Wed, Feb 29th - 10:52AM

Matthew 7:1-6

Matthew 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye. 6Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

I believe verse 1 is one of the most misused verses in the Bible.  No we are not to judge others.  God is the judge, He will judge rather a person is a Christian or not or rather that person goes to heaven or hell.  But at the same time we are expected to know what is sin and what is not sin.  It is not my job to judge the homosexual but I know from the Bible homosexuality is sin.  I am not to judge those who sin but I know from the Bible what is sin and what a sinful lifestyle is.  I say this because many who are living in sin use this verse to silence opposition to their lifestyle.  Don’t let their tactic stop you.  God very much expects us to preach against sin and wickedness in this world.  And we can do this without attacking the individual or singling people out. 

Tue, Feb 28th - 11:14PM

Matthew 6:25-34

Matthew 6:25-34

When I read these verses they remind me of another verse Romans 8:31

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

With God on our side why worry about anything?

Mon, Feb 27th - 11:13PM

Matthew 6:19-24

Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 22The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! 24No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

The things of this world are temporary including wealth.  The things of God are eternal.  Which do you think you should focus on?  I will be very frank with you I believe prosperity preaching is a false doctrine.  It is a doctrine of greed.  It is a doctrine that puts the focus on the things of the world instead of the things of God.  True prosperity is spiritual wealth.  As Christians our focus should be serving God and bringing the lost to Christ not acquiring the things of the world. 

Sun, Feb 26th - 8:40AM

Matthew 6:16-18

Matthew 6:16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 17But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

Jesus is talking about having true righteousness not a show of righteousness.  He is talking about true worship of God not putting on a show of worshipping God.  Too many Christians are good at putting on a show of worshipping God but have no idea of what true worship is.  True worship comes from the soul led by the Holy Spirit of God.

Sat, Feb 25th - 11:22AM

Matthew 6:5-15

Matthew 6:15 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

6But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

7But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

8Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11Give us this day our daily bread.

12And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

14For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

 15But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

I think the key verses in these verses are verse 10, “Thy will be done.”  God hears the prayers of His children but He is not some magical genie setting in heaven waiting to grant our wishes.  There is a difference between need and greed.  I need money to buy food and pay the rent, that is a need, to ask for money just to be rich is greed.  I need a car to go to work, that is a need, to ask for a luxury car just to have is greed.  I need a house to live in, that is a need, to ask for a huge expensive house is greed.  Like I said the key is to pray according to the will of God and to forsake our own selfish desires.

Fri, Feb 24th - 12:05PM

Matthew 6:1-4

Matthew 6:1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 2Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 3But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

The main point behind these verses is humility.  The Pharisees loved to make a big deal of giving to the poor.  They wanted everyone to seem them giving to the poor so they would do so in a very public manner.  They were seeking the praise of other men not of God.  They were more interested in seeking the approval of man than they were of God.  In reality they were doing it all for the wrong reasons.  They didn’t care about their fellow man and they didn’t care about pleasing God they were more interested in appearing righteous before the fellow Jews.  They had an appearance of righteousness but in reality their hearts were far from being truly righteous.  True righteousness is more than a show.  God knows the heart of man rather it is evil or good.  You can fool your fellow man but you can’t fool God.

Thu, Feb 23rd - 11:00AM

Matthew 5:43-48

Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

We live by the standards of God not the standards of the world.  As Christians we are to show love to everyone, yes even those who hates us or even those we don’t get along with or even those who we don’t agree with.  I aint foolish I know we aint going to get along with everyone but that is not cause according to God to stop loving that person. And yes you are to love those who ideology is different from yours or whose lifestyle you don’t agree with. You can disagree with their beliefs without hating the person.  In fact you will win more people to your side through love than anger and hatred.

Wed, Feb 22nd - 11:11AM

Matthew 5:33-42

Matthew 5:33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: 35Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. 36Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. 37But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. 38Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. 41And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

God’s standards and the world’s standards are not the same.  The Bible teaches we shouldn’t seek revenge when we have been wronged, that we should avoid lawsuits, that we shouldn’t swear or make oaths, and that we should give to whoever is in need.  Is the world’s standards the same?  Too often the standard is to seek revenge when we have been wronged, lawsuits are way too common in our society, and now in days the common thing is to look out for yourself and to avoid the needs of others.

