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There is an amazing event that occurred just after Jesus died on the cross. It is only mentioned in the gospel of Matthew.
Mat 27:52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
Mat 27:53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
A lot of graves in those days were caves in a mountain with cork shaped stones sealing them. The shaking of the earth may have opened the graves, or perhaps they were opened by an angel as was the case when Jesus' tomb stone was rolled away, after three days. What I see in this resurrection is that Jesus did not need his flesh and blood body to raise the dead. He is God the Son, a Spirit with all power over life and death.
John 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
John 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
Jesus had already said to Martha whose brother Lazarus had died, that he is the resurrection and the life.
John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
John 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
If you can only see Jesus as a human, you cannot see that he is the Son of God with power to raise the dead. Those risen were after the resurrection of Jesus, he raised them by his eternal power. Believe in Jesus as the eternal son of God who came to earth in a human to bleed and die as payment for our sins. Believe this and ask him to save you. He came to seek and to save that which was lost.
A final thought. Those risen by the resurrection power of Jesus Christ may have been some of the Old Testament believers. Both Jacob and Joseph wanted their bones brought back to Israel. Maybe they were some of the resurrected first fruits? What is so amazing is that Jesus has power to bring life after death. The Bible also says that the Father and the Holy Spirit have power to raise the dead.The soul and spirit live forever. There is no use for corruptible bodies of dust that return to dust. The life is in the spirit and soul. God will give us new bodies in his time.
Our rest home ministry piano playing friend, Chuck Thomas died yesterday. I miss him but know that he lives with Jesus. We shall be together in the sweet by and bye with instruments and singing. All glory to God forever.
James 5:13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
Afflictions get our attention and can be used by God to correct us or to have a closer walk with him. The world has been afflicted with the China Virus. How we use this time is important. Let us draw closer to God in prayer and the reading of the Bible. Truth is, the news can make you depressed. Instead of dwelling on our problems we could sing the psalms and other spiritual songs. Instead of being depressed as the world we are blessed in the Lord. Let's not forget others in our blessings.
Eph 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
Eph 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Eph 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
Put on your happy face mask and rejoice in the Lord.
The apostle Paul saw that false apostles had come into the Church at Corinth and were puffing themselves up and pretending to have authority, preaching a false gospel. We have false leaders today preaching a prosperity message and fleecing the flock.
2Co 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2Co 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
False ones will get the surprise rejection of God at the judgement. All those big name preachers who are wanting power over the people to control them instead of preparing them to do the good works they are gifted to do. Evil workers will be judged.
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
There will always be bad apples in the church, in the police, in the civil rights leaders, in the teachers. in business and in government. It is our responsibility to beware, to warn others and if possible to remove them by voting or other legal ways. Martin Luther King said we should not be judged by our color, but by our character. In the end the false ones must face the Lord.
The world needs truth, mercy and hope. We hear "Black lives matter", but in truth all lives matter to God and without him nothing matters. People need Jesus and the truth of God. Let us look at some hidden truths starting in the old testament.
Zec 11:12 And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.
Zec 11:13 And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.
The old testament spoke prophecies that were revealed in the new testament.
Mat 27:3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
Mat 27:4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that.
Mat 27:5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.
Mat 27:6 And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.
Mat 27:7 And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in.
Mat 27:8 Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.
The price paid for the life of Jesus was thirty pieces of silver, the lowest price paid for a slave. The Jewish leaders were careful to keep the law, while at the same time violating the spirit of the law. They were guilty of conspiring to kill Jesus, they used Judas to get to him. They had no mercy for a repentant Judas. The silver was unclean because it was blood money. The payers of the blood money were truly the unclean things in the house of the LORD.
Jesus at an earlier time warned the Jewish leaders saying:
Mat 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
It seems to me that the punishment of the chief priests will be greater than for Judas. Judas tried to repent and they had no mercy for him. The priests had a higher position and were to be the spokesmen for the word of God. They missed the mark. But before blaming these key players, it was our sins that brought Jesus to earth, to willingly die to pay the price for them. It was all our sins that he came to die for. Knowing this and receiving him we are given the hope of eternal life with the Lord and the redeemed and that is the truth.
Gen 50:15 When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.”
Gen 50:16 So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died:
Gen 50:17 ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him.
Gen 50:18 His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.”
Gen 50:19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God?
Gen 50:20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
Gen 50:21 So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
Don't you just like a happy ending. The brothers who hated their father's favorite son and sold him into slavery never had peace. They thought with the father gone that Joseph would get even, but instead they were forgiven.
Joseph is a type of Christ. He had grace for his brothers. Jesus gave us grace too. He loved people and suffered excruciating pain, was nailed to a cross to deliver us from our sins. That is love. None of us deserve to be forgiven. Joseph showed his love and godly character by forgiving his brothers. "God meant it for good", it is God's doing. Love, forgiveness and kindness shown is to be aware that we are blessed of God. Give God the glory and live at peace with those who will receive peace.
