God is Good - Be Reconciled to God

Here's my message from tonight:

Hi friends, my name is Keith and I’m a born-again Christian, and I’d like to share the Gospel with you this evening.   Gospel is an old Bible word that means Good News.   It’s good news about how to go to heaven when you die.   It’s a message of reconciliation; in other words, it’s about how to be made right with God.  The Bible says we’re all alienated and estranged from God because of sin.   We're separated from God because of sin.  The message of the Bible’s has been described as a love story… The greatest break-up-and-get-back together again love story the world has ever known.   The message of the Bible is that even though we're ungodly and unholy, God demonstrated His love for us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.”

I know when I say the word “sin”, or “sinner”, you might react by turning me off, tuning me out and ignoring me; or the hair on the back of your neck might bristle and your teeth might grit and your fist might clench.   But I’m willing to take that chance, to be able to share this great news with you. I'm willing to risk it because I care about you enough warn you about the grave peril you're in.

I really want to focus on the message of reconciliation for now.  

2 Corinthians 5:19 that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation

That is the good news; the Gospel again is how we can have eternal life when we die.   It's a message of God’s goodness.   The Bible says a lot about how immensely, wonderfully good God is and what he did to demonstrate His goodness.   I’ve heard a lot of people say that all you have to do to go to heaven is believe, sincerely, and you will be accepted by God; he’ll just overlook your sins; if you say sorry or something.    When people say that kinda thing, they’re depending on God’s goodness.     But it's a misunderstanding of God’s goodness, because God's goodness comes with absolute justice, righteousness and holiness. God is so pure He cannot dwell with sin or even look upon sin.

Then there are some who believe, that you shouldn’t believe.   My Atheist friends believe that believing in God is a ‘bad’ thing.   But do you hear the contradiction in that statement?  Their slogan is “Just be good for goodness sake”.   How will that pan out in the end though, when that statement is based on a false presupposition?   The Bible says that there is none good but God alone.  It says there is none righteous, no not one, there is no one who seeks after God, everyone has gone astray, each one to his own way.   The Bible says there is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof is the way of death.

Then there are some who say “all religions lead to God”.    That statement is partially true; Every person from every religion will stand before God and give an account of their life on Judgement Day.   But not all religions are true.   They can’t be, because they contradict each other.   Jesus claimed to be the only way to God.   He claimed to be the embodiment of truth and the giver of life.  The Bible says there is salvation in no one else, for no other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved.

So I want to talk about this man named Jesus. Everything he taught and everything He said was with authority.   He made some astonishing claims;

• He claimed to be God in the flesh.   
• He claimed to have stepped into time from eternity.
• He claimed to have the authority to forgive sins.   
• He claimed to be the fulfillment of all the laws and rules and morals in the Bible.   
• He claimed to be the Judge of all mankind, before whom every person from all of history would have to stand and give an account of their life on Judgement Day.

Those would have been audacious claims, except Jesus life and his actions backed them up, so I want to take a moment and look at just how unique Jesus Christ is, among the whole of mankind.   He stands out, head-and-shoulders above any other person who's ever lived in all of history.   His birth, His life, His death and what followed his death were extraordinary.   He did some remarkable things; weird, strange, miraculous things.   To begin with, His very conception was without sexual involvement.  He was conceived in the womb of his mom by the Holy Spirit.   Ok, he was born of a virgin.   His life was exceptional; never in history has there been anyone who did the things Jesus Christ did.   The Bible says he went around doing good.  It’s not just that he went around doing some good things; it’s that he only, always did good things.   Everything he did was good.  

• He fed the hungry.  
• He gave sight to the blind.  
• He made the severely disabled to walk.   
• He healed people with various diseases.
• He gave the deaf their hearing.   
• He brought dead people back to life.
• He freed people who were being held captive to demonic spiritual possession.
• He preached the good news preached to the poor.
• He was completely morally pure. He was righteous, sinless, innocent.  He never even so much as told a lie, the Bible says.   
• He walked on water.
• and He commanded a storm to stop and it ceased.

