Tue, May 29th - 9:48AM

Matthew 20:28

Matthew 20:28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (NIV)

Many on the liberal side of the house and those from different religions often deny the divine reasons of why God came to the earth in the flesh.  I often here from these groups that Christ was a great man and a great teacher who got on the bad side of the Jews and they had Him killed.  Well here is the reason Christ came to the earth in His own words. 

He came to be a ransom for many.  He paid the penalty for our sins on the cross.  The Bible says the penalty for sin is death.  Christ became our sin sacrifice on the cross that whosoever accepts Him as their Lord and Savior may have the forgiveness of their sins and receive eternal life through Him. 

Tue, May 29th - 12:12AM

Matthew 20:24-27

Matthew 20:24 When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. 25But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 26But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. (NLT)

This is God’s idea of leadership in the church which is much different than the secular idea of leadership.  A leader in the church is expected to be a servant of his flock.  His job is to care for the needs of his people.  In the Bible a leader in the church is often called a shepherd.  The job of a shepherd is to care for the sheep of his flock.  So the leader is actually a servant of the people of his church much different from the secular idea of leadership. 

Sun, May 27th - 11:39PM

Matthew 20:20-23

Matthew 20:20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. 21And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. 22But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. 23And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

He we see that the disciples are still spiritual immature.  Jesus had just told them in the proceeding verses that He was on His way to Jerusalem to die but they failed to understand what He was telling them but we know the Apostles would eventually grasp what Jesus was telling them and it would be these men who would spread the Gospel after the death of Jesus on the cross and as Jesus tells them in verse 23 they will suffer also for the Gospel.  James would be the first Apostle to be executed and John would spend his last years in prison and the rest of the Apostles including Paul (except Judas of course) would give their lives for the Gospel.  In fact thousands of the early Christians gave their lives for the Gospel and since the death of Christ millions of Christians have died for the faith and many are still being persecuted today.  God never promised believers a life of ease here on earth but He did promise a heavenly home for those who endure until the end.  Just like James and John many people follow Christ expecting to get something out of it but the mature Disciple knows following Christ is a life living to do the will of God and not our own selfish desires.   

Fri, May 25th - 11:34AM

Matthew 20:16

Matthew 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

Christ died on the cross so that all who come to Him and accept Him as their Lord and Savior might receive salvation but so many in the world has rejected His offer of salvation and what choice does a just God have but to punish those who reject Him and rebel against His sovereign will for mankind. 

Tue, May 22nd - 12:23PM

Matthew 19:16-26

Matthew 19:16-26

Is being rich sin?  No, but putting your trust in your riches instead of God is sin.  That is why it is almost impossible for a rich man to go to heaven, they put their faith in their wealth instead of God.  In addition their love of money keeps them from loving and serving God and obeying His commandments.   

Now I tell you I believe prosperity preaching is one of the biggest heresy of our time.  Why would God say it is almost impossible for a rich man to go to heaven then promise to make believers rich?  Why would He advise this man to sell all that he had to be perfect but then promise to make believers rich?  Why would Paul say the love of money is the root of all evil if God had promised to make us rich?  Well the truth is God never ever promised us earthly treasure He promised us heavenly treasures. 

Mon, May 21st - 10:03AM

Matthew 19:13-15

Matthew 19:13 One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.

14But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.”

15And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left (NLT)

Jesus isn’t saying we should act like little children He is saying we should have the same humble and faithful spirit of these little children.  Being a parent of a small child makes you feel good.  A small child loves his parents without condition.  Isn’t a relationship based on a person looking to see what they can get out of it and it isn’t a selfish love.  A small child loves his parents because their his parents and he puts all of his trust in his parents without holding back.  To many people who claim to be Christian are serving God expecting to get something out of it, perhaps they bought into the lie of prosperity preaching but God wants our love to be unconditional.  Christ paid with His life on the cross so that through Him we can have salvation and eternal life.  That alone entitles Him to all of our love and faith in Him. 

Sun, May 20th - 5:45PM

Matthew 19:1-9

Matthew 19:1-9

It is no secret that in the U.S. and other Western countries there is a debate raging about the definition of marriage but this is really a debate among men because the definition of marriage according to God has never changed because God doesn’t change and God doesn’t change his mind to adjust to the current political situation.  The idea of marriage according to God from Adam and Eve until today has always been one man and one woman connected in an everlasting bond.  The only provision God provided to end this bond was adultery. 

