wedding garment on today?
You can't buy this garment, you can't earn it.
The wedding garment doesn't come by baptism, confirmation, dedication, communion, church membership, giving, praying, etc. etc. etc...
Ephesians 2:8,9 KJV
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Many a soul today in cathedrals of darkness would rather through ritual, and eulogy, earn their salvation, rather than bowing and repenting, calling on the name of the Lord Jesus to save them.
One day, they will find that they are “without,” the wedding garment, and cast out, into outer darknes.
Hebrews 3:15-19
"...Today when you hear His voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.”
16 And who was it who rebelled against God, even though they heard His voice? Wasn’t it the people Moses led out of Egypt?
17 And who made God angry for forty years? Wasn’t it the people who sinned, whose corpses lay in the wilderness?
18 And to whom was God speaking when He took an oath that they would never enter His rest? Wasn’t it the people who disobeyed Him?
19 So we see that because of their unbelief they were not able to enter His rest.
Today, the King, yet calls those in the highways and byways, to come to the wedding of His dear Son.
Revelation 22:16,17 KJV
16 I Jesus have sent Mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Matthew 25:1-13
1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10 And 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.
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Parable: Marriage for the Kings Son.
Text:
Matthew 22:1-14 KJV
1 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,
2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy.
9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.
10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
In this parable of the Lord Jesus, the King is God the Father, the Son is Jesus, the invited guests, are the Jewish people.
The King sent out His invitation to those invited (The Jewish Nation O.T.), ...
5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
The prophets of God, were refused, and killed.
Matthew 23:13-39 NLT
13 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces. You won’t go in yourselves, and you don’t let others enter either.
15 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you cross land and sea to make one convert, and then you turn that person into twice the child of hell you yourselves are!
16 “Blind guides! What sorrow awaits you! For you say that it means nothing to swear ‘by God’s Temple,’ but that it is binding to swear ‘by the gold in the Temple.’
17 Blind fools! Which is more important—the gold or the Temple that makes the gold sacred?
18 And you say that to swear ‘by the altar’ is not binding, but to swear ‘by the gifts on the altar’ is binding.
19 How blind! For which is more important—the gift on the altar or the altar that makes the gift sacred?
20 When you swear ‘by the altar,’ you are swearing by it and by everything on it.
21 And when you swear ‘by the Temple,’ you are swearing by it and by God, who lives in it.
22 And when you swear ‘by heaven,’ you are swearing by the throne of God and by God, who sits on the throne.
23 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.
24 Blind guides! You strain your water so you won’t accidentally swallow a gnat, but you swallow a camel!
25 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence!
26 You blind Pharisee! First wash the inside of the cup and the dish, and then the outside will become clean, too.
27 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity.
28 Outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness.
29 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you build tombs for the prophets your ancestors killed, and you decorate the monuments of the godly people your ancestors destroyed.
30 Then you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would never have joined them in killing the prophets.’
31 “But in saying that, you testify against yourselves that you are indeed the descendants of those who murdered the prophets.
32 Go ahead and finish what your ancestors started.
33 Snakes! Sons of vipers! How will you escape the judgment of hell?
34 “Therefore, I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers of religious law. But you will kill some by crucifixion, and you will flog others with whips in your synagogues, chasing them from city to city.
35 As a result, you will be held responsible for the murder of all godly people of all time—from the murder of righteous Abel to the murder of Zechariah son of Barachiah, whom you killed in the Temple between the sanctuary and the altar.
36 I tell you the truth, this judgment will fall on this very generation.
37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let Me.
38 And now, look, your house is abandoned and desolate.
39 For I tell you this, you will never see Me again until you say, ‘Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord!”
At the second invitation, came John the baptist, God's own Son, and His Apostles.
The answer was still the same.
With the anger of the King, came judgment.
Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Fell under siege of the Romans, Vespasian and Titus.
The city and its temple were destroyed.
The King then looked for other guests to invite to the marriage of His dear Son.
Those invited in the highways and byways good and evil, are the Gentile Nations of the world.
The gathering room for these guests is the church of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Guests accepting the Kings invitation, receive the proper wedding garment.
Revelation 19:5-9 KJV
5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye His servants, and ye that fear Him, both small and great.
6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and His wife hath made herself ready.
8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
Romans 1:16,17 KJV
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Romans 3:23-25 NLT
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the penalty for our sins.
25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed His life, shedding His blood..."
II Corinthians 5:21 KJV
For He (God the Father) hath made Him (Jesus Christ God's Eternal Son) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.
Philippians 3:9 KJV
And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Titus 3:5,6 KJV
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6 Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
Acts 2:21 KJV
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Friend, do you have the wedding garment on today?
You can't buy this garment, you can't earn it.
The wedding garment doesn't come by baptism, confirmation, dedication, communion, church membership, giving, praying, etc. etc. etc...
Ephesians 2:8,9 KJV
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Many a soul today in cathedrals of darkness would rather through ritual, and eulogy, earn their salvation, rather than bowing and repenting, calling on the name of the Lord Jesus to save them.
One day, they will find that they are “without,” the wedding garment, and cast out, into outer darknes.
Hebrews 3:15-19
"...Today when you hear His voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.”
16 And who was it who rebelled against God, even though they heard His voice? Wasn’t it the people Moses led out of Egypt?
17 And who made God angry for forty years? Wasn’t it the people who sinned, whose corpses lay in the wilderness?
18 And to whom was God speaking when He took an oath that they would never enter His rest? Wasn’t it the people who disobeyed Him?
19 So we see that because of their unbelief they were not able to enter His rest.
Today, the King, yet calls those in the highways and byways, to come to the wedding of His dear Son.
Revelation 22:16,17 KJV
16 I Jesus have sent Mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
Matthew 25:1-13
1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10 And 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.
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Bible Lesson: Jesus-The Character Of
Bible Lesson: The Character of Jesus.
Would you like to be like the wonderful Lord Jesus?
The Character of Jesus Christ: (A partial list.)
* As a young man growing up, He was obedient to His heavenly Father.
Luke 2:49 KJV
And He said unto them, How is it that ye sought Me? wist ye not that I must be about My Father's business?
Luke 22:42 KJV
Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from Me: nevertheless not My will, but thine, be done.
John4:34 KJV
Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work.
John 15:10 KJV
If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love.