Tue, Feb 21st - 12:18PM

Matthew 5:31,32

Matthew 5:31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 32But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

Mon, Feb 20th - 10:59AM

Matthew 5:27-30

Matthew 5:27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. 29And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. 30And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Jesus of course isn’t telling us to cut off any of our body parts, what He is saying is put out of your life those things that could drag you to hell.  I don’t think anyone could disagree that lust is a sin that easily catches up a lot of men and women in its snares.  God’s idea of sexually purity is pretty clear from the Bible.  Sex is for married male and female couples.  It doesn’t matter what society’s moral standards are as Christian we live by the standards of God.

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Sun, Feb 19th - 11:12PM

Matthew 5:21-26

Matthew 5:21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 23Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift. 25Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 26Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

Life is too short to go through life with a list of grudges or a list of people who have done you wrong.  If you go through life with a list of grudges eventually al that anger and hate is going to eat you up.  Jesus spent a lot of time teaching on forgiveness.  But after all He did die on the cross so that we can have the forgiveness of our sins through Him. 

Sat, Feb 18th - 11:35PM

Matthew 5:20

Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Exceeding the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees shouldn’t be that hard since their righteousness was all for show.  It was an external righteousness because in reality their hearts were far from God.  They made a big show of being righteous and being very pious about following the Law but God knew their heart and He knew they had no real love for God or for following God.

In our modern churches we have a lot of church goers who are just that, church goers.  They are Sunday morning Christians.  They show up at church for an hour on Sunday morning and that is as far as their relationship with God goes.  But God knows the heart of men and He knows who is a true believer and who is just going through the motions.  As verse 20 says going through the motions won’t get you into heaven.

Fri, Feb 17th - 11:25AM

Matthew 5:17-19

Matthew 5:17Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven

In my view these verses are some of the most misunderstood verses in the Bible.  The problem is when we take single verses to define our position on a subject.  Instead we should read the whole Bible on the subject we are studying.  Why I say that is because there are Christians who argue that Christians are still under the Old Testament Mosiac Law and if you read these verses here without reading further on the subject you could come to that conclusion but if you continue on to read about what Luke and Paul wrote about the Law you come to realize what the true relationship between Christians and the Old Testament Law truly is.

In Acts 15 you have the council at Jerusalem making the decision that Gentile Christians are not subject to the Law.  Basically you don’t have to be Jewish to be a Christian.  In Romans Paul breaks down the relationship between Christian and the Law.   The most important part to remember is you are justified by faith before God.  Following the Law will never make you justified before God.  As Ephesians 2:8,9 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast”  You are saved by the grace of God through your faith in Christ.  Following the Law, doing sacraments, rituals or anything thing else will never make you right in the eyes of God. 

Thu, Feb 16th - 10:48AM

Matthew 5:14-16

Matthew 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

We are to let the world see the light of Christ shining through us.  The world should be able to see a difference in us and know it is us living in God.  The light shining in us is the Holy Spirit of God.  We should be a light shining into the dark world around us so that those living in the darkness can come to the light of Christ.

Wed, Feb 15th - 1:11PM

Matthew 5:13

Matthew 5:13Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

In the time of Christ salt was used as a preservative to keep food from going bad.  He is telling His followers they are the preservers of the earth.  It is the influence of Christ on the world through His believers that keeps this world from sliding into complete moral anarchy.  But if the salt has lost its savour what good is it?  If we as believers are no different from the corrupt society around us then what good are we to God and for fulfilling His purposes?

Tue, Feb 14th - 11:23AM

Matthew 5:10-12

Matthew 5:10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

This was basically a warning of things to come.  Jesus reminds them of the Old Testament prophets that were persecuted by their own people.  The Disciples would soon see Jesus crucified and then be persecuted themselves.  Every one of them except John would be executed for the Gospel.  The early Church knew persecution at the hands of both the Romans and the Jews.  Even during the Reformation, the reformers were persecuted by the Catholic Church.  Many were put to death by the Catholic Church but they continued to strive for a pure Gospel that was pure from the corrupted practices of the Catholic Church.  Even today in Muslim and in Communist countries such as China, Vietnam, and North Korea being Christian could mean death but these brave Christians continue to live their faith.  This is true faith in the face of persecution.