2Co 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
Psa 8:2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.
We see the fulfillment of this prophecy of David in Matthew 21.
Mat 21:15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,
Mat 21:16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?
Who were the enemies that were stilled? They were the chief priests and the scribes, The chief priests were plotting to kill Jesus. They were angry with the children for calling out Hosanna ( save us now) to the Son of David. Praising Jesus is strength to the children.
Luk 19:37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;
Luk 19:38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
Luk 19:39 And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.
Luk 19:40 And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.
Jesus loves the little Children.
Mat 18:3 ... Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 18:5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
Mat 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.
I see little children as having innocent trust. The chief priests were once innocent children, but they grew up to be bitter blind guides who were to kill Jesus. Lord may we keep our innocence in trusting you completely.
2Co 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
The weapons of our spiritual warfare are not of the flesh but of the spirit. An enemy stronghold in the spirit are demons that have made a place of strength, a fortress. Ephesian 6 shows to us the spiritual weapons that we have as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Eph 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
"The Corinthian Christians tended to rely on and admire carnal weapons for the Christian battle. Instead of the belt of truth, they fought with manipulation. Instead of the breastplate of righteousness, they fought with the image of success. Instead of the shoes of the gospel, they fought with smooth words. Instead of the shield of faith, they fought with the perception of power. Instead of the helmet of salvation, they fought with lording over authority. Instead of the sword of the Spirit, they fought with human schemes and programs. (Guzik)"
Our country is in many spiritual battles against the strongholds of the devil. We are to restrain the darkness by the light of truth. Put on the spiritual weapons and keep them on. Our offensive weapon is the sword of the spirit of truth, the word of God. Our defensive weapon is faith in God and his word.
Jer 9:23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
Jer 9:24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
Thank you LORD that you have given to us your blessings and abilities. We glory that you understand us, know us and that you show us your loving kindness, judgement and righteousness. You are the most high creator and you are good.
Jesus spoke of the nature of the devil contrasted with the glory of the good shepherd.
Joh 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Joh 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
The devil here is called the thief, the killer, and destroyer and he is a liar. If he sees that we are seeking self glory, he will lie to us to take us away from the good shepherd who wants to give us a good life, a more abundant life. We leave the liar to come to God through Jesus for a more abundant life. If we Give him our life, he will keep us in his love forever.
Mat 26:20 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.
Mat 26:21 And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
Mat 26:22 And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?
Mat 26:23 And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
Mat 26:24 The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.
Mat 26:25 Then Judas, which betrayed him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto him, Thou hast said.
Satan came into Judas as he left the table to betray his friend.
The question I have is was Judas fore ordained to be the one who would betray the Messiah? Jesus knew at the last supper that it was he who would betray him. Judas had already received 30 pieces of silver from the chief priests. He had gone to the chief priests after the anointing of Jesus by the woman with the alabaster box of ointment. He had complained that it was a waste of money. He was more interested in the money as he was the one who kept the money purse.
Mat 26:14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,
Mat 26:15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
Later in his prayer to the Father, Jesus mentioned the son of perdition, the son of destruction: “the phrase denotes an abandoned character, one utterly lost and given over to evil.”
Joh 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
A Psalm may have been a prophecy of his betrayal.
Psa 41:9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
I do not believe that Judas was picked out of all men to be the betrayer. If he was made to betray the Christ, then he would not have had free will. How could God punish someone who had no choice? Did God know who would betray Jesus, yes, he knows all things.
If all the events of this time were moved to where we are at this time. Do you think that it would be hard to find someone to betray Jesus? It might be me or you, but we can look back and thank Jesus that it was not us knowing that our sins put him on the cross and that through him we can be forgiven. Could Judas have repented? He did repent, but he did so to the chief priests who cared nothing for his soul. They were as guilty as he was. Only Jesus can forgive our sins by the will of God, his Father.
Mat 26:63 ... And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.
Mat 26:64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Mat 26:65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.
Mat 26:66 What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.
Accused and condemned for telling the truth. This is how are nation is becoming. People believe the lies and condemn the truth. When a people can no longer respect truth we have confusion and every evil work.
Isa 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Isa 5:21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
No man could take the life of Jesus. He gave it willingly to pay for our sins.
Joh 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
Joh 10:18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
The pioneer spirit was that if we work hard, trusting in God that we would succeed in our efforts. This is often portrayed as a strong independent person "toughing it out", like the movie star John Wayne. Often he would walk alone into the sunset, a larger than life person. John was a friend of a cowboy music composer who was saved in a Billy Graham evangelical crusade. Stuart Hamblen was asked by John Wayne about the rumor going around Hollywood that Hamblen had changed his ways. Hamblen replied that it was no secret what God had done for him and what God could do for his friend, too. John Wayne then replied that Hamblen should turn those lines into a song and he did. It is no secret what God can do
Jas 4:5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”?