* Jesus was obedient to His earthly parents.
Luke 2:51-52 KJV
51 And He went down with them (Parents-Mary and Joseph), and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but His mother kept all these sayings
in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
* Jesus is our example.
Matthew 11:29,30 KJV
29 Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.
Matthew 16:24 KJV
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
John 13:15 KJV
For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
Attractive
Matthew 8:1 KJV
Large crowds followed Jesus as He came down the mountainside.
Luke 9:37 KJV
The next day, after they had come down the mountain, a large crowd met Jesus.
John 12:32 KJV
And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.
Compassionate
Isaiah 40:11 KJV
He will feed His flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in His arms, holding them close to His heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.
Matthew 4:23 KJV
Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And He healed every
kind of disease and illness.
Acts 10:38 KJV
And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who
were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
Confession
Mark 1:38 KJV
And He said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.
Luke 4:43,44 KJV
43 And He said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.
44 And He preached in the synagogues of Galilee.
John 18:37 KJV
Pilate therefore said unto Him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth My voice.
Empathy
Hebrews 4:15 KJV
For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:15 AMP
For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning.
Faithful
II Thessalonians 3:3 KJV
But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
Hebrews 10:23 KJV
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;)
Revelation 19:11 KJV
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war.
Forgiving
Luke 23:34 KJV
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted His raiment, and cast lots.
Good
Matthew 19:16 KJV
And, behold, one came and said unto Him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
Grace
II Timothy 2:1 KJV
Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace* that is in Christ Jesus.
* Grace-Greek-Charis (Khar-ece): Divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including: Gratitude, acceptable, benefit, favor, gift, joy, liberality, pleasure, thanks. (Abingdon/Strong)
Grace and Truth
John 1:14 KJV
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Holy
Luke 1:35 KJV
And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also
that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Acts 4:27 KJV
For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
Honesty
Isaiah 53:9 KJV
And He made His grave with the wicked, and with the rich in His death; because He had done no violence, neither was any deceit in His mouth.
Humble, Long, Suffering
Matthew 11:29,30 KJV
29 Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For My yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Matthew 27:12-14 NLT
12 But when the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent.
13 “Don’t you hear all these charges they are bringing against you?” Pilate demanded.
14 But Jesus made no response to any of the charges, much to the governor’s surprise.
Innocent
Matthew 27:4 KJV
Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
Joy
John 15:11 KJV
These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
John 17:13 KJV
And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have My joy fulfilled in themselves.
Just and Lowly
Zechariah 9:9 KJV
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation; lowly, and
riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
John 5:30 KJV
I can of Mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and My judgment is just; because I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath
sent Me.
Loving
John 13:1 KJV
Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that His hour was come that He should depart out of this world unto the Father, having
loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end.
John 15:13 KJV
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Merciful
Hebrews 2:17 KJV
Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to
God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
Patience.
I Timothy 1:16 KJV
But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others
will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.
Peace
John 14:27 KJV
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 16:33 KJV
These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Power
Matthew 28:18 KJV (Christ)
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.
Luke 10:19 KJV (Man)
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power* of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
*Greek-Exousia (Ex-oo-see-ah): Authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.
Matthew 16:19 KJV (The Gospel.)
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Prayer
Mark 1:35 KJV
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
Luke 5:16 KJV
And He withdrew Himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
Resisted Temptation
Matthew 4:3,4 KJV
3 During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”
4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,‘People do not live by bread alone,but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’
Righteous
Isaiah 53:11 KJV
He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied: by His knowledge shall My Righteous Servant justify many; for He shall bear their
iniquities.
Righteousness and Faithfulness
Isaiah 11:5 KJV
And righteousness shall be the girdle of His loins, and faithfulness the girdle of His reins.
Servant
Luke 22:27 KJV
Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among
you as one who serves.
Sinless and True
I Peter 2:22 NLT
He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone.
John 8:46 KJV
Which of you convinceth Me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe Me?
I Peter 1:19 KJV
But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Suffering
Romans 8:17 KJV
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.
Teacher-Liberator
Matthew 4:23 KJV
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
Isaiah 58:6-9 KJV
6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy reward.
9 Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer..."
True
John 7:18 KJV
He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but He that seeketh His glory that sent Him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.
Weeping (Before God.)
Hebrews 5:7 KJV
Who in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save Him from death, and was heard in that He feared;
Luke 19:41 KJV
But as He came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, He began to weep.
Wisdom
Colossians 2:2,3 KJV
2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Would you like to be like the wonderful Lord Jesus?
The Character of Jesus Christ: (A partial list.)
* As a young man growing up, He was obedient to His heavenly Father.
Luke 2:49 KJV
And He said unto them, How is it that ye sought Me? wist ye not that I must be about My Father's business?
Luke 22:42 KJV
Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from Me: nevertheless not My will, but thine, be done.
John4:34 KJV
Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work.
John 15:10 KJV
If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love.
* Jesus was obedient to His earthly parents.
Luke 2:51-52 KJV
51 And He went down with them (Parents-Mary and Joseph), and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but His mother kept all these sayings
in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
* Jesus is our example.
Matthew 11:29,30 KJV
29 Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.
Matthew 16:24 KJV
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
John 13:15 KJV
For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
Attractive
Matthew 8:1 KJV
Large crowds followed Jesus as He came down the mountainside.
Luke 9:37 KJV
The next day, after they had come down the mountain, a large crowd met Jesus.
John 12:32 KJV
And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.
Compassionate
Isaiah 40:11 KJV
He will feed His flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in His arms, holding them close to His heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.
Matthew 4:23 KJV
Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And He healed every
kind of disease and illness.
Acts 10:38 KJV
And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who
were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.
Confession
Mark 1:38 KJV
And He said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.
Luke 4:43,44 KJV
43 And He said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent.
44 And He preached in the synagogues of Galilee.
John 18:37 KJV
Pilate therefore said unto Him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth My voice.
Empathy
Hebrews 4:15 KJV
For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:15 AMP
For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning.
Faithful
II Thessalonians 3:3 KJV
But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
Hebrews 10:23 KJV
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;)
Revelation 19:11 KJV
And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and He that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He doth judge and make war.
Forgiving
Luke 23:34 KJV
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted His raiment, and cast lots.
