Treasure is Found

N.T.#154 "Treasure is Found"

Sept. 29, 2023

Matthew 13-Part 11

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. (verse 44)

LET IT GLOW

Believers already shine because they have the Spirit of Christ and the glorious message of the gospel. They will shine even more in the glory of Christ's kingdom and eternal heaven. (MacArthur) (verse 43)

The fifth parable Jesus spoke to His disciples involves another field. When Jesus is the man and the treasure in the field represents potential believers in the world, we see five things He does:

1. He hides the treasure. Jesus takes what the Father has given Him and tucks it away in His heart, choosing and protecting them until He can complete the work of salvation. (John 10)
2. He goes; Jesus came into the world to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:1, John 10:10))
3. He sells all. Jesus gave up heaven in all its glory and splendor in order to die for us sinners.        (2 Cor. 8:9)
4. He buys. Jesus paid the ultimate price, death, so we can have eternal life. (1 Peter 3:18)
5. He joys. Jesus envisions the glorious day when all His treasure (believers) shall be possessed by Him. (Heb. 12:2)                                                                                                                   Resource: The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible

Has Jesus spoken to your heart lately? Have you surrendered to be one of His treasures? If so, then you are precious in His sight. 

LET IT GROW

On the other hand, Jesus can be our treasure. He has wisdom, knowledge, righteousness, grace, mercy, and peace. Have you found this Treasure? Are we willing to give up a everything we possess in order to gain heaven? It is so worth everything to live under the rule of God and His blessings. What are we sacrificing so we can participate in Kingdom work? Are we sharing this Treasure of Salvation with others?

LET IT GO

Jesus, You are sweeter than honey in the honeycomb, a spring of living water, bread of heaven, marrow in our bones, light in the world. 

How glorious is Your name, Lord God Almighty!

Have You Got It?

 N.T.#153 "Have You Got It?" 

Sept. 28, 2023

Matthew 13-Part 10

Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to heart, let him hear. (verse 43)

LET IT GLOW

The first time the Holy Spirit spoke to me was during a Vacation Bible School lesson. The teacher told us what Jesus did for us, taking our punishment for sin. However, I did not respond, since my friends were there and I was embarrassed. How thankful I am that God showed me grace and gave me another opportunity. Have you asked Jesus to be your Savior and forgive your sins yet?

The disciple of Jesus desired for Him to explain the parable of the tares (weeds) of the field. (verse 36) Did you notice that Jesus had left the crowd and went into a house, probably Peter's house. The disciples did not ask about the mustard seed or the leaven parables. They seemed to be troubled by the fact that God would tolerate the imperfection and impurity of the poisonous tares growing among the wheat. So Jesus explained to them that a day is coming when God sends His angels to gather those wicked plants of the devil and cast into eternal fire. (verses 40-42) The unjust will be removed forever. It is Jesus who will separate the weeds (unsaved wicked) from the wheat (saved believers).

Then the kingdom of God will be characterized by purity and righteousness. The righteous will shine like the sun. (verse 43) Therefore, we need wisdom when to step up and wage an aggressive fight against wrong and when to step back and fulfill other work God has called us to do. There are believers in Jesus who are not living up to the high standards of the Word. So let's keep our eyes on Jesus and His teachings. 

Are we shining like the sun as believers and followers of Jesus?

LET IT GROW

When Jesus was with His disciples, alone in the house, He spoke more parables to them. His closest followers were given the Spirit to open their hears and minds to hear and understand Jesus' messages. Jesus didn't explain these parables. They got it. What a contrast to those who were closed-minded that rejected Jesus, friends and relatives back home, Pharisees who were spiritual leaders, that just didn't get it. 

Friend, do you get it? Do you realize that when death comes, our eternal home has been sealed by then and we go there? No one can pray us out of any situation by that time. We must decide before we die. The grace of God gives us opportunities to surrender to Jesus as our Savior. Have you experienced this grace yet?

LET IT GO

Such love and patience You show us, King Jesus.

Praise to the Savior Jesus!