In modern Western society Christians don’t face physical persecution.  Attacks on Christians in western society are more mocking in nature.  Christians are labeled as backwards and ignorant, as being old fashioned and out of touch with modern society.  Christians are often labeled as hateful and intolerant because we refuse to compromise our beliefs on such topics as homosexuality and gay marriage but as the Bible says we will ridiculed for our beliefs but if our brave Christian brothers and sisters can face death for the Gospel in other parts of the world I am sure we can handle a little bit of mocking.  We must stand firm on the true foundation of the Gospel.  Christ is the only way to Heaven.  No other way or any other religion will get you there.  If you don’t have Christ as your Lord and Savior you are heading to hell.  That is not intolerant that is the cold hard truth.

Mon, Feb 13th - 11:27AM

Matthew 5:1-9

Matthew 5:1And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

 2And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

One thing that come clear from the beatitudes is that what God values and what the world values is not the same.  Meekness, humility, righteousness, mercy, and peace are not things that are often valued in our society.  People talk about them but that is usually as far as it goes.  How many times have you seen a sports star on TV bragging about how good he is or a Hollywood star showing off their wealth.  Oh, the stars talk a good game about charity and peace but talk is about as far as it goes for most of them.  As Christian we are expected to live the beatitudes not just talk about them.

Sun, Feb 12th - 11:25PM

Matthew 4:23-25

Matthew 4:23 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. 24And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. 25And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.

What is the Gospel?  The gospel means good news.  What is the good news?  Well the good news for them was that their long awaited Messiah had arrived.  For us the good news is that Christ died on the cross for sinners so that all who receive Him can be saved from the penalty of sin and receive eternal life.

Sat, Feb 11th - 11:04PM

Matthew 4:18-22

Matthew 4:18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20And they straightway left their nets, and followed him. 21And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. 22And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him.

Christ calls His first Disciples and informs them He will make them fishers of men.  In other words they will go to work for Him to gather up Disciples for the Kingdom of God.  They will learn directly from Him and they will take this new message to the world to win souls for Christ and this is what we are all called to do, win souls for Christ.

Fri, Feb 10th - 11:38AM

Matthew 4:17

Matthew 4:17  From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand

This is the same message that John the Baptist preached and it will be the same messages that the disciples went on to preach.  Repent means to turn.  To turn from sin and rebellion and come back to God.  To turn from your old life of sin and darkness and come into the Kingdom of God.  To leave your old wretched life behind and accept Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Thu, Feb 9th - 11:42AM

Matthew 4:12-17

Matthew 4:12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;

13And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim:

14That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,

15The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;

16The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

17From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

These verses are in reference to Isaiah 9:1,2 which states,

Isaiah 9:1Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations.

2The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

Christ is the light shining into this dark world clouded in sin.  The light of Christ penetrates the darkness of sin.

Wed, Feb 8th - 11:24AM

Matthew 4:1-11

Matthew 4:1Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.

3And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

4But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

5Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

7Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

8Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

9And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

11Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

Satan is very real.  He is not some symbolic Biblical figure, he is real.  Here we see him tempting Jesus in the desert.  He comes after Jesus when He seems the weakest.  He is alone, he is hungry, and weak.  Christ just as we are was tempted to sin but Christ resisted the temptation and we too through Christ can resist the temptation to sin.  We are not perfect.  There will be times when we fail but thank God we have a God that forgives when we seek His forgiveness.

Tue, Feb 7th - 11:14AM

Matthew 3:13-17

Matthew 3:13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 14But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. 16And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Here we see the Trinity.  God in three persons.  God the Father, God in the flesh, and God in the Spirit.

Mon, Feb 6th - 11:40AM

Matthew 3:11,12

Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: 12Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Don’t be mistaken John is talking about the judgment of God here.  Part of the process of harvesting wheat is to separate the wheat from the chaff.  The nation of Israel was an agriculture society and would of understood what John was saying.  The farmer would gather the wheat onto the floor to separate the wheat and the chaff.  The wheat is gathered up to keep and the chaff which is useless is destroyed.  John says the chaff is burnt up in unquenchable fire which is how hell is often described. 