Good
Matthew 19:16 KJV
And, behold, one came and said unto Him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
Grace
II Timothy 2:1 KJV
Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace* that is in Christ Jesus.
* Grace-Greek-Charis (Khar-ece): Divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including: Gratitude, acceptable, benefit, favor, gift, joy, liberality, pleasure, thanks. (Abingdon/Strong)
Grace and Truth
John 1:14 KJV
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Holy
Luke 1:35 KJV
And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also
that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
Acts 4:27 KJV
For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,
Honesty
Isaiah 53:9 KJV
And He made His grave with the wicked, and with the rich in His death; because He had done no violence, neither was any deceit in His mouth.
Humble, Long, Suffering
Matthew 11:29,30 KJV
29 Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For My yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Matthew 27:12-14 NLT
12 But when the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent.
13 “Don’t you hear all these charges they are bringing against you?” Pilate demanded.
14 But Jesus made no response to any of the charges, much to the governor’s surprise.
Innocent
Matthew 27:4 KJV
Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
Joy
John 15:11 KJV
These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
John 17:13 KJV
And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have My joy fulfilled in themselves.
Just and Lowly
Zechariah 9:9 KJV
Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation; lowly, and
riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
John 5:30 KJV
I can of Mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and My judgment is just; because I seek not Mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath
sent Me.
Loving
John 13:1 KJV
Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that His hour was come that He should depart out of this world unto the Father, having
loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end.
John 15:13 KJV
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Merciful
Hebrews 2:17 KJV
Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to
God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
Patience.
I Timothy 1:16 KJV
But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others
will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.
Peace
John 14:27 KJV
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 16:33 KJV
These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Power
Matthew 28:18 KJV (Christ)
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.
Luke 10:19 KJV (Man)
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power* of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
*Greek-Exousia (Ex-oo-see-ah): Authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.
Matthew 16:19 KJV (The Gospel.)
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Prayer
Mark 1:35 KJV
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
Luke 5:16 KJV
And He withdrew Himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
Resisted Temptation
Matthew 4:3,4 KJV
3 During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”
4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say,‘People do not live by bread alone,but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’
Righteous
Isaiah 53:11 KJV
He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied: by His knowledge shall My Righteous Servant justify many; for He shall bear their
iniquities.
Righteousness and Faithfulness
Isaiah 11:5 KJV
And righteousness shall be the girdle of His loins, and faithfulness the girdle of His reins.
Servant
Luke 22:27 KJV
Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among
you as one who serves.
Sinless and True
I Peter 2:22 NLT
He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone.
John 8:46 KJV
Which of you convinceth Me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe Me?
I Peter 1:19 KJV
But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Suffering
Romans 8:17 KJV
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.
Teacher-Liberator
Matthew 4:23 KJV
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
Isaiah 58:6-9 KJV
6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy reward.
9 Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer..."
True
John 7:18 KJV
He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but He that seeketh His glory that sent Him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.
Weeping (Before God.)
Hebrews 5:7 KJV
Who in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save Him from death, and was heard in that He feared;
Luke 19:41 KJV
But as He came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, He began to weep.
Wisdom
Colossians 2:2,3 KJV
2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Bible Questions Answered: Demoniacs Of Gadara
Bible Questions Answered:
I see that Matthew 8:28 says two demon possessed men, while Mark 5:2 and Luke 8:27, mention only one, why is this, and what seems to be the point of this story?
Arnold/ Liecester, U.K.
Bible Answers:
Yes, that is true, but it is only because one was violent, only one of the two came rushing out to Jesus.
What a warning this story is about, sin, and doing the bidding of the evil one!
Luke 8:26-39 KJV
26 And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee.
27 And when He went forth to land, there met Him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.
28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God Most High? I beseech thee, torment me not.
29 (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)
30 And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him.
31 And they besought Him that He would not command them to go out into the deep.
32 And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought Him that He would suffer them to enter into them. And He suffered them.
33 Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked.
34 When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country.
35 Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
36 They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed.
37 Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought Him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and He went up into the ship, and returned back again.
38 Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought Him that he might be with Him: but Jesus sent him away, saying,
39 Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.
Luke 8:26-39 NLT
26 So they arrived in the region of the Gerasenes, across the lake from Galilee.
27 As Jesus was climbing out of the boat, a man who was possessed by demons came out to meet Him. For a long time he had been homeless and naked, living in a cemetery outside the town.
28 As soon as he saw Jesus, he shrieked and fell down in front of Him. Then he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Please, I beg you, don’t torture me!”
29 For Jesus had already commanded the evil spirit to come out of him. This spirit had often taken control of the man. Even when he was placed under guard and put in chains and shackles, he simply broke them and rushed out into the wilderness, completely under the demon’s power.
30 Jesus demanded, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, for he was filled with many demons.
31 The demons kept begging Jesus not to send them into the bottomless pit.
32 There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby, and the demons begged Him to let them enter into the pigs. So Jesus gave them permission.
33 Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned.
34 When the herdsmen saw it, they fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran.
35 People rushed out to see what had happened. A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been freed from the demons. He was sitting at Jesus’ feet, fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid.
36 Then those who had seen what happened told the others how the demon-possessed man had been healed.
37 And all the people in the region of the Gerasenes begged Jesus to go away and leave them alone, for a great wave of fear swept over them. So Jesus returned to the boat and left, crossing back to the other side of the lake.
38 The man who had been freed from the demons begged to go with Him. But Jesus sent him home, saying,
39 “No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.” So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him.
This story shows us that:
1) The evil spirits, could “not,” enter the swine, unless given divine permission.
They had power over the man, because he had given himself in one form or another, to the devil.
2) A multitude of evil spirits may possess some one.
Luke 8:30 KJV “And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion*: because many devils were entered into him.”
*Legion-Greek-Legeon (Leg-eh-ohn): Regiment. (Abingdon/ Strong)
Legion: “The chief subdivision of the Roman army, containing about six thousand infantry, with a contingent of cavalry.” Smith's Bible Dictionary.
3) It has been said, and no doubt true, that the release of the multitude of demons into the herd of swine, was a punishment for Jews raising
swine, an unclean, animal, something they were forbidden to do.
4) This story also shows how that many have only a heart for financial gain, and not Christ!
The herders of the swine, admonished Jesus to leave them, the one who could have liberated them as well, and given divine grace, cast out.