Yeast Bread and Sin

N.T.#152 "Yeast Bread and Sin"

Sept. 27, 2023

Matthew 13-Part 9

LET IT GLOW

Jesus used many similar stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand. In fact, in His public ministry He never taught without using parables; but afterward, when He was alone with His disciples, Jesus explained everything to them. (Mark 4:33-34, NLT)

This fulfilled what God had spoken in Psalm 78:2, I will speak to you in parables, I will explain things hidden since the creation of the world.

Keep in mind that Jesus came to fulfill what the prophets wrote. I wonder if, before Jesus ever started to create anything, He and God were sitting on their thrones in heaven discussing the details of creation and events to come, Jesus volunteered to come to earth, live a perfect life, and be the propitiation for our sins. Sins they knew Adam and Eve would sin, and all people born to them would have a sin nature, they would need a Savior who loved them this much. (Maybe I have a child-like mind, but it could have been.) Anyway, the Trinity decided to keep some things secret, according to verse 35b.

How grateful we should be that salvation is not kept a secret. Although, I consider it a wonder, that the Perfect Creator would love us sinners so much that He would even come live among us sinners, much less die for us. Praise the Lord!

LET IT GROW    

The fourth parable Jesus used was this: The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough. (verse 33, NLT)

The King James Version uses the word leaven, which means ferment, as if boiling up.

If you bake yeast bread, you know how tiny yeast is in that package. It takes warm milk or water, with some sugar, in order for the yeast to rise. Then it is added to the flour. Yet, this yeast can ferment loaves of bread, making it rise and not flatbread.

Some commentaries say this parable is about the church; leaven is symbolic of evil. False prophets and teachers come into the church to deceive believers, adding to the Word of God or taking away from it, or bringing in false doctrine. Also, leaven can be referring to false professions of unsaved church members, too. 

Jesus told His disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod. (Mark 8:15)

Many modern churches have turned away from the Word of God, mixing it with other teachings. Some have watered it down in order to please crowds living in sin. We are told to not add to or take away from the Truth.

Aren't we living in perilous times? Folks, we desperately need to know what we believe and back it up with Scripture. Homosexuality, adultery, abortion are all sins. We need to stand against them, teach the Truth to our children and grandchildren.

It only takes one sin to send a person to hell. 

LET GO

Teach us Your Truth and Ways, Lord Jesus, so we can honor You and share with others.

Give us a hunger for Your Word and thirsting for Your Spirit.

To Jesus be glory, honor, and praise! 

Tiny Seed Grows Large

N. T. #151 

Sept. 26, 2023

Matthew 13-Part 8

LET IT GLOW 

Previously, we read about the wheat and weeds parable Jesus spoke of to the crowd and His disciples. (verses 24-30) Both were allowed to grow together in the farmer’s field. Then at harvest time, it would be evident which plants were the bad ones, the weeds. Those would be burned.

The message is this: the field is the world, Christ is the farmer, whose seed, the gospel, is down. Those who reject Jesus as Savior will be be cast into the lake of fire, hell, at the final judgment.

However, believers who have put their faith in Christ, will be rewarded with heaven (the barn).Their fruits will be revealed.

What about you, friend? Where will you spend eternity? Will family and friends be with you in heaven?

LET IT GROW 

I have shared before that there is a jar in my kitchen window containing mustard seeds. It reminds me that my faith may be small, but God can grow it and multiply it into a large, fruitful faith. Today we read about this tiny seed.

The third parable is found in verses 31-32. A man sowed mustard seed in his field. Now have you ever seen a mustard seed? It is very small, but when it is mature, the Palestinian plant can grow 15 feet high, so I read. At any rate, it can become a large bush or tree-sized. Even birds can lodge there. 

The growth of the church will develop into a world power, but will have false professors cluttering the true tree of God’s fruitful people seeking to benefit their own interests in Romans 11.  (Falwell)

The good news is that Israel’s apostasy is not permanent. They will eventually believe Jesus Christ is The Savior and Messiah which was foretold by the prophets. 

Are you ready for Jesus’ return? Christians will be raptured out of this evil world and zapped to heaven. The Antichrist will reign on earth. Jesus will overcome him and then reign for a thousand years on earth. The final judgment will come. The wheat and weeds will be separated for all eternity.