Thu, May 17th - 9:13AM

Matthew 18:15-35

Matthew 18:15-35

Matthew dedicates the last half of chapter 15 to the subject of forgiveness mainly how we should forgive others especially since our Father forgives the sins of all who ask for the forgiveness of their sins through Christ their Savior.  Christ died on the cross so that through Him we can have the forgiveness of our sins so shouldn’t we forgive others? 

Wed, May 16th - 5:45PM

Matthew 18:10-14

Matthew 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. 11For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. 12How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? 13And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. 14Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

It is not God’s desire that any would perish in hell that is why He sent Christ to die on the cross for our sins but that does not mean God won’t judge those who have rejected Christ as their Savior.  Many who believe in universal salvation like to use these verses and others to build a case for their beliefs on while ignoring the over 600 references in the Bible to the judgment of God. 

God’s desire is that all come back into a relationship with Him through Christ but many still live in rebellion and rejection of God and what is a just God to do when mankind so outright rebels against Him and rejects the way of salvation Christ provided for mankind on the cross? 

Tue, May 15th - 3:50PM

Matthew 18:8,9

Matthew 18:8 If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. 9And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell. (NIV)

Christ of course isn’t telling people to start cutting off body parts but what He is saying is that whatever causes us to sin, whatever gets in the way with our relationship with God we need to put it out of our lives.  We should let nothing get in our way of having a right relationship with God and whatever is causing us to sin we need to put it out of our lives. 

Mon, May 14th - 5:33PM

Matthew 18:7

Matthew 18:7 Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come! (NIV)

Sin and the temptation to sin will always be part of this world but woe is the man who causes others to sin.  You might be in the business of selling vices rather it be drugs, alcohol, or sex but God has a special warning for you.  You cause others to sin He will judge you.  As Hebrews 10:31 says

31It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Sun, May 13th - 8:42AM

Matthew 18:6

Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Christ died on the cross to bring sinners to Him so they can be saved from the penalty of sin which is eternity in hell but if you drive one of these away after He has brought them to Him woe unto you.  New believers are especially vulnerable but all too often they are driven away by older believers who have hard time accepting them or displaying a judgmental self-righteous attitude toward them instead of an attitude of love and acceptance.  As older, mature believers we should be mentors and teachers to those new in the faith and we should do this with an attitude of love and acceptance. 

Sat, May 12th - 10:43PM

Matthew 18:1-5

Matthew 18:1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5“And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. (NIV)

Humility isn’t something that gets taught much in our society.  Just think how many times you seen a sports star brag about himself on TV or a celebrity show off their wealth on TV.  Pride and arrogance is the opposite of humility and it is these two sins that keep people from God.  You will never come to God until you humbly submit to His will.  Being a disciple of Christ (a Christian) means forgetting self and making a commitment to serving God.  It means no longer living to please yourself and satisfying your own desires and making a commitment to please God.  You can’t please God when your life is all about you. 

Thu, May 10th - 4:47PM

Matthew 16:27,28

Matthew 16:27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

28Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

Christ is going to return as promised and there is a coming day of judgment for the world.  So many people live their lives like they are never going to answer for their sins.  If you are saved you know your sins are forgiven but the rest of the world is going to answer for their sins and their rejection of the sacrifice on the cross for their sins. 

Wed, May 9th - 4:39PM

Matthew 16:26

Matthew 16:26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?^l Is anything worth more than your soul? (NLT)

What is the cost for your soul?  What is your thirty pieces of silver? What is worth spending an eternity in hell?  Is it a few minutes of sexual pleasure?  The momentary high you get from alcohol or drugs?  Money?  Fame?  Power?  Popularity?  Many churches and leaders have sold themselves out to the gods of political correctness.  What is the price for your soul? 

Tue, May 8th - 3:12PM

Matthew 16:24,25

Matthew 16:24 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. 25For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

Too many Christians won’t to live their lives just treading the fence.  They want to be a Christian but they don’t won’t to leave the world and their worldly lifestyle behind.  They will give God a couple of hours on Sunday morning but that is as far as their commitment goes. 

True discipleship and if you are a Christian then you should be considering yourself a disciple of Christ means true commitment.  It means leaving your old life behind a committing to a life that pleases God and life devoted to serving Him.  It means you live to do the will of God and not your own selfish desires.