5) This story shows us that man, may not believe in hell, but demons know about and “fear,” it!
James 2:19 KJV “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”
Luke 8:31 KJV “And they besought Him that He would not command them to go out into the deep*.”
*Deep-Greek-Abusso (Ab-us-sos): Abyss, deep, bottomless pit.
6) The swine were killed. The devil is a murderer.
John 8:44 KJV
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
7) In this story we see the “character of the possessed,”
A. The two demoniacs preferred nudity. Luke 8:27 KJV “And when He went forth to land, there met Him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.”
B. The two demoniacs had a preoccupation with death. Luke 8:27 KJV “And when He went forth to land, there met Him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.”
C. Demoniacs possessed Super Natural Strength. Luke 8:29 KJV “For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.”
D. Demoniacs had Super Natural Knowledge. Luke 8:28 KJV “When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God Most High? I beseech thee, torment me not.”
E. Often the possessed, are “out of their right mind.”
Luke 8:35
"Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid."
This story is a picture of what sin will do. Satan, rewards his faithful, with torment!
Bound by something stronger than chains, no one could help the demoniacs, no one until Jesus came.
Luke 8:29 “...he ... commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man.”
Through Christ and His power, is deliverance found!
Luke 8:35,36 KJV
35 Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
36 They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed.
Psalm 44:5 KJV
Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.
Isaiah 42:7 KJV
To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
Isaiah 58:6-9 KJV
6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy reward.
9 Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer..."
Luke 4:18 KJV (Isaiah 61:1)
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Luke 10:19 NLT
"Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy..."
I John 3:8 KJV
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
Revelation 12:11 KJV
"And they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony..."
I see that Matthew 8:28 says two demon possessed men, while Mark 5:2 and Luke 8:27, mention only one, why is this, and what seems to be the point of this story?
Arnold/ Liecester, U.K.
Bible Answers:
Yes, that is true, but it is only because one was violent, only one of the two came rushing out to Jesus.
What a warning this story is about, sin, and doing the bidding of the evil one!
Luke 8:26-39 KJV
26 And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee.
27 And when He went forth to land, there met Him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.
28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God Most High? I beseech thee, torment me not.
29 (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)
30 And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him.
31 And they besought Him that He would not command them to go out into the deep.
32 And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought Him that He would suffer them to enter into them. And He suffered them.
33 Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked.
34 When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country.
35 Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
36 They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed.
37 Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought Him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and He went up into the ship, and returned back again.
38 Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought Him that he might be with Him: but Jesus sent him away, saying,
39 Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.
Luke 8:26-39 NLT
26 So they arrived in the region of the Gerasenes, across the lake from Galilee.
27 As Jesus was climbing out of the boat, a man who was possessed by demons came out to meet Him. For a long time he had been homeless and naked, living in a cemetery outside the town.
28 As soon as he saw Jesus, he shrieked and fell down in front of Him. Then he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Please, I beg you, don’t torture me!”
29 For Jesus had already commanded the evil spirit to come out of him. This spirit had often taken control of the man. Even when he was placed under guard and put in chains and shackles, he simply broke them and rushed out into the wilderness, completely under the demon’s power.
30 Jesus demanded, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, for he was filled with many demons.
31 The demons kept begging Jesus not to send them into the bottomless pit.
32 There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby, and the demons begged Him to let them enter into the pigs. So Jesus gave them permission.
33 Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned.
34 When the herdsmen saw it, they fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran.
35 People rushed out to see what had happened. A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been freed from the demons. He was sitting at Jesus’ feet, fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid.
36 Then those who had seen what happened told the others how the demon-possessed man had been healed.
37 And all the people in the region of the Gerasenes begged Jesus to go away and leave them alone, for a great wave of fear swept over them. So Jesus returned to the boat and left, crossing back to the other side of the lake.
38 The man who had been freed from the demons begged to go with Him. But Jesus sent him home, saying,
39 “No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.” So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him.
This story shows us that:
1) The evil spirits, could “not,” enter the swine, unless given divine permission.
They had power over the man, because he had given himself in one form or another, to the devil.
2) A multitude of evil spirits may possess some one.
Luke 8:30 KJV “And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion*: because many devils were entered into him.”
*Legion-Greek-Legeon (Leg-eh-ohn): Regiment. (Abingdon/ Strong)
Legion: “The chief subdivision of the Roman army, containing about six thousand infantry, with a contingent of cavalry.” Smith's Bible Dictionary.
3) It has been said, and no doubt true, that the release of the multitude of demons into the herd of swine, was a punishment for Jews raising
swine, an unclean, animal, something they were forbidden to do.
4) This story also shows how that many have only a heart for financial gain, and not Christ!
The herders of the swine, admonished Jesus to leave them, the one who could have liberated them as well, and given divine grace, cast out.
5) This story shows us that man, may not believe in hell, but demons know about and “fear,” it!
James 2:19 KJV “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”
Luke 8:31 KJV “And they besought Him that He would not command them to go out into the deep*.”
*Deep-Greek-Abusso (Ab-us-sos): Abyss, deep, bottomless pit.
6) The swine were killed. The devil is a murderer.
John 8:44 KJV
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
7) In this story we see the “character of the possessed,”
A. The two demoniacs preferred nudity. Luke 8:27 KJV “And when He went forth to land, there met Him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.”
B. The two demoniacs had a preoccupation with death. Luke 8:27 KJV “And when He went forth to land, there met Him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs.”
C. Demoniacs possessed Super Natural Strength. Luke 8:29 KJV “For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.”
D. Demoniacs had Super Natural Knowledge. Luke 8:28 KJV “When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God Most High? I beseech thee, torment me not.”
E. Often the possessed, are “out of their right mind.”
Luke 8:35
"Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid."
This story is a picture of what sin will do. Satan, rewards his faithful, with torment!
Bound by something stronger than chains, no one could help the demoniacs, no one until Jesus came.
Luke 8:29 “...he ... commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man.”
Through Christ and His power, is deliverance found!
Luke 8:35,36 KJV
35 Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
36 They also which saw it told them by what means he that was possessed of the devils was healed.
Psalm 44:5 KJV
Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us.
Isaiah 42:7 KJV
To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
Isaiah 58:6-9 KJV
6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy reward.
9 Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer..."