Dear one, this is not just a sort found in Revelation, but will actually happen. Are you ready? Jesus loves you so much that He was willing to take your punishment for sins ( and me).  Simply believe He is The Way, The Truth, and The Life. No one can come to The Father God except through Him, Jesus Christ. Have you ever asked Jesus to forgive your sins and be your Savior? You can right now, if you never have. 

(I often write planting the urgency of the Gospel because people around the world are visiting this site. So many have a false religion and need to hear the Truth.)

LET I T GO

Such sacrificial live live You have shown us Lird Jesus!

Thank You. 

Bless all who read this with Your mercy.

Wheat and Weeds

N.T.#150 "Wheat and Weeds" 

Sept. 25, 2023

Matthew 13-Part 7

LET IT GLOW

Are we wise in our own eyes, arrogant in our own knowledge?  Or do we seek the truth in childlike faith? Only God holds all the answers. We have been looking at the secrets of heaven, which Jesus revealed in parables in this chapter. First was the parable of the farmer who sowed seeds that fell upon 4 various types of ground. Next was the parable of the wheat and weeds. We learned that different hearts receive the Word of God in various ways. At the end of the age, Jesus will return to the world of wickedness and establish His kingdom on earth. His angels will gather those wicked plants of the devil and cast them into eternal fire. (verses 40-42) So the saved will be separated from the unsaved wicked-the tares or weeds.

Which are you?

LET IT GROW

Sometimes it is hard to distinguish between the good and bad. We need to be aware of false teachers and wolves that attack the flock in the church. We must be constantly on guard, attentive, and alert because we can't always tell the difference. In this mixed-up world, we need to be careful not to rush in and deal with the wrongs. Most of the time they will not change their ways. Remember, the King is coming and He will remove them. Trust Jesus to protect His people until that day.

LET IT GO

Help us follow You, Jesus, and Your Word. 

give us strength to stand for the Truth. 

Wheat or Weed?

N. T. #149 “Wheat or Weed?”

Sept. 22,2023 

Matthew 13-Part 6 

LET IT GLOW 

When I look out our window, I can see weeds (I call them sticker weeds) in his field growing along with grass.  If you are a cattle farmer, you know this is bad for the grass to grow and mature. Also, those sticker weeds’ heads look similar to the heads of the grass. (The weeds can poke the cows’ eyes and cause damage.) A farmer surely desires a field a grass in order to feed his cows or make hay. 

Still, Jesus is sitting in a boat teaching the people and His disciples through parables. Some have said parables are earthly stories with heavenly meanings.

 Do you recall the first parable? The farmer sows seeds, which falls on 4 various types of soil. Meaning: Jesus sows His Word that falls on different kinds of hearts. Similarly, as we spread the gospel, some may accept it and others may reject it  

The second parable Jesus taught is about wheat and weeds. A farmer sows good seed in his field. (verse 24) But in the night his enemy sowed tares(false grain) or seeds of weeds. It is hard to distinguish which plant is wheat and which is weed until the head of the plant matures.  

The problem is, the rare or weed hosts a kind of fungus, poisonous to humans, and can contaminate the good wheat, thus utterly ruining the farmer’s crop. 

Sowing such a weed among wheat would be considered an act of revenge, which was punishable by Roman law. So the farmer’s enemy in this parable was vicious and cruel.  The laborers would gather the bad grains to burn and store the good wheat in the barn. (verse 30)

LET IT GROW 

What is the meaning of this parable? 

1. There is a time of planting (God’s Word). However, the devil deceives people into thinking they are saved or don’t need Jesus.

2. There is a time of waiting. Believers and nonbelievers pretending to be a Christian may be in a church together. 

3. A time of harvesting comes. Jesus will separate the wheat ( believers) and the fake ones. The true believers, save by Jesus from punishment for their sins, will get to spend eternity in heaven.  Those faking it will not. 

Which are you, wheat or tare?

LET IT GO

Help us have discernment.

Use us to share Your love today.

How is Your Heart

N. T. #148 “How is Your Heart?”

Sept. 20, 2023 

Matthew 13-Part 5 

LET IT GLOW 

My nephew has had a job were he traveled to various places getting samples of soul and water. He would obtain it, then others would test it for good and bad elements. So I was thinking, that we should test the soil of our heart, too.