Jas 4:6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
1Co 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
1Co 6:20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
We were created in the image of God to have fellowship with him and to rely on him. Lucifer was created to serve God, but he was so beautifully made that he became full of pride, he wanted to take the place of God. God cast him down to earth and Lucifer stole dominion of the earth from Adam and Eve.
Jesus came to take our sins upon himself, humbling himself in obedience to the Father, even to die on a cruel cross. His death and resurrection broke the power of satan. Those who accepted the atonement of Jesus for their sins have fellowship with God once again. God gave us grace, power from above to be used in our obedience. Still, pride was a problem and satan who dwells in sin would raise up his ugly mouth to accuse us. We are to submit to God, and not be proud, but humble. His grace is the enabling power of God available to us. Grace for salvation and grace to do the will and purpose of God.
Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Jas 4:8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
We are only made pure through the sacrifice of Jesus. Our righteousness is from him. We must not try to do things independently from our God. This is being double minded, having pride instead of being humble and relying on the grace of God. The scripture says when we think we are something, we really are not.
Gal 6:1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
Gal 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Gal 6:3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
We are the adopted family of God. Let us draw closer to him, resisting the devil. We belong to God Almighty by the finished work of Jesus, and that by his grace. More of you Lord and less of me. It is no secret what God can do, thank you Lord for your abundant grace. Amen
Amo 8:11 “Behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord GOD, “when I will send a famine on the land— not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD.
Amo 8:12 They shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east; they shall run to and fro, to seek the word of the LORD, but they shall not find it.
In context this was for Israel in captivity. But, it could be applied to those who are only taught by our schools a godless humanism or those caught up in movements not of God. Instead of the ten commandments on the blackboards of schools and in public places we have political correctness; words about racism, and streets painted with Black Lives Matter. There are cries to take away our guns and to defund the police. You can see the powers of darkness in all of this.
Churches that no longer preach the gospel message, have strayed from their purpose. They are promoting self help and get rich by seeking all you can get now, in this life, Instead of preparing for the eternal life. I see a problem with churches that are becoming as the world in their "programs" and their music. People looking for God, leave empty and perplexed.
I admire those who were faithful in sharing God's word. Many of these people are still sharing through tapes of past sermons, even after they have left this life and are with Jesus. I admire and enjoy the words of Billy Graham, Adrian Rogers, J Vernon McGee, D. James Kennedy, Oswald Chambers and others who have gone to the Lord. There are many gifted preachers in the land and in the churches and we live in an evil time. We have the light of God's word to keep the darkness from snuffing out the light. Keep it shining.
Song: This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine...let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
This Little Light of Mine
Psa 6:1 To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments; according to The Sheminith. A Psalm of David. O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath.
Psa 6:2 Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled.
Psa 6:3 My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O LORD—how long?
Psa 6:4 Turn, O LORD, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love...
This Psalm was to be made into music using stringed instruments according to the Sheminith. The concordance was not sure what the meaning was, it may have been an eight stringed instrument, or a notation to be played in a lower octave, as in a man's lower voice...
Looking for Sheminith on YouTube , I found a wonderful men's quintet from the Solomon islands.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xoki-IrKiz4
Luk 8:4 And when much people were gathered together, and were come to him out of every city, he spake by a parable:
Luk 8:5 A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it.
Luk 8:6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture.
Luk 8:7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it.
Luk 8:8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Jesus explained to his disciples the meaning of the parables. Most people see the four examples as being four levels of people seeking to do the will of God. It could also be the steps of progress of one person seeking to know his Shepherd. My chicken thinks I am his shepherd. She follows me around, gets as close as she can to where I almost step on her if not careful. I would never seek to harm my chicken. Our LORD is our shepherd who leads us, but do we love him with the devotion even of the lowly hen?
Jesus explains the four types of soil, or hearts.
Luk 8:11 Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
Luk 8:12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
Luk 8:13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
Luk 8:14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
Luk 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.
Now I believe that our salvation is the work of God through faith in Jesus, and once saved we are always saved, by his grace and not by our works. However we should seek to grow in faith and commitment following salvation.
Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
Rom 10:9 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.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Let us return to Jesus' explanation.
Luk 8:12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
The first example shows that satan came and took the word out of their hearts, they were not saved from their sins, there was no salvation because they did not believe in their hearts.
The second example shows that the word was received with joy, but the garden was not cared for and they were not strong in faith.