Luke 4:18 KJV (Isaiah 61:1)
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Luke 10:19 NLT
"Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy..."
I John 3:8 KJV
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
Revelation 12:11 KJV
"And they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony..."
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Bible Lesson: Parables-Our Lord's-The Prodigal Son
Bible Lesson: Parables'-Our Lord's.
Parable: The Prodigal Son.
Luke 15:10-32 KJV
10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
11 And He said, A certain man had two sons:
12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
Luke 15:10-32 NLT
10 In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”
11 To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons.
12 The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.
13 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living.
14 About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve.
15 He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs.
16 The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.
17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger!
18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’
20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.
21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’
22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet.
23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast,
24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.
25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house,
26 and he asked one of the servants what was going on.
27 ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’
28 “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him,
29 but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends.
30 Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’
31 “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours.
32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’
Jesus tells us this story, and it is a story of two sons.
Who are the sons?
Some have speculated that they are the Jews and the Gentiles.
Some have speculated that they are all “self-righteous,” individuals, legalists, as were the Pharisees and Scribes, who said that Jesus received sinners, versus those who received the Lord Jesus as the Christ.
This then is a story of the love of God, the Father.
At one time the brothers worked together in the father's fields.
But, something changes the story, and in effect changes who, the brothers are in respect to their father.
The younger, wishing to be a free spirit, asks for his inheritance, (one third of his fathers possessions, due to his age, being the younger.)
The young son goes into “a far country (Luke 15:13),” representative of sin and it's separating one from the Father.
Isaiah 59:2 KJV
"But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you...
Once there he...
Luke 15:13 KJV
“...and there wasted his substance with riotous living.”
His older brother said of him, and perhaps so...
Luke 15:30
“...this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots...”
Some one has said, “a fool and his money are soon parted,” certainly it was so with the young son.
When the money was gone, so to were his friends.
To make matters worse, there arose a famine in the land, and....
Luke 15:14 NLT
“...he began to starve.”
And so ….
Luke 15:15,16 NLT
15 He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs.
16 The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.
Jews were to have nothing to do with swine, as they were an unclean animal, but being in rebellion, and sin, he was forced to feed swine and eat their food.
What a picture of the “rewards of sin.”
The devil is the kind of individual, that you may serve him with “everything you have,” only to have him reward you by throwing you into the mire of his hellish pig pen.
Is this truth hidden, that love and mercy of the father realized, is better than cold religious ritual and legalistic duty?
All was not lost!
The young son's prayer of repentance:
Luke 15:17-20 KJV
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father."
Psalm 40:1-8 KJV (David prayed.)
1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a Rock, and established my goings.
3 And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
5 Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
Something in the story had changed, and it had changed the sons relationship to their father and to each other, forever.
What once had been a legalistic duty to the father, had now become a call of love from the heart, for the young son.
What had brought about this transformation?
The revelation of the love and mercy of the Father.
For after the young son had prayed his prayer of repentance, and made and “about-face,” to “return” home....
Luke 15:20-24 KJV
20 And he arose, and came to his father.
But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
How blessed is the thought, the very idea, that the Father is and has always looked down the road for us!
Psalm 27:9-11 KJV
9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path..."
Psalm 28:6-9 KJV
6 Blessed be the LORD, because He hath heard the voice of my supplications.
7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him.
8 The LORD is their strength, and He is the saving strength of His anointed.
9 Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.
Psalm 34:18 KJV
The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Psalm 36:5 KJV
Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.
Psalm 78:38 KJV
"But He, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity..."
Psalm 86:15 KJV
But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
Psalm 89:1 KJV
I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 103:8,11-13,17 KJV
8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear Him.
17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto children's children;
Psalm 130:7 KJV
"...with the LORD there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption."
Psalm 145:18-20 KJV
18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth.
19 He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him: He also will hear their cry, and will save them.
20 The LORD preserveth all them that love Him
Isaiah 25:9 KJV
And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.
Isaiah 41:10 KJV
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.
Isaiah 43:1 KJV
But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine.
Isaiah 55:6,7 KJV
6 Seek ye the LORD while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near:
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.
Jeremiah 31:3 KJV
The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
Lamentations 3:22,23 KJV
22 It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Joel 2:12,13 KJV
12 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth Him of the evil.
Micah 7:18,19 KJV
18 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retaineth not His anger for ever, because He delighteth in mercy.
19 He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.
Nahum 1:7 KJV
The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him.
John 3:16 KJV
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Romans 2:4 NLT
Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that His kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
Romans 5:8 KJV
But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Titus 3:5,6 KJV
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6 Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
I Peter 2:25 KJV
For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
II Peter 3:9 KJV
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
I John 3:1 KJV
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not.
Back in the arms of his father, rejoicing was the theme of the day.
Luke 15:22-24 KJV
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
The older brother heard all the commotion, and he became angry.
Luke 15:25-32 KJV
25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
Matthew 9:10-13 KJV (Pharisees and Scribes.)
10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples.
11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto His disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
12 But when Jesus heard that, He said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
28 “And he was angry, and would not go in:...”
Again, Jews (Pharisees and Scribes) versus Gentiles.
Ritualistic legalism, versus acceptance by repentance and faith, in the finished work of the Lord Jesus.
Ephesians 2:8,9 KJV
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Romans 3:28-31 NLT
28 So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.
29 After all, is God the God of the Jews only? Isn’t He also the God of the Gentiles? Of course He is.
30 There is only one God, and He makes people right with Himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles.
31 Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law?
Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.
Gentiles, beware, for the day will come, and not that to distant in the future, when these events will be turned about.
For we (Redeemed Gentiles), will have somewhat the position of the elder brother, for all of Israel will come to know the Lord!
Hosea 3:4,5 KJV
4 This shows that Israel will go a long time without a king or prince, and without sacrifices, sacred pillars, priests, or even idols!
5 But afterward the people will return and devote themselves to the Lord their God and to David’s descendant, their king. In the last days, they will tremble in awe of the Lord and of His goodness.
Romans 12:3-5 KJV
3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.
4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function,
5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
Romans 11:1-36 NLT
1 I ask, then, has God rejected His own people, the nation of Israel? Of course not! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham and a member of the tribe of Benjamin.