1. Are we faithful and fruitful? As a believer, is our our heart well watered by studying Scripture, prayers, and fellowship?

2. Are we worried and worldly? Is our heart constantly on wealth, material things, luxuries and keeping them?

3. Are we shallow and shaky? Is our faith shallow that it focuses on emotion, sentimentalism, and tradition or is it growing in obedience, commitment, and perseverance? Do trials and criticisms result in our faith being rootless? Are we applying the Word of God in our life? Do we know believers like this?

LET IT GROW 

4. Are we faithless and stubborn? This category in the parable is the only one that describes a person who rejects the Truth and doesn’t have a saving relationship with Christ.

(Resource: Swindoll’s Living Insights-Matthew 1-15)

 If you can’t recall a time that you asked Jesus to be your Savior and forgive your sins, then plow up the hard ground of your heart. (Jeremiah 4:3) Jesus Christ died and rose from the grave to prove His love for you and me, as well as provide for our eternal life in heaven with Him. It is by faith that we come to Holy God, not by good works. 

Will you trust Jesus today?

LET IT GO

Trust and obey for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Testing the Soil of our Heart

N. T. #147 “Testing the Soil of our Heart”

Sept. 19, 2023 

Matthew 13-Part 4

LET IT GLOW 

Did you figure out which type of soil your heart is when God’s Word (seed) falls upon it? Is it a hard footpath or road, so hard that other things of life snatch it up? Is it like shallow soil that is rocky and the Word doesn’t take root, and is burnt out by worries? Or is your heart like thorny soil where weeds of doubt and bitterness choke out the Word? Hopefully, our hearts are like the good soil, which isn’t contaminated with those things, and the Word takes root, grows, then multiplies bearing fruit a hundred fold. 

As believers in Christ, who received God’s Word of the gospel of salvation through faith, we should be hearing, receiving, and living this Word daily.

Swindoll gives us 4 questions to ask ourselves in testifying our own soil (heart):

1. Are we faithful and fruitful? Is our heart well watered by prayer, studying the Word, and fellowship inn with other believers? Does our heart-soil remain soft with forgiveness and reconciliation? Do we nurture a healthy heart depending on the Holy Spirit?                           

LET IT GROW 

   2. Are you worried and worldly? How hig in your list of priorities is Christ? Is the pursuit of wealth, luxuries, and position top priority? Do you gather with the church members for service, recreation, or even worship? 

Hopefully, we are living with a heart like number 1. What about our circle of friends and family?

LET IT GO

Change my heart dearLord. Make it faithful and true. Change my heart dear Lord, may I be like you. Jesus, how loving and forgiving You are. Set our feet on solid Rock. 

Soil and Heart

N. T. #146 “Soil and Heart”

Sept. 18, 2023 

Matthew 13-Part3 

LET IT GLOW 

Now we begin studying the 7 parables Jesus used to give a spiritual truth to His disciples and the crowd  Can you picture Him sitting in a boat along the shore of the Sea of Galilee? The crowd is sitting along the grassy hillside listening to the great teacher.

The first parable involves a farmer who is sowing seed for his crop. What are the various types of soil situations on which it fell?

1. A footpath or road which was on the edge of a ploughed field or a beaten path. These areas are hard, packed down by farmers walking on it  The seeds of grain land there and birds snatch them up.
2. Shallow soil is rocky and the top soil might be only a few inches deep. The farmer can’t hoe the ground for the rocks being there. Therefore, the plant has no Roos and the sun burns it up.
3. Thorny soil is located near the edge of the field with thorny bushes. Those bushes rob the seeds of sunlight and nutrients in the soil, so the grain is choked out. 
4. Good soil is deep, rich soil without weeds, thorns, trampling feet, no birds around, no rocks or scorching heat. It is ideal soil for grain to grow, produce a hundredfold, and gives a bountiful crop for the farmer. (verses 3-9)

In this story, the farmer is representing Jesus, the seed is the Word of God, and the soil is the hearts of people. His Word falls on various kinds of hearts. 

(Resource: Swindoll’s Living Insightsin Matthew)

LET IT GROW 

Which kind of heart is ours that the Word falls on inside us?

