9/14/13

From Gary.... Crossing the divide


Simple picture and message; there is a difference between the waters- One is muddy, the other no.  As far as human understand goes, we like to see everyone the same (sort of like that small mixture of the two rivers). God doesn't see people that way.  His judgement as far as heaven goes is... either you are in or not!!!  Jesus uses a parable to explain this and it is well worth your time to both read and understand its message...

Luke, Chapter 16
 19  “Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, living in luxury every day.   20  A certain beggar, named Lazarus, was laid at his gate, full of sores,   21  and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Yes, even the dogs came and licked his sores.   22  The beggar died, and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried.   23  In Hades, he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far off, and Lazarus at his bosom.   24  He cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue! For I am in anguish in this flame.’ 

  25  “But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that you, in your lifetime, received your good things, and Lazarus, in the same way, bad things. But now here he is comforted and you are in anguish.   26 Besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that those who want to pass from here to you are not able, and that no one may cross over from there to us.’ 

  27  “He said, ‘I ask you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house;   28  for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, so they won’t also come into this place of torment.’ 

  29  “But Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’ 

  30  “He said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 

  31  “He said to him, ‘If they don’t listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if one rises from the dead.’” 

Life can be easy or it can be hard.  The rich man had it easy in this life, but didn't listen to Moses and the Prophets.  He paid the price (verses 25, 26).  I am sorry for him, but he made his choices.  Awaiting the end, he pleads for his family, but God tells him that they should listen to Moses and Prophets.  Even sending someone back from the dead would avail nothing.  Spiritual life is about listening- listening to what God has to tell you and then doing it to the best of your ability.  Those who wish to cross over the divide between the muddy waters of human reason to the clear flowing blessings of God, need only to hear what God has to say to you (through his word) and do it.  Jesus puts it this way...

John, Chapter 12
 44  Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me, but in him who sent me.  45  He who sees me sees him who sent me.   46  I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in the darkness.   47  If anyone listens to my sayings, and doesn’t believe, I don’t judge him. For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.   48  He who rejects me, and doesn’t receive my sayings, has one who judges him. The word that I spoke, the same will judge him in the last day.   49  For I spoke not from myself, but the Father who sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.   50  I know that his commandment is eternal life. The things therefore which I speak, even as the Father has said to me, so I speak.” 

Gary- Are you listening  yet?

From Jim McGuiggan... Matthew 17:24-27: Fishing for Taxes

Matthew 17:24-27: Fishing for Taxes

Nehemiah 10:32-33 introduced contributions for the upkeep of the temple and the services provided there and temple tax collectors wanted to know if Christ submitted to it. "Of course!" Peter shot back and later met Jesus at the house. We’re not told much about how the conversation started but Matthew tells us that Jesus was the first to speak (Matthew 17:25). Had Peter spoken too quickly? Perhaps not, but it seems that Jesus wanted to make a point that Peter needed to hear. He wanted to know from Peter if kings taxed their children or "others" (non-family subjects and foreigners too, I would presume). Peter said they got them from others and Christ making his point from custom claimed that the sons were free (17:26).
It’s a difficult text in numerous ways but it does appear that Jesus is making a claim for himself, as one having a special relationship to the King of the temple. He was exempt from temple-tax because his Father was the Lord of the temple.
It’s an astonishing claim but it was no less than the truth. Still, anyone can make a claim like that. You’ll recall that he claimed to have the authority to forgive sins (see Matthew 9:1-8) and made good his claim to forgive sins by doing what to watchers was the more difficult thing—instantly healing a paralytic. To him the healing was as easy as the claim. Claiming rightful exemption from temple tax was easy enough—any lunatic or megalomaniac could make it— but making good the claim was something else.
Still, Jesus had no wish to offend needlessly and insisted on paying the tax. "Yes, we thought so, he makes the claim but he sees to it that he knuckles under like the rest of us." That’s not what happened. Without fanfare and maybe only between him and Peter he sent Peter to get their tax from a fish that was holding it in store for them (17:27). It isn’t the usual kind of miracle and it doesn’t always sit right even with believers. If you were in a bad mood the miracle might look like a bit of grandstanding. But there’s something creative about this control of the sea and the fish in it (compare Genesis 1:22); it’s the kind of authority we noted in other miracles.
There’s much to learn here. He who is greater than the temple (Matthew 12:6) still recognises its place and purpose and supports it. He who is exempt from the tax is willing to pay it because he refuses to undermine the temple and the authority it represents (17:27). He who more than anyone else is aware of the temple’s limitations will not make a career out of flaunting his criticisms of it or parading his freedom from it.
You can’t read Matthew without seeing that as far as Jesus was concerned, authority was designed to lift up, to serve and heal and free (compare 2 Corinthians 10:8 and 13:10 from Paul who insisted on imitating his Master—1 Corinthians 9:15-23 and 10:33). Jesus summarised his whole life in Matthew 20:28 as the saviour without whom no one is ransomed. Now that’s power and authority but we need to note how that power and authority is expressed. "The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve."
There are only two types of power—pagan and Christlike. Matthew 20:20-28.