2 No, God has not rejected His own people, whom He chose from the very beginning. Do you realize what the Scriptures say about this? Elijah the prophet complained to God about the people of Israel and said,
3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”
4 And do you remember God’s reply? He said, “No, I have 7,000 others who have never bowed down to Baal!”
5 It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God’s grace—His undeserved kindness in choosing them.
6 And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved.
7 So this is the situation: Most of the people of Israel have not found the favor of God they are looking for so earnestly. A few have—the ones God has chosen—but the hearts of the rest were hardened.
8 As the Scriptures say, “God has put them into a deep sleep. To this day He has shut their eyes so they do not see, and closed their ears so they do not hear.”
9 Likewise, David said,“Let their bountiful table become a snare, a trap that makes them think all is well. Let their blessings cause them to stumble, and let them get what they deserve.
10 Let their eyes go blind so they cannot see, and let their backs be bent forever.”
11 Did God’s people stumble and fall beyond recovery? Of course not! They were disobedient, so God made salvation available to the Gentiles. But He wanted His own people to become jealous and claim it for themselves.
12 Now if the Gentiles were enriched because the people of Israel turned down God’s offer of salvation, think how much greater a blessing the world will share when they finally accept it.
13 I am saying all this especially for you Gentiles. God has appointed me as the apostle to the Gentiles. I stress this,
14 for I want somehow to make the people of Israel jealous of what you Gentiles have, so I might save some of them.
15 For since their rejection meant that God offered salvation to the rest of the world, their acceptance will be even more wonderful. It will be life for those who were dead!
16 And since Abraham and the other patriarchs were holy, their descendants will also be holy—just as the entire batch of dough is holy because the portion given as an offering is holy. For if the roots of the tree are holy, the branches will be, too.
17 But some of these branches from Abraham’s tree—some of the people of Israel—have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree.
18 But you must not brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. You are just a branch, not the root.
19 “Well,” you may say, “those branches were broken off to make room for me.”
20 Yes, but remember—those branches were broken off because they didn’t believe in Christ, and you are there because you do believe. So don’t think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen.
21 For if God did not spare the original branches, He won’t spare you either.
22 Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in His kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off.
23 And if the people of Israel turn from their unbelief, they will be grafted in again, for God has the power to graft them back into the tree.
24 You, by nature, were a branch cut from a wild olive tree. So if God was willing to do something contrary to nature by grafting you into His cultivated tree, He will be far more eager to graft the original branches back into the tree where they belong.
God’s Mercy Is for Everyone
25 I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters, so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ.
26 And so all Israel will be saved. As the Scriptures say,“The one who rescues will come from Jerusalem, and He will turn Israel away from ungodliness.
27 And this is my covenant with them, that I will take away their sins.”
28 Many of the people of Israel are now enemies of the Good News, and this benefits you Gentiles. Yet they are still the people He loves because He chose their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
29 For God’s gifts and His call can never be withdrawn.
30 Once, you Gentiles were rebels against God, but when the people of Israel rebelled against Him, God was merciful to you instead.
31 Now they are the rebels, and God’s mercy has come to you so that they, too, will share in God’s mercy.
32 For God has imprisoned everyone in disobedience so He could have mercy on everyone.
33 Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His ways!
34 For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give Him advice?
35 And who has given Him so much that He needs to pay it back?
36 For everything comes from Him and exists by His power and is intended for His glory. All glory to Him forever! Amen.
Dear friend, the heavenly Father has been looking for you!
Will you return?
Will you seek His love and mercy?
Will you repent of your sin and seek His face?
He longs to receive you into His arms, of love and goodness.
Revelation 22:17 NLT
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.
Salvation Prayer:
Parable: The Prodigal Son.
Luke 15:10-32 KJV
10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
11 And He said, A certain man had two sons:
12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
Luke 15:10-32 NLT
10 In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”
11 To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons.
12 The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.
13 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living.
14 About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve.
15 He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs.
16 The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.
17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger!
18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’
20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.
21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’
22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet.
23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast,
24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.
25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house,
26 and he asked one of the servants what was going on.
27 ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’
28 “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him,
29 but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends.
30 Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’
31 “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours.
32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’
Jesus tells us this story, and it is a story of two sons.
Who are the sons?
Some have speculated that they are the Jews and the Gentiles.
Some have speculated that they are all “self-righteous,” individuals, legalists, as were the Pharisees and Scribes, who said that Jesus received sinners, versus those who received the Lord Jesus as the Christ.
This then is a story of the love of God, the Father.
At one time the brothers worked together in the father's fields.
But, something changes the story, and in effect changes who, the brothers are in respect to their father.
The younger, wishing to be a free spirit, asks for his inheritance, (one third of his fathers possessions, due to his age, being the younger.)
The young son goes into “a far country (Luke 15:13),” representative of sin and it's separating one from the Father.
Isaiah 59:2 KJV
"But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you...
Once there he...
Luke 15:13 KJV
“...and there wasted his substance with riotous living.”
His older brother said of him, and perhaps so...
Luke 15:30
“...this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots...”
Some one has said, “a fool and his money are soon parted,” certainly it was so with the young son.
When the money was gone, so to were his friends.
To make matters worse, there arose a famine in the land, and....
Luke 15:14 NLT
“...he began to starve.”
And so ….
Luke 15:15,16 NLT
15 He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs.
16 The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.
Jews were to have nothing to do with swine, as they were an unclean animal, but being in rebellion, and sin, he was forced to feed swine and eat their food.
What a picture of the “rewards of sin.”
The devil is the kind of individual, that you may serve him with “everything you have,” only to have him reward you by throwing you into the mire of his hellish pig pen.
Is this truth hidden, that love and mercy of the father realized, is better than cold religious ritual and legalistic duty?
All was not lost!
The young son's prayer of repentance:
Luke 15:17-20 KJV
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father."
Psalm 40:1-8 KJV (David prayed.)
1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a Rock, and established my goings.
3 And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
5 Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
Something in the story had changed, and it had changed the sons relationship to their father and to each other, forever.
What once had been a legalistic duty to the father, had now become a call of love from the heart, for the young son.
What had brought about this transformation?
The revelation of the love and mercy of the Father.
For after the young son had prayed his prayer of repentance, and made and “about-face,” to “return” home....