The third example shows that there was too much junk in the life and the progress was choked out.
The forth example shows the word falling in a prepared heart with an increase of good fruit. I learn from this that before we write off someone because they do not act as a Christian, perhaps they need help in growing into maturity. A fruitful Christian is totally dedicated to helping others to grow in faith. The devil comes immediately to snatch away the word, so knowing this we must be dedicated by reading the word with understanding. The Bible word is the sword of truth against the thief and liar. God loves us so much. He will help us as we face the worlds dangers. Come to him as a chick to the mother hen. We were made in the image of God, not a chicken. So let's be what God intended for us.
Mat 22:31 And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God:
Mat 22:32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living.”
Mat 22:33 And when the crowd heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.
Jesus was speaking to the Sadducee's who did not believe in an afterlife. Jesus spoke of historical people of faith as not being dead, but alive. The soul and spirit do not die. The body returns to dust but the soul returns to God who is a righteous judge. Not only this but Jesus existed with the Father before coming to earth in a human body. Abraham was aware of the coming of Jesus, who is the way, the truth and the life. (John 14:6)
John 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day. He saw it and was glad.”
John 8:57 So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?”
John 8:58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”
John 8:59 So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.
2Co 5:1 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
2Co 5:2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling,
2Co 5:3 if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked.
2Co 5:4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.
2Co 5:5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
2Co 5:6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord,
2Co 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight.
2Co 5:8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
The Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins and by faith in him we receive eternal life. Because he overcame death, so shall we.
I met a friend that I knew from the college band that I had not seen in fifteen years. He spoke to me "the Lord is good" and we were as brothers again. The place we were at was at the Veterans cemetery, a beautiful setting for a funeral and a final burial. We were there for a musician friends funeral. It was a military funeral with the traditional honors and the presenting of the flag to the widow. The widow read a poem about bicycling in heaven in meadows of flowers and under a star filled sky. Her husband loved to ride his bicycle in marathons with friends. People get sentimental, but we tend to make up stories about heaven that are not based on truth. Give me the evidence of the Bible. The promise that in Jesus Christ we will be clothed in a new body and be with him forever.
2Co 5:8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
We have life in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Mat 5:43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
Mat 5:44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Mat 5:45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Mat 5:46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
Mat 5:47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?
Mat 5:48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
I see a picture of these verses in the story of Job.
Job was considered by the LORD to be a just man, he was allowed to be put to the test by the devil. His friends came to be with him trying to explain why he was so tormented in his body. The friends were agreeing that Job must have sinned to have been so afflicted. Their "comfort" added to the pain that Job suffered. I think in this we should learn that we do not have to find a reason and to put the blame as to the cause of a tragedy in a life. Often I hear "he doesn't have enough faith". Stop judging and blaming. Try to be a friend without the foolish words. In the end of the story of Job the LORD was angry with Job's friends.
Job 42:7 After the LORD had spoken these words to Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.
Job 42:8 Now therefore take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves. And my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept his prayer not to deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.”
This was Job's opportunity to get even and to punish his accusers, but instead he behaved as one of God's children. He prayed grace for his friends and the LORD restored Job doubling his fortune, including an increase in his family.
Job 42:10 And the LORD restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.
Job 42:13 He had also seven sons and three daughters.
Now we can see why it is best to pray for our enemies. You may save a soul and you will certainly prosper in your spirit, and be blessed in your needs.
Job 42:1 Then Job answered the LORD:
Job 42:2 "I know you can do everything. You make plans, and nothing can change or stop them.
The LORD makes plans and how can we know them? The Bible is an accurate guide to what was, what is, and what will be. Hundreds of prophecies have been fulfilled and will be fulfilled about the plans of God. The question that we might ask is, what are your plans for me, LORD? He has given us commands. If you are a disciple of Jesus Christ he has given to us the great commission.
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Mat 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Mat 28:20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Shutting down the churches during the pandemic may have been the plan of God. But keeping the church closed is not the plan of God. We are to go into all the nations with the good news that Jesus has paid the price for our sins by his death, and that he is risen returning to the Father in heaven and He is coming back again. We can get this message out through the media, but we also need personal contact, baptizing the new believers to show the world and the spiritual world that we identify with Jesus. This is a symbol of being buried with Christ and being resurrected to new life.
When I was saved by Jesus in 1959, my entire family, father, mother, and two brothers all were baptized to show our belief in Jesus Christ as our savior. Baptism is an act of obedience following your profession of faith. Life goes on and we make personal goals and plans.
James warned us about making plans in our arrogance.
Jas 4:13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”—
Jas 4:14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
Jas 4:15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”
Jas 4:16 As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
With the China virus being world wide. Everyone's plans are unsure. One thing is for sure God is in control and his purpose he will do.