1. The road represents a hard heart. (verse 19) This person has a closed mind, is blind to the Truth, refuses to listen or accept the teachings, so Satan snatches the message away and no good is accomplished. 
2. Rocky places represents a shallow heart, hardened to the Truth. (verses 20-21) There may be a burst of emotion after hearing a message, but faith has no roots and can’t withstand affliction or persecution. They are gone.
3. The thorns represent a crowded heart. (verse 22) This heart is occupied by worldly interests, pursuits, desires, and goals. A worrisome and rich oriented heart yields an unfruitful life. 
4. The good soil represents an open heart. (verse23)This person hears the Word, sees the Truth, listens, and understands. It results in faith and obedience with a life of great fruit.  

The good soil represents those saved from the result of their sin through faith. Are we receiving, hearing, and living God’s Word today? 

(Resource: Swindoll’s Living Insights in Matthew)

LET IT GO

Soften our hearts today, Jesus, to Your Truth.

Grow our faith so You receive honor. 

 

Secrets Revealed

N.T.#145 "Secrets Revealed"

Sept. 15, 2023

Matthew 13-Part 2

Jesus told the crowds all these things in parables, and He would not speak anything to them without a parable, do that what was spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled. (verse 34a)

LET IT GLOW

I will open My mouth in parables; 

I will declare things kept secret

from the foundation of the world. (verse 34b; Ps. 78:2)

While speaking to the crowds, Jesus used may stories or parables. These stories compare something familiar to something unfamiliar, helping us understand spiritual truth by using everyday objects and relationships. Not only that, it was a way of concealing the truth from those too stubborn to see it. Each parable has a central meaning unless otherwise specified by Jesus. (Life Application Study Bible)

Jesus began teaching in parables to conceal truth from those who denied Him as much as He wanted to reveal truth to those who desired Him. It required the hearer to listen with an open heart and mind, with Jesus being the interpretive key.  

In the Greek, parable refers to a fictitious narrative (conveying a moral); comparison; proverb. 

LET IT GROW

Can we say that a parable is a story used to explain a spiritual truth? But why did Jesus speak in parables? The disciples asked Him that question in verse 10. Here is His answer:

Because the secrets of the kingdom of heaven have been given to him, and he will have more than enough. But whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. (verses 11-12)

When believers sincerely seek Truth, it will be found. However, unbelievers who reject Jesus, their hardness of heart drives away or renders useless even the little understanding they had. Do we have a willingness to understand? Will we use spiritual discernment, willing to learn, accepting the Holy Spirit's guidance? He who has an ear, let him hear.

LET IT GO 

Teach us Your Truths, Jesus.

Help us to understand.

What a wonderful God You are!

Peace and Quiet

 N.T.#144 "Peace and Quiet"

Sept. 13, 2023

Matthew 13

LET IT GLOW

Some mornings or evenings when it is cool outside, I like to sit on my porch swing and enjoy the outdoors. I hear birds singing, see the trees swaying in the gentle breeze, look at the clouds in the sky, and watch my kittens play with each other. Awe, country life. None like it. Peace and quiet is a rarity now days. 

My apologies everyone, my ankle has been giving me a terrible time. This bone fracture won't let me stay up very long. Then it swells and pains me. Frustration and depression crept in and I am so ashamed.  I hope to do better.

The Pharisees gave Jesus a horrible time in the last chapter. He must have been exhausted. The accused Him of operating by the power of Satan (verse 24) They accused the disciples of harvesting grain on the Sabbath, when they were actually feeding their hungry bellies. (verses 1-7) Healing a man's withered hand, the blind and mute, then there was sending out demons-that would have convinced them of the identity of Jesus as the Messiah. They tried to find flaws in His miracles, setting Jesus up as a sinner. Yet, their cat-and-mouse games failed. People believed in The Christ as the Son of the Living God and Savior. 

Those high-stressed days resulted in Jesus needing a get away to catch His breath. 