Luke 15:20-24 KJV
20 And he arose, and came to his father.
But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
How blessed is the thought, the very idea, that the Father is and has always looked down the road for us!
Psalm 27:9-11 KJV
9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.
11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path..."
Psalm 28:6-9 KJV
6 Blessed be the LORD, because He hath heard the voice of my supplications.
7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him.
8 The LORD is their strength, and He is the saving strength of His anointed.
9 Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.
Psalm 34:18 KJV
The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
Psalm 36:5 KJV
Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.
Psalm 78:38 KJV
"But He, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity..."
Psalm 86:15 KJV
But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
Psalm 89:1 KJV
I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.
Psalm 103:8,11-13,17 KJV
8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear Him.
17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto children's children;
Psalm 130:7 KJV
"...with the LORD there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption."
Psalm 145:18-20 KJV
18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth.
19 He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him: He also will hear their cry, and will save them.
20 The LORD preserveth all them that love Him
Isaiah 25:9 KJV
And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.
Isaiah 41:10 KJV
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.
Isaiah 43:1 KJV
But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine.
Isaiah 55:6,7 KJV
6 Seek ye the LORD while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near:
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.
Jeremiah 31:3 KJV
The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
Lamentations 3:22,23 KJV
22 It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Joel 2:12,13 KJV
12 Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:
13 And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth Him of the evil.
Micah 7:18,19 KJV
18 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retaineth not His anger for ever, because He delighteth in mercy.
19 He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.
Nahum 1:7 KJV
The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him.
John 3:16 KJV
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Romans 2:4 NLT
Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that His kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
Romans 5:8 KJV
But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Titus 3:5,6 KJV
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6 Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
I Peter 2:25 KJV
For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
II Peter 3:9 KJV
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
I John 3:1 KJV
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not.
Back in the arms of his father, rejoicing was the theme of the day.
Luke 15:22-24 KJV
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
The older brother heard all the commotion, and he became angry.
Luke 15:25-32 KJV
25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
Matthew 9:10-13 KJV (Pharisees and Scribes.)
10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples.
11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto His disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
12 But when Jesus heard that, He said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
28 “And he was angry, and would not go in:...”
Again, Jews (Pharisees and Scribes) versus Gentiles.
Ritualistic legalism, versus acceptance by repentance and faith, in the finished work of the Lord Jesus.
Ephesians 2:8,9 KJV
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Romans 3:28-31 NLT
28 So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.
29 After all, is God the God of the Jews only? Isn’t He also the God of the Gentiles? Of course He is.
30 There is only one God, and He makes people right with Himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles.
31 Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law?
Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.
Gentiles, beware, for the day will come, and not that to distant in the future, when these events will be turned about.
For we (Redeemed Gentiles), will have somewhat the position of the elder brother, for all of Israel will come to know the Lord!
Hosea 3:4,5 KJV
4 This shows that Israel will go a long time without a king or prince, and without sacrifices, sacred pillars, priests, or even idols!
5 But afterward the people will return and devote themselves to the Lord their God and to David’s descendant, their king. In the last days, they will tremble in awe of the Lord and of His goodness.
Romans 12:3-5 KJV
3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.
4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function,
5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
Romans 11:1-36 NLT
1 I ask, then, has God rejected His own people, the nation of Israel? Of course not! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham and a member of the tribe of Benjamin.
2 No, God has not rejected His own people, whom He chose from the very beginning. Do you realize what the Scriptures say about this? Elijah the prophet complained to God about the people of Israel and said,
3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”
4 And do you remember God’s reply? He said, “No, I have 7,000 others who have never bowed down to Baal!”
5 It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God’s grace—His undeserved kindness in choosing them.
6 And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved.
7 So this is the situation: Most of the people of Israel have not found the favor of God they are looking for so earnestly. A few have—the ones God has chosen—but the hearts of the rest were hardened.
8 As the Scriptures say, “God has put them into a deep sleep. To this day He has shut their eyes so they do not see, and closed their ears so they do not hear.”
9 Likewise, David said,“Let their bountiful table become a snare, a trap that makes them think all is well. Let their blessings cause them to stumble, and let them get what they deserve.
10 Let their eyes go blind so they cannot see, and let their backs be bent forever.”
11 Did God’s people stumble and fall beyond recovery? Of course not! They were disobedient, so God made salvation available to the Gentiles. But He wanted His own people to become jealous and claim it for themselves.
12 Now if the Gentiles were enriched because the people of Israel turned down God’s offer of salvation, think how much greater a blessing the world will share when they finally accept it.
13 I am saying all this especially for you Gentiles. God has appointed me as the apostle to the Gentiles. I stress this,
14 for I want somehow to make the people of Israel jealous of what you Gentiles have, so I might save some of them.
15 For since their rejection meant that God offered salvation to the rest of the world, their acceptance will be even more wonderful. It will be life for those who were dead!
16 And since Abraham and the other patriarchs were holy, their descendants will also be holy—just as the entire batch of dough is holy because the portion given as an offering is holy. For if the roots of the tree are holy, the branches will be, too.
17 But some of these branches from Abraham’s tree—some of the people of Israel—have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree.
18 But you must not brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. You are just a branch, not the root.
19 “Well,” you may say, “those branches were broken off to make room for me.”
20 Yes, but remember—those branches were broken off because they didn’t believe in Christ, and you are there because you do believe. So don’t think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen.
21 For if God did not spare the original branches, He won’t spare you either.
22 Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in His kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off.
23 And if the people of Israel turn from their unbelief, they will be grafted in again, for God has the power to graft them back into the tree.
24 You, by nature, were a branch cut from a wild olive tree. So if God was willing to do something contrary to nature by grafting you into His cultivated tree, He will be far more eager to graft the original branches back into the tree where they belong.
God’s Mercy Is for Everyone
25 I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters, so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ.
26 And so all Israel will be saved. As the Scriptures say,“The one who rescues will come from Jerusalem, and He will turn Israel away from ungodliness.
27 And this is my covenant with them, that I will take away their sins.”
28 Many of the people of Israel are now enemies of the Good News, and this benefits you Gentiles. Yet they are still the people He loves because He chose their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
29 For God’s gifts and His call can never be withdrawn.
30 Once, you Gentiles were rebels against God, but when the people of Israel rebelled against Him, God was merciful to you instead.
