Called and Chosen

N.T.#235  "Called and Chosen"

Jan. 31, 2924 

Matthew 20-Part 1

LET IT GLOW

Do you find it hare when we someone getting something they didn't earn or deserve? We think it isn't fair. Do we find ourself playing the comparison game? Are we struggling and grumbling? Maybe we think the person deserves something. Maybe the problem is our situation. We may not feel like we are receiving grace and mercy, generosity and goodness of God. It is not easy to hand over the situation to God and let Him handle it. Are we releasing it to God and relying on Him to do what is right and just? Do we acknowledge His wisdom and sovereignty in giving to His children how, what, and when He sees fit? [Resource: Swindoll's Living Insights on Matthew 16-28]

LET IT GROW

Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. (verses 15-16)

The vineyard owner was keeping his word by doing his part of the agreement giving the amount of wages for all the workers. It was a normal day's wage, sufficient to feed their families. Actually, the owner was being generous to the latter workers who did not deserve their payment. Really, the first workers had no grounds for accusing the owner of the vineyard of any wrongdoing.

In our verses above, called means invited, appointed; chosen means select, favorite.

If we consider this parable not about rewards, but about salvation, we see God's generosity and grace. Many may be called, invited to believe in Jesus for salvation, shortly before they die. Few may be chosen, selected years before death to become a Christian and servant in God's kingdom for a long time. Do we begrudge them heaven?. 

We should not be jealous of what God has given to another person. Instead, we should be thankful for what we have. All of us are sinners saved by grace, outcasts, undeserved for His love and forgiveness. 

LET IT GO 

Help us let go of jealousy, resentment, bad feelings toward others.

Thank You Jesus for loving me and giving me opportunities to serve You.

Help me be a good steward of my time, money, and attitudes.

Fair or Unfair

 N.T.#234 "Fair or Unfair?"

January 30, 2924

Matthew 20

LET IT GLOW 

We are to not let let earthly success, worldly gain, or the lack of to prevent us from sacrifdicing what is necessary to serve the Lord. 

Jesus told a parable about a landowner who hired laborers to work in his vineyard. The group of workers were hired at various times throughout the day. 

• The first group was hired at dawn for a penny (a common day's wage). (verses 1-2) 
• Other laborers, found in the common place of seeking employment, were hired at 9 am, noon, 3 and 5 in the afternoon, and for a wage that is right. (verses 3-4) 
• Then the workers were paid their wages, every man received a penny. (verse 9)

A problem arose when the first hired workers found out they were paid the same as those who did not work as long and in the heat as they had. They felt they had been treated unjustly. However, they knew and agreed to their wage at the beginning. Also, the owner paid them what was promised. He had been fair to them and generous to the others.

Shouldn't the works who worked hard and longer in the vineyard receive 12 times more wage than whose who worked only a twelfth of the day? They grumbled to the landowner. Shouldn't it matter how long the workers worked? How long they agonized in the hot sun?

LET IT GROW

The Jews expected better treatment from God since they were chosen His special people. We Gentiles are shown compassion and grace.

Where do we fit in the parable?

God is both fair and generous to us. We should rejoice when God is gracious toward others and not resent it. 

We need to forget about the haves and have-nots of this world, put our hand to the plow, and continue laboring in God's kingdom. so what if we have been a faithful believer since childhood and some recent convert gets all the glory? That's God's business, not ours. What does it matter if we have been struggling believers and others coast through life? (Swindoll)

For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name. (Hebrews 6:10)

LET IT GO

Help us be faithful and generous with what You have given us, Jesus.

Thank you for Your grace and mercy daily.

Love through us to others.

First or Last

N.T.#233 "First or Last"

Jan. 29, 2024 

Matthew 19-Part 10

But many that are first shall be last: and the last shall be first. (verse 30)

LET IT GLOW

Through the years, when our family gets together, we know who will be first in line to fill their plate with food. It is kind of a joking matter, but we think it is lousy of that person. Jesus touches on the matter of being first.

What a contrast between the little children and the rich young ruler. Children are trusting, honest, moldable. The young ruler wasn't. He was self-sufficient and proud. Obviously, he loved his money and possessions more than God. He thought his good deeds merited him eternal life, when it does not. Faith and obedience pleases God. And then there was Peter, who wondered what the payoff for the disciples' commitment to Jesus was. 

Then Jesus says profoundly our verse above. 

Many who are viewed as successful in this world will be paupers in heaven, while many of the paupers in this world will granted greater authority in the kingdom of God. So don't let earthly success or worldly gain prevent you from sacrificing as necessary to serve the Lord in light of the rewards to be received in the world to come. (Tony Evans)

LET IT GROW 

Jesus turned the world's values upside down. The rich and famous didn't get there by being humble and gentle. Are we willing to experience human disapproval in order to gain eternal rewards later? The next parable explains that we are all valuable and our sacrifices in kingdom work will not go unrewarded.