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Mark Copeland... The Sin Of Hindering Others (Galatians 5:7-12)


                     "THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS"

                  The Sin Of Hindering Others (5:7-12)

INTRODUCTION

1. It is not unusual in foot races for runners to jostle one another...
   a. Bumping elbows, tripping over one another's feet
   b. Often resulting in breaking one's stride, hindering one's ability
      to keep up

2. Paul expressed his concern about Christians being 'hindered' in their
   spiritual race.. - Ga 5:7-12
   a. The word used here (anakopto) means properly to beat or drive back
      - Barnes
   b. Hence, it means to hinder, check, or retard. Dr. Doddridge remarks
      that this is "an Olympic expression, and properly signifies
      "coming across the course" while a person is running in it, in
      such a manner as to jostle, and throw him out of the way." - ibid.

[We are in a race in which we must all run well (cf. 1Co 9:24; He 12:1).  As we run, do we help or hinder others who run along with us?
Here are some thoughts on "The Sin Of Hindering Others"...]

I. HOW WE CAN HINDER OTHER CHRISTIANS

   A. THROUGH FALSE TEACHING...
      1. The problem in our text (those teaching the necessity of
         circumcision) - cf. Ga 5:1-6
      2. A concern later voiced by Peter - cf. 2Pe 3:17
      3. Preventing one from obeying the truth - Ga 5:7
      -- Certainly a warning to those who would teach and preach

   B. THROUGH SINFUL CONDUCT...
      1. Such as immorality, being a bad influence on others - cf. 1Co 15:33
      2. Such as slothfulness, which is as detrimental as those who
         would destroy - cf. Pr 18:9
      3. The example we set can have an adverse effect on others
      -- This should be a warning to all Christians, whether teachers or
         not

[In different ways, then, we can easily become a hindrance to those who
are running.  To appreciate how serious a matter this is, consider...]

II. HOW GOD FEELS ABOUT THOSE WHO HINDER

   A. FROM THE WORDS OF PAUL...
      1. They are like leaven that leavens the whole lump - Ga 5:9; cf.
         1Co 5:6-8
         a. Their negative influence spreads, infecting others
         b. Similar to how one runner may jostle another, who then bumps
            into another, etc.
      2. They will bear their judgment (be held accountable) - Ga 5:10
         a. The Lord takes notice of those who are a hindrance
         b. It matters not who they are (or think they are)
      3. He could wish that they cut off themselves - Ga 5:12
         a. Some believe Paul had in mind that they may emasculate
            themselves
         b. Others believe Paul desired they cut themselves off from the
            community of the church
      -- Strong words from the inspired pen of the apostle!

   B. FROM THE WORDS OF JESUS...
      1. Woe to those who cause offenses (occasions of stumbling) - Lk 17:1
      2. It is better to place a millstone around one's neck, and be
         cast into the sea - Lk 17:2
      3. Jesus takes mistreating His disciples personally - cf. Mt 25:
         41-45; Ac 9:1-5
      -- Equally strong words from the voice of the Son of God!

[In view of such strong words, we do well to be concerned about not
hindering our brethren...]

III. HOW WE CAN AVOID BECOMING A HINDRANCE

   A. GIVE CAREFUL ATTENTION TO OUR EXAMPLE...
      1. So Paul encouraged young Timothy - cf. 1Ti 4:12
      2. Give attention to our attendance
         a. The example we set influences others to be either faithful
            or slothful
         b. Is our example in attending services of the church hindering
            others in this regard?
      3. Give attention to our attitude
         a. We can inspire others by our love, spirit, speech and faith
         b. Are we a source of spiritual encouragement to those around
            us?
      -- What kind of example are we providing to our fellow
         'runners'...?

   B. GIVE CAREFUL ATTENTION TO THE WORD...
      1. So Paul admonished young Timothy - 1Ti 4:16
      2. Give attention to the study of God's Word
         a. Only through careful study can we discern between truth and
            error
         b. Is our example of attending Bible study encouraging others
            to do the same?
      3. Give attention to the proclamation of the Word
         a. To what we say or teach about God's Word, whether in private
            or in public
         b. Is what we tell others helping them to draw closer to God?

CONCLUSION

1. We either hinder or help our brethren in Christ...
   a. Who are running a great race, the race of faith
   b. Who can easily be made to stumble by the other runners around them

2. Christians should be a source of great encouragement to one
   another...
   a. If we are, how wonderful it will be when we are together in
      eternity!
   b. If we hinder others, woe to us, for we will be judged harshly!

Paul had confidence in his brethren (Ga 5:10); do we give each other
reason for similar confidence?  We will, if we run "looking unto Jesus"
and with "straight paths for your feet" (He 12:1-2,12-16)...


Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

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