31 Now they are the rebels, and God’s mercy has come to you so that they, too, will share in God’s mercy.
32 For God has imprisoned everyone in disobedience so He could have mercy on everyone.
33 Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His ways!
34 For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give Him advice?
35 And who has given Him so much that He needs to pay it back?
36 For everything comes from Him and exists by His power and is intended for His glory. All glory to Him forever! Amen.
Dear friend, the heavenly Father has been looking for you!
Will you return?
Will you seek His love and mercy?
Will you repent of your sin and seek His face?
He longs to receive you into His arms, of love and goodness.
Revelation 22:17 NLT
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.
Salvation Prayer:
Friday, December 4, 2009
Bible Questions Answered: Election
Bible Questions Answered:
God does elect us this is true?
Tumelo/ Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Bible Answer:
God, does not arbitrarily elect souls to be saved, and souls to be damned.
Some have taught, because of Almighty Power, and Right, God chooses some souls to be saved, while choosing other souls to be lost, what insanity!
Is there “election?”
Yes!
Blind election, such as described above? Never!
What kind of “election,” could possibly be the alternative?
Election, by “Foreknowledge!”
Romans 8:28-30 KJV
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.
29 For whom He did foreknow*, He also did predestinate* to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the Firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom He did predestinate*, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified.
*Foreknow: Greek-Proginosko (Prog-in-oce-ko): To know beforehand, i.e. forsee, foreknow (ordain) Know (before). All translations “Abingdon/Strong.”
*Predestinate: Greek-Proorizo (Pro-or-id-zo): To limit in advance, predetermine, determine before, ordain, Predestinate.
God's Election, is based on His perfect foreknowledge, He knew before the foundations of the world, those who would, and those who would not turn to Him!
For those who would turn their heart and lives to Him, He charted their lives for blessing and eternal life.
Psalm 37:23,24 KJV
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and He delighteth in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with His hand.
Psalm 23:37,38 NLT
23 The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.
24 Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.
Proverbs 16:9 KJV
A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
God's Foreknowledge:
Isaiah 42:9 KJV
Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.
Isaiah 46:9,10 KJV
9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure:
Daniel 2:27,28 KJV
27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king;
28 But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;
Matthew 24:36 KJV
But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only.
Acts 2:22-23 KJV
22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
23 Him, being delivered by the determinate* counsel* and foreknowledge* of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
*Determinate-Greek-Proorizo (Pro-or-id-zo): To limit in advance, predetermine before, ordain, predestinate.
*Counsel-Greek-Boule (Boo-lay): Volition, Advice, purpose, advise, counsel, will.
*Foreknowledge-Greek-Prognosis (Prog-no-sis): Forethought, foreknowledge.
Acts 3:18 KJV
But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all His prophets, that Christ should suffer, He hath so fulfilled.
Acts 15:18 KJV
Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world.
Romans 11:2 NLT
"No, God has not rejected His own people, whom He chose from the very beginning..."
I Peter 1:1,2 KJV
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2 Elect* according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
*Elect-Greek-Eklektos (Ek-lek-tos): Favorite, chosen, elect.
Does it need explanation, that God's favorites, God's chosen, would be those who would turn to Him, with all their hearts, and that He in His Foreknowledge, would elect them to His blessings?
Second Proof:
I Timothy 2:3,4 KJV
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
How many does God, want to be saved? All!
II Peter 3:9 KJV
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
How many does our God, wish to be lost? None!
Acts 2:21 KJV
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Romans 10:13 KJV
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
John 3:14-21 KJV
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.
18 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.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
God does elect us this is true?
Tumelo/ Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Bible Answer:
God, does not arbitrarily elect souls to be saved, and souls to be damned.
Some have taught, because of Almighty Power, and Right, God chooses some souls to be saved, while choosing other souls to be lost, what insanity!
Is there “election?”
Yes!
Blind election, such as described above? Never!
What kind of “election,” could possibly be the alternative?
Election, by “Foreknowledge!”
Romans 8:28-30 KJV
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.
29 For whom He did foreknow*, He also did predestinate* to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the Firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom He did predestinate*, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified.
*Foreknow: Greek-Proginosko (Prog-in-oce-ko): To know beforehand, i.e. forsee, foreknow (ordain) Know (before). All translations “Abingdon/Strong.”
*Predestinate: Greek-Proorizo (Pro-or-id-zo): To limit in advance, predetermine, determine before, ordain, Predestinate.
God's Election, is based on His perfect foreknowledge, He knew before the foundations of the world, those who would, and those who would not turn to Him!
For those who would turn their heart and lives to Him, He charted their lives for blessing and eternal life.
Psalm 37:23,24 KJV
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and He delighteth in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with His hand.
Psalm 23:37,38 NLT
23 The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.
24 Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.
Proverbs 16:9 KJV
A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
God's Foreknowledge:
Isaiah 42:9 KJV
Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.
Isaiah 46:9,10 KJV
9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure:
Daniel 2:27,28 KJV
27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king;
28 But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;
Matthew 24:36 KJV
But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but My Father only.
Acts 2:22-23 KJV
22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
23 Him, being delivered by the determinate* counsel* and foreknowledge* of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
*Determinate-Greek-Proorizo (Pro-or-id-zo): To limit in advance, predetermine before, ordain, predestinate.
*Counsel-Greek-Boule (Boo-lay): Volition, Advice, purpose, advise, counsel, will.
*Foreknowledge-Greek-Prognosis (Prog-no-sis): Forethought, foreknowledge.
Acts 3:18 KJV
But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all His prophets, that Christ should suffer, He hath so fulfilled.
Acts 15:18 KJV
Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world.
Romans 11:2 NLT
"No, God has not rejected His own people, whom He chose from the very beginning..."
I Peter 1:1,2 KJV
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
2 Elect* according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
*Elect-Greek-Eklektos (Ek-lek-tos): Favorite, chosen, elect.
Does it need explanation, that God's favorites, God's chosen, would be those who would turn to Him, with all their hearts, and that He in His Foreknowledge, would elect them to His blessings?
Second Proof:
I Timothy 2:3,4 KJV
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
How many does God, want to be saved? All!
II Peter 3:9 KJV
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
How many does our God, wish to be lost? None!
Acts 2:21 KJV
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Romans 10:13 KJV
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
John 3:14-21 KJV
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.
18 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.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
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