That day Jesus went out of the house and was sitting by the sea. (verse 1)

Did Jesus close His eyes and smell the wildflowers' sweet scents? Did He hear the birds chirping praises to their Maker? Were the waves that He created lapping against the shore? Did His lungs take in the fresh air with thankfulness? We don't know how long Jesus was able to rest before it was back to business. His break was over! The crowd gathered along the shore of the Sea of Galilee. They wanted to see this Jesus and hear what He had to say.(verse 2)

Have you had crowds around you when you wanted to be alone? Has the phone seemed to ring off the hook when you needed to sleep or rest?  Bless their hearts, folks texted me to check up on me and let me know they cared about my condition. Since I was able to sleep much at night because of the bruising and pain, I tried to rest in the mornings. Finally, I had to turn my phone off. Then the traffic went by early, the trash collectors and school bus flew by; the cats needed their breakfast and made noises. Needless to say, it has been a trying time for both my husband and for me. 

I understand that Jesus needed some R & R.

LET IT GROW

What did Jesus do? He got into a boat, sat down, and began to teach in parables. The shore there formed a semicircle like a natural theater. Its bowl-shaped landscape provides ideal acoustics, enabling a speaker to be heard by a large crowd assembled on the sloping land. (Cristler)

Therefore, the teacher had to be in the water facing the shore. As the sound of the voice is deflected off the surface of the water, it can be carried to the ears of thousands of listeners on land. That is why Jesus got into a boat, positioning Himself in the center of the semicircle. (Swindoll)

I did not know this, did you? People pay good bucks to attend concerts and this orator was free of charge. 

LET IT GO

Sweet Jesus, open our ears to hear what You have to say to us in Your Word.

Holy Spirit, bless those who read this.

Use us to share Your love today.

Forgive us our failures. 

Priorities in Kingdom Work

 N.T.#143 "Priorities in Kingdom Work"

Sept. 6, 2023

Matthew 12-Part 17

LET IT GLOW

When my husband and children left for college and into the ministry, both our families could not understand it. God called us to leave and cleave unto Him. However, it felt like they deserved us. We continued to visit and call them. Even Christmas programs at church had to take priority over visiting our families. It was hard to do, but very rewarding. Our love for our extended family did not change in our hearts, but they thought it had. Jesus had to make that decision, too.  

In verses 43-45, Jesus gives the Pharisees a parable. He speaks of a man who has an unclean spirit, which comes out of the man, wanders, and decides to return. When the spirit finds its old home swept and cleaned up and put in order (verse 44), it brings along 7 other evil spirits that are more evil than itself. So the man's condition is worse than it was. (verse 45)

Through this story, Jesus is comparing the evil generation that refused to receive Him. The Pharisees had strict religious observances, external legislation and enforcement, rituals and rites. They were law-abiding but unconverted. Their hardened heart was false righteousness. they had committed the unpardonable sin-rejection of the Messiah and blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. 

A person can be a self-righteous moralist and not know Christ as Savior. Without submission to Jesus and the Holy Spirit's presence to fill the void in one's heart, they are simply opening up to greater demonic influence. 

Evil can be conquered through Christ. When evil is put out of a life, something must be put within to take its place. The love of Christ must fill a person's heart and life. Bad habits change, studying the Bible becomes a good habit, worshiping God through faith in Jesus Christ, serving in a church, these are good. It is not enough for a person to get saved, but they must fill their life with spiritual things. 

Are we helping others do that?

LET IT GROW

As Jesus spoke to the crowds, someone informed Him that His mother and brothers wanted to speak with Him. Jesus was involved in kingdom work. John 7:1-5 tells us Jesus' brothers did not believe in Him during His ministry. Maybe they came to take Him home quietly. This gave Jesus the opportunity to explain what true commitment to Him is all about. 

Whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother. (verse 50)

True belonging in the family of God supersedes biological family relations. When we trust in Christ, then we have a new family. It means our obedience as a child of God takes priority. However, we do not ignore our physical family. 

When we trust in Jesus as our personal Savior, we become adopted members of the family of God. (Romans 8:17,29)

Did you notice that Jesus is not ashamed to call us believers His brothers and sisters? (Hebrews 2:11)

LET IT GO

Help us make Your kingdom work a priority in our life.

What Are You Seeking?

 N.T. #142 "What Are You Seeking?" 

Sept. 5, 2023

Matthew 12-Part 16

LET IT GLOW

The Pharisees, religious leaders of the Jews, had a lot of problems. They deliberately rejected Christ and His salvation, blasphemed against the Holy Spirit, had evil in their hearts, and accused Jesus of being empowered by Satan. That is quite a long list that Jesus gave. 

Then in verse 38, they wanted Jesus to give them a sign. What kind of sign-that Jesus was their Messiah, sent from heaven, the Son of God? He had already performed miracles, yet those leaders did not believe nor want to believe Jesus is the Chosen One who's coming the Old Testament spoke about. They failed to see what God was after-faith and love, not signs and works. 

What did Jesus call those Pharisees? An evil and adulterous generation that sought after a sign. (verse 38) It was spiritual adultery they had committed. The Pharisees were being unfaithful to God. they had their own religion, their own rules, their own rituals that seems to make them holy. they did not follow God with their hearts.

Jesus compared Himself to Jonah. Jonah was in the belly of the whale 3 days and 3 nights. so would and did the Son of Man be 3 days and 3 nights in the heart of the earth. Whenever Jonah finally preached repentance to the Ninevites, those heathens/wicked ones repented of their sins. Yet, the Jews would not.

Christ was God's sign to the Jews. His example of love exceeded any that had lived. His miracles no one could perform but God Himself. Jesus Christ was/is God in the flesh.

The resurrection of Christ from the dead would be the crowning demonstration that He is the Son of God. (Tony Evans)

A greater than Jonah is here. (verse 41) 

Will you believe in Jesus as the Savior, the only way to heaven for eternity?  

LET IT GROW

The queen of the south (Queen of Sheba) came to Solomon seeking his wisdom. (1 Kings 10) Jesus called Himself a greater than Solomon is here. (verse 42) He is deity. 

Wasn't the queen seeking to find the secret of life and eternity? Apparently she found it. Even queens must surrender to Jesus Christ in order to go to heaven.

Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice. (verse 9)

The heavenly King had come, was in their presence, working miraculous signs, so the Pharisees were without excuse for not repenting and believing in Him. 

Have you repented of your sins, dear one? Do you believe Jesus is the Savior, they only way to the holy heavenly Father God? 

LET IT GO

Change my heart today, Lord Jesus.

Please forgive my sins.

Use me for Your glory and honor and praise.

Do We Need a Bridle on Our Tongue

N.T. #141 "Do We Need a Bridle on Our Tongue?"

Sept. 4. 2023

Matthew 12-Part 15

For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. (verse 37)

LET IT GLOW

When a horse is bridled, the rider has control of its turns, go and stop. the horse can honor its rider by obeying it or go its own way, disobeying its commands, and have a sore mouth in the process. Aren't we like that horse? We need to control our tongue watching our words. How important is it?

When we open our mouth, we reveal what's deep down inside-whether good or evil. Therefore, we need to watch our mouth. God is tape-recording our words, and we will have to account for every careless one. (verse 36) The way to tame our tongue is to address our heart. And the way to address our heart is to devote it to the King's agenda. (Tony Evans)

According to James 1:26, we need to bridle our tongue. If we don't control it, then our religion is in vain. His religion is false, empty, hypocritical. He deceives his own heart. 

Life and death are in the power of the tongue. (Prov. 18:21)

For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile. (1 Peter 3:10)

Words determine a person's destiny. Our words either justify or condemn us, according to our key verse. We either profess Jesus Christ is our Savior and Lord or we deny Him. 

Are our words honoring Jesus or not? Something to think about.

LET IT GROW

Kind, gracious, loving, edifying, profitable words will testify for us and justify us in the day of judgment.

Ugly, dirty, filthy, angry, spiteful, gossiping, grumbling, murmuring words will testify against us and condemn us in the day of judgment. (The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible)

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. (Romans 14:19)

Let's build up each other, encourage one another, be sensitive to our weaker brothers and sisters. Build up God's work and workers, not tear them down with criticism.

LET IT GO 

Help us listen with two ears, Lord Jesus.

May we become slow to speak.

Cleanse my heart O God, make it ever true, cleanse my heart O God, may I be like You.