The point is the judgment of God is real.  There is a coming day of judgment.  And God will punish those who failed to accept His gift of salvation with eternal punishment in hell. 

Mon, Feb 6th - 12:09AM

Matthew 3:10

Matthew 3:10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

The nation of Israel was an agriculture nature.  They would of understood perfectly what John meant here.  A farmer wouldn’t waste his time on a tree not producing fruit.  It would have been cut down and threw into the fire so the farmer could plant a tree that would produce fruit in its place.

As believers we are expected to produce fruit.  People should be able to see the results of the Spirit of God living in us.  Apple trees produce apple, orange trees produce oranges and Christians should produce the things of God.  We should be witnesses of God to the world.  We should be producing other disciples.  People should be able to look at us a see God living through us. 

Sat, Feb 4th - 11:50PM

Matthew 3:9

Matthew 3:9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

The Jews considered themselves the people of God.  They considered themselves righteous based on their ancestry but yet their heart were far from God.  The Jewish people had broken the laws of God over and over again.  The Old Testament is a history of the people of Israel.  It is a history full of rebellion.  Even at this time the Jewish nation was being ruled by a king who wasn’t a rightful heir to the throne.  Even though the Old Testament law spelled out who was to be selected as priests and high priests a portion of the priests had got their position by bribing the Roman authorities.  The Romans had decided who would be high priests.  The Jews had added their own customs and traditions to the Law of God.  The hearts of the people were far from a true relationship with God.

True righteousness comes from our relationship with God.  You are not a Christian because your parents are Christian or you were raised in a Christian home.  You are not Christian because you were baptized as a baby.  You are not Christian because of where you were born.  You are not a Christian because you go to church or did some sacraments.  You are righteous before God when you accept Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Fri, Feb 3rd - 11:39PM

Matthew 3:8

Matthew 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

As the Bible says, you will know someone by their fruit.  A lot of people claim to be believers but their actions say otherwise.  Being a Christian isn’t saying a prayer or being baptized or going to church.  It is a lifelong relationship with God.  It is a lifelong commitment to the teachings of Christ.  It is a lifelong commitment to live for Christ.  It a lifetime of living as a disciple of Christ.  It is presenting your bodies as a living sacrifice to God.  It giving your all to God.  It is living your life in a manner that would give glory to God.  It is living for God and not yourself.  It is putting God first in your life. 

Thu, Feb 2nd - 5:42PM

Matthew 3:7

Matthew 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

In the Gospels there are two main Jewish sects mentioned, the Pharisees and the Sadducees.  The Pharisees were very pious about observing the Mosaic Law but the problem with them is that it had become a ritual to them.  They made a great show of following the Law but their hearts were far from God.  In addition to the Mosaic Law they had added their own traditions.  They were very ritualistic and legalistic in their worship of God with no true spiritual connection with God.

The Sadducees were the religious liberals of the day.  They denied the supernatural such as angels and demons, any type of coming judgment of God, and they denied any type of resurrection.  They were considered very worldly and morally lax. 

As you can see from verse 7, neither John or Jesus every spoke very kindly of either group.  Neither group was in tune with God and their hearts were far from God.  True worship comes from the soul, the heart not in rituals and traditions. 

Wed, Feb 1st - 5:43PM

Matthew 3:4-6

Matthew 3:4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. 5Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, 6And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

On thing you notice about John or any of the New Testament disciples is that they were people of humble means that lived humble lives.  They didn’t live lives of luxury.  They didn’t live in fine homes or wear fine clothes.  The disciples of Christ gave up everything to follow Him.  They didn’t pursue wealth.  They didn’t pursue popularity.  They weren’t focused on how big of a church they could build.  Their mission in life was to preach the word of God to the lost.  I say this because we should compare everything in our lives to the word of God and I tell you some of our modern day preachers don’t measure up.

If you are preaching to gain prosperity or popularity your heart is in the wrong place.  If you are following God to gain material benefits your heart is in the wrong place.  If you are not willing to give God your all you are not really committed.  If you are watering down your message so as not to offend anyone you are focused on pleasing the wrong people.  The Gospel is offensive to those who rebel against God but it is a message they need to hear.  We live to please God not the world.