Mon, May 7th - 11:31PM

Matthew 16:21-23

Matthew 16:21From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. 22Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.” 23But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” (NAS)

Sun, May 6th - 11:45PM

Matthew 16:13-20

Matthew 16:13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19And 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. 20Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

Is the church built on Peter no?  The church is built on Christ.  The church is built on Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.  Why would God build His church on a mortal man such as Peter or any other mortal man?  The history of the papacy is a history of some of the most corrupt men in history.  Would God build His church on men such as this?  Of course not.  The key to heaven is the Gospel of Christ in which the Apostles were instructed to preach.  After all didn’t Christ say He was the way to heaven.  Neither Peter or any other man was given special ability to forgive sins.

Sat, May 5th - 5:39PM

Matthew 16:5-12

Matthew 16:5 When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. 6“Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 7They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn’t bring any bread.” 8Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? 9Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 10Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 11How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. (NIV)

The Pharisees and the Sadducees were the two main parties of the Jewish religions there were smaller ones but they didn’t have much influence.  The Pharisees were the more conservative of the two.  They made a big show about following the Mosaic Law and made a big show about being pious.  They had even went so far as to add additional laws of their own to the Law handed down by God.  The biggest problem with the Pharisees is that worship had become a ritual.  They made a big show about being holy when in reality their hearts were far from God.  The Sadducees were the liberals of the times.  They denied anything supernatural.  They didn’t believe in angel, and demons, and the resurrection of the dead or an afterlife.  The doctrine of course didn’t line up with the word of God. 

Both are an example of why we individually need to study the word of God.  Too many people get caught up in the theology of their denomination instead of what the word of God says.  Too many people get caught up in the teachings of their fellow man instead of what the word of God says.  Don’t get me wrong I aint saying we don’t need teachers or preachers or discipleship programs in our churches.  I myself am a Sunday school teacher but I also tell my students the same thing.  Everything I teach them they need to make sure it lines up with the word of God for themselves.  Biblical ignorance among Christians is astounding.  The average Christian has never read the Bible and has no idea what it actually says.  They rely on their preacher or teacher to tell them what it says.  The problem not every preacher or teacher is a true man of God.  There are false teachers in our churches and the best defense against false teachers is Biblical knowledge.  A Christian that knows the Bible will spot a false teacher right away.   

Fri, May 4th - 5:24PM

Matthew 16:4

Matthew 16:4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.

Jesus had performed miracle after miracle already and they had refused to believe.  Jesus knew their hearts were harden to the truth and another sign wouldn’t cause them to believe because their rebellion and disbelief had blinded them to the truth.  The same is true today of many people.  Many people have become downright hostile to the Gospel.  Their hatred for God and religion has blinded them to the truth. 

So what do we do about such people?  We continue to love them by witnessing to them and showing them love.  If they refuse to believe they are accountable to God for their decision we did our part.  Notice Jesus didn’t beat them down with the Gospel, He didn’t hound them, or He didn’t pressure them for a decision.  He presented the Gospel to them and allowed them to make a decision and when they refused to believe He moved on. 

Thu, May 3rd - 7:05PM

Matthew 16:1-3

Matthew 16:1 The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.

2He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’

 3and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. (NIV)

There are many Christians today failing to interpret the signs of the times.  Western society is becoming an increasing hostile place for Christians.  Most American Christian denominations  can trace its roots back to England but today England is becoming more and more secular and many want to push Christianity completely out of English society and we see the same trend in the U.S.  Christianity is attacked on regular basis in the U.S. in the media.  At one time we could say the U.S. was a Christian nation but can we really say that anymore?  But all of this shouldn’t surprise us.  Paul warned of a great falling away from the faith before the return of Christ in 2 Thessalonians 2 and 1Timothy 4:1

1Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; (KJV)

1The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons (NIV)

Matthew warned of it in Matthew 24

9 Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold (NIV)

On the one hand we know these things lead to the glorious return of Christ but on the other it is so sad to see so many turn away from Christ.  What is really sad is how many churches and Christian leaders have sold their souls to the world.  Political correctness is the thirty pieces of silver of our day.  They dare not to take a stand unless they be deemed not politically correct or un-tolerant while they stand by and do nothing while their Christian brother and sisters who do take a stand for Christ get persecuted in the media. 

Tue, May 1st - 2:56PM

Matthew 15:12-14

Matthew 15:12Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?”

13He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots.

14Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” (NIV)

There are a lot of the blind leading the blind today.  Jesus Christ is the way to heaven there is no other way.  If your preacher or religious leader or whoever you follow is preaching a different way he is leading you down the wrong path.  Salvation through Jesus is the only way to heaven.

John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me

Acts 4:12Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”