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men. (Colossians 3:23) 

God is fair. Shouldn't we stop grumbling about our lot in life and let God be God? Do we work for the reward or do we do things because we love God and the person?

LET IT GO 

Serve and love Jesus and others.

Let love abide in us.

Rewards or Regrets

N.T.#232 "Rewards or Regrets"

Jan. 26, 2024 

Matthew 19-Part 9

LET IT GLOW 

In our struggles, do we sometimes wonder if it is worth staying faithful to Jesus? Do we wonder why things don't seem to work out? do we really need to give up everything for a life of discipleship?

The salvation of a rich sinner is just as miraculous as the salvation of a poor sinner. Both are only possible with God. (verse 26) Eternal life can't be earned and can't be bought. It is only through God's grace through faith in Christ alone that one gets salvation. That is what we just learned previously.

Bold Peter jumps in with both feet in mouth at the most ill-timed and selfish motive. He asked what was in it for them. After all, the disciples had left everything, prosperous fishing business, tax booth, medical field, and others, to follow Jesus. What was in store for them, what was the payoff for their commitment to Jesus?

LET IT GROW 

From fishing nets to thrones, I think that is quite the reward! Being able to enter eternal life with Jesus will be enough, I think. Guys, whatever is sacrificed for Jesus will not go unrewarded.

The disciples will be allowed to sit in the throne room of Jesus' glory. They will judge Israel, literally, during the future millennial kingdom. They may have been on the bottom socially and economically in this world, but in the next they will be on top. They will receive a 100 times more what is given up for Jesus.(verses 28-29)

We aren't going to need stuff when we die. We can't take it with us. Which one are we going to be like-the rich young ruler who walked away from Jesus empty or the disciples who stuck with Him and are rewarded?

What will we regret not doing here and now when we get to eternity? Rejecting Jesus as Savior? Not witnessing? Not giving? Not loving? Not forgiving? Or will we have any regrets when we bow before King Jesus?

LET IT GO

What do we need to let go to follow Jesus wholeheartedly?

Help us forfeit temporary benefits for eternal ones.

Keep us in Your will. 

Letting Go

N.T.#231 "Letting Go" 

Jan. 25, 2024 

Matthew 19-Part 8

LET IT GLOW

 The Jews regarded material prosperity as a mark of divine favor, possessing riches as a kind of virtue, so it is not surprising that the rich young ruler was astonished that he lacked what it took for him to go to heaven. Here the guy was standing in front of the One perfect man and he claims to have kept all the Commandments. Really guy? What was his problem? Doing the right good deeds and avoiding certain sins did not meet the requirement. He might as well have thrown away his check list of good deeds. It was the man's source of pride, power, self-confidence in his riches and sins that blocked his way on the right path of righteousness. He was clinging to those possessions and money, not able to let go of them in order to love his poor neighbor. Maybe it was his social position that he was unwilling to part with.

The guy should have admitted to being a sinner in need of salvation in Jesus Christ. He needed God's mercy. but he couldn't do it and walked away grieved, on the wrong path. Had he tried to talk his way into heaven? He thought he was only 1 good deed away from the kingdom of heaven, but it was out of his reach. He wasn't willing to totally sacrifice and completely surrender all.

Which path are we on today? Are we walking by faith in Jesus, following Him or living for self on the wrong worldly path? We have to do it all God's way. It only take mustard seed sized faith.

LET IT GROW

 What did Jesus tell His disciples? Verse 23 tells us: 

• A rich man can hardly enter the kingdom of God. Hardly means impracticably (incapable of being performed). The rich are often trust in and are attached in their wealth. Their thoughts are consumed by worldly treasures.
• It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needly than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. We know it is impossible to squeeze a large camel through the eye of a tiny needle. We can't strip ourself of our pride and work our way to heaven.
• Who can be saved? It is impossible for men to do it on their own, Salvation is impossible by human effort. It is God's grace through faith in Jesus that provides salvation. With God all things are possible. (verse 26)

Eternal life can't be earned and can't be bought. It can only be received by grace alone through faith in Christ alone. (Eph. 2:8-9) A rich person and a poor person both must humble themself to come to a perfect God. We are told to lay up treasures in heaven that cannot be destroyed, stolen, or lost. (6:20) Disciples of Jesus are not to pursue the things that unbelievers treasure. Doing so will keep them from getting their full rewards. Yet, if we give all our goods to feed the poor, and have not love, then it profits us nothing. 

No one will be declared righteous in (God's) sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. (Romans 3:20)

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

LET IT GO

Help us let go of the worldly things and cling to You, Jesus.

May we let go of what is keeping us from surrendering all to You.

In Christ alone is my hope and life.