Mark 7:37
People were astonished, beyond measure and said, He has done all things well: he made both the deaf to hear, and the mute to speak.

I can tell you how great things the Lord has done for me, and how he had compassion on me.

Knowing all that about Jesus life, you’d think he would have been accepted by his own people, but no.   He was rejected by his own countrymen.   Jesus was opposed by the religious folks of his day.  And He was hated by the governing authorities; all because of ENVY.  It was because of his claims that he was taken and killed.   They took him away on trumped up charges.  They mocked him, spit on him and beat his back bloody.   The hit him in the face so hard and so many times that he was literally unrecognizable as a man.   They shoved a crown of thorns on His head.   But they weren’t done with him, the took him and nailed his hands and feet to a wooden Roman cross, where he bled and died a horrible death.   After he died, they buried him in a tomb, and rolled a huge stone over the entrance to the tomb.

FREEZE FRAME: you remember I told you I was going to talk about that thing called sin.   I want to explain why Jesus was crucified.   I'm going to make it very personal, but I’m not going to  bawl you out.   I'm not not here to scold you, but I want you to examine yourself, and understand what Jesus did for you when He died on that cross, because of this one, simple fact ; God is good, and you and I are not. God is perfectly good, and we aren't.  Now like I said, I'm not here to brow beat you, but I'll let you judge yourself for yourself.

The Law…

The Gospel…

The Response…

The New Birth…

Mark 7

21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

Luke 16:15 , “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

Numbers 32:23 you have sinned against the LORD, and be sure your sin will find you out.

Romans 5:9 we shall be saved from God's wrath and anger because we are declared innocent because of that bloody death on the cross. 10 For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son,how much more, since we're reconciled, shall we be saved by His life.

2 Corinthians 5:20… be reconciled to God.

Ephesians 2:12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

Exodus 33:18-23 KJV
... and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. [20] But we can not see the Lord’s face: for there shall no man see Him, and live..

Exodus 34:6-7 KJV
...The Lord , The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, [7] Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty ; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation .

Psalm 25:1-9 KJV
Unto thee, O Lord , do I lift up my soul. [2] O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. [3] Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause. [4] Shew me thy ways, O Lord ; teach me thy paths. [5] Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. [6] Remember, O Lord , thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old. [7] Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O Lord . [8] Good and upright is the Lord : therefore will he teach sinners in the way. [9] The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.

Romans 2:4-8 KJV
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? [5] But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; [6] Who will render to every man according to his deeds: [7] To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: [8] But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

Romans 5:6-10 KJV
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. [7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. [8] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. [9] Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. [10] For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Romans 11:22 KJV
Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

Colossians 1:19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith,

Matthew 5 - Salt and Light

The Kingdom of Heaven

Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
I've had more than one person say to me, "I'm spiritual...", yet they don't recognize their spiritual poverty without Christ. How can anyone expect to be in the kingdom without the King?

Here’s what Jesus says about that; “Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.”

The Salt of the Earth

Matthew 5:13
You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.

I think most Christians have a pretty good grasp of what Jesus first statement means; (salt was used for lots of purposes in Jesus’ day: an antiseptic, baking bread, seasoning food, and preserving food)

Medicinally: reduces bacterial growth. Purifying, cleansing

Baking: Salt plays a role in tightening the gluten structure and adding strength to your dough. It helps the loaf to hold on to the carbon dioxide gas that is formed during fermentation, supporting good volume. Salt slows down fermentation and enzyme activity in dough.

Seasoning: it not only adds its own flavor, but it brings out the food’s flavor.

Preservative: draws out the water from the meat, so bacteria can't grow.

Thirst Stimulant: give it to dairy cows so they drink more water and produce more milk.

“If you lose your flavor…”, How can salt lose its flavor? It can't, but it can be changed by chemical reaction, it can be combined with other elements or it can be broken down into its constituent parts of sodium and chlorine.  Or it can become so diluted (so watered down) that it's tasteless.  He is saying we can lose our effectiveness for the kingdom of heaven.  If you're a Christian, but you no longer have any effect or impact on the world around you because of some moral compromise or apathy, how can your effectiveness be restored? It can't. Is Jesus saying we can lose our salvation? NO. But we can take ourselves out of the game so to speak.  So I don't believe this is an metaphor for salvation, but a metaphor for effectiveness and impact of our earthly outreach.

The Light of the World, A City Set on a Hill

Matt 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

No need to explain in detail the meaning of the light metaphor.  The “light of the world”, metaphor is a similar to the “salt of the earth” metaphor.

Light’s effects are

To illuminate

To cause growth.

The kingdom of heaven’s purpose on earth is to reveal and implement God’s purpose and plan in the world. The real question here is, are we, as “the church”, fulfilling this calling? Another thing light does, is wake us up. Are we doing anything to wake up a sleeping world?

The “city” was a place of refuge. Providing protection from thieves. Providing law and order to conduct life. The kingdom of heaven is supposed to offer those types of benefits to the world. Do we shine God’s law on the world like a spotlight?   along the same lines, a city (with it’s lights at night would be a means of navigation on land, much like a lighthouse would be at sea).

The opportunities to do good works (one type of “good work” is outreach for the kingdom), are all around us. We don't have to travel to a third world country to meet the needy, sick, homeless/helpless people.  Although we should go out from our Jerusalem to ‘Judea’ and Samaria and to the “uttermost parts of the earth “.  1 Timothy 6:18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;   The goal of good works is to bring glory, honor and praise to our Father in heaven, that the King’s kingdom would grow/spread/expand. The contrast/difference between the kingdom of heaven and the world ought to be evident; so evident that people easily notice it. Sadly, the only difference between many so-called Christians and the world, is that they are busy on Sunday morning.

A Lamp under a Bushel

Matthew 5:15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

A lamp under a bushel, is something totally contrary to the way a lamp is to be used.   It’s purpose is to light up a room, and who would come up with the ‘bright’ idea to put a lit lamp under a basket.  That’s dumb, and so it’s dumb to think that we ought to be “secret-agent” christians.

Linley and Arianna

While downstairs watching a cheesy Christian movie "No Lost Cause", I heard a couple of car doors slam and I grudgingly got up to see what was going on outside.   I went out onto the front porch, and looked around the corner of the house to see a couple of people standing on the sidewalk, next to a Lexus parked on the hill next to our house.

I took a moment to consider what I ought to do, and I realized I should grab some tracts and go see if the kids would still be out there by the time I got there.   I did and they were.   I'm always afraid that the kids will leave when they see me walking up, but they didn't high-tail it, like has happened a few times before.   As I got nearer, I saw (and smelled) the girls smoking cigarettes. 

I gave them million dollar bill Gospel tracts and asked them if I could share the Gospel with them.  They both politely said no thank you.  They said they didn't believe in God, and their families were Christians and went to church (they mentioned a local church), but their families recognized their non-belief, and just kind of left them alone, when it came to that stuff.

I said, well, maybe I might say something that could change that.   They both kind of shrugged, and so I continued on to share the Law and the Gospel with them.   They were both pretty engaged, and participated in the conversation.  I urged them to consider what I'd told them, and to put their trust in Jesus Christ as their savior.

Please pray for Linley and Arianna.

The MILLION DOLLAR question: Are you good enough to go to Heaven? Answer honestly: Have you ever lied, stolen (regardless of value), or looked with lust? Jesus said "whosoever looks at a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." Guilt results in an eternal Hell because God is Holy. Imagine a man in a courtroom; a criminal guilty of serious crimes. He is tried, convicted, and sentenced to life or a fine of a MILLION DOLLARS. when the judge steps down and pays his fine! Even though he's still guilty, his fine has been paid and justice has been satisfied! The judge was