Eternal Life

 N.T.#230 "Eternal Life"

Jan. 24, 2024 

Matthew 19-Part 7

LET IT GLOW

Has money and wealth become our focus in our life? Jesus had just taught that we all need childlike faith, simple faith, to trust in Jesus as our Savior. Here came a young, rich ruler asking Jesus how he could obtain eternal life. Let's see how the conversation goes.

• First, the young man addressed Jesus as "Good Master." He wasn't recognizing Christ as deity, but as a righteous teacher from God who apparently has eternal life and might know how he could get it.
• Jesus wasn't disclaiming His own deity, but teaching the young man that all but God are sinners.
• The guy's problem was his reluctance to confess his own utter spiritual bankruptcy. 
• If he wanted to enter into life, the man must keep the high standards of God, but he could not keep the laws. The Ten Commandments show us our sins, thus we can't keep them every day.
• Salvation isn't by our own merits. The man asked which Commandment he was required to keep.
• Jesus knew what the guy was lacking-love for his neighbor above himself. Jesus gave those dealing with human relationships. (verses18-19)
• The young man said he had kept all those laws. what did he lack? 

We can credit the guy with living a moral lfe and being well versed in Scripture and the laws of God. Did he know about God but not have love for Him in his heart? This self-righteous young man had a problem, didn't he? He would not admit to his own sin. Love and obedience supersede all. We love God and want to please Him. This guy loved himself more than his neighbors. He was rich, remember? His money stood between him and Jesus. We are sinners in need of a Savior. Is there anything that stand between us and Jesus? 

[Resource: Life Application Study Bible]

LET IT GROW

The guy asked, so Jesus told him the solution to his problem-go, sell, give to the poor. Then follow Jesus. That would result in his treasure in heaven. However, the rich young ruler couldn't do it. His love of his possessions was a stumbling block, so he rejected Jesus' lordship over his life. He walked away in unbelief. How sad. 

Is Jesus requiring you to give up something in order to faithfully and fully follow Him? Are we willing to give up anything if God asks us to do so. Are we allowing anything to come between us and our God? We may not be asked to sell all and follow Jesus, but it is our attitude toward our money and possessions that can hinder us in total surrender.

Whatever the Lord speaks to us, it will require and adjustment in our life. What good is it to read the Word and not apply it to our life? Don't be sorrowful like the rich young ruler and turn away from Jesus. What blessings you will miss out on. What joy in serving Jesus you will not experience,. What love will be passed by you. 

LET IT GO

May Help us love and serve You Father with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Bless Your faithful children today.

Keep us in Your will.

Do You Have Child-like Faith?

 N.T.#228 "Do You Have Childe-like Faith?"

January 23, 2024 

Matthew 19-Part 6

LET IT GLOW

Sunday I was blessed to lead children's church. We have preschoolers in the class. How refreshing and inspiring it was to see them singing, listening to a Bible story, and sharing about their life. Jesus loves the little children. We adults could learn from their trusting ways. 

In verses 13-15, we see into the heart of Jesus. Our Savior did not need His disciples to be his body guards or bouncers. Jesus was approachable, available, and accessible to everyone. He touched every kind of person-young and old, poor and rich, sick and healthy, corrupt and honest, harsh and courteous, hateful and loving, humble and proud, the devoted follower and the cruel critic. There was no need for an appointment, invitation, or special permission to speak with Jesus. The most important man who ever walked the face of the earth took time for people. His compassion was evident in these verses.

A group of parents brough their little children to Jesus for a blessing and a prayer. However, the disciples did not want to be bothered with the youngsters. They rebuked (forbid; censure or admonish0  the group. Probably they were trying to send them away.

How did Jesus respond to the situation?

• He told the disciples to suffer (to send; remit; let alone) the little children. 
• Forbid (prevent (by word or act; keep from) them not to come unto Him.
• For the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are like these children.
•  Then Jesus laid His hands on their head and blessed the children before He left.

Oo, Jesus rebuked the disciples. Anyone could bother Him. I wonder how many children He has touched through the ages. Child-like faith to trust in Jesus is what we need to be saved and a child of the King. Don't we all need that kind of faith?

Jesus loves the children. He died for them, too. Do we witness to children of Jesus' saving grace and love?

LET IT GROW

Adults could do well to observe the simple faith of children. Their simplicity, openness, honesty, and wonder perfectly illustrates the kind of person we all need to be. Children have no agenda, reluctance, pretenses, no self-consciousness. They can praise the Savior and believe in Him so much easier than adults. Spend time with those with runny noses, unpleasant odors, toothless smiles, and silly questions. It won't be wasted. (Swindoll)

Adults let pride and stubbornness get in their way to Jesus. Neediness is so important. Have you asked Jesus to forgive your sins and be Your Savior? 

LET IT GO

Help us receive little children, pray for them, show Your love to them, Jesus.

May we care for and protect God's children.

Thank Yo for allowing us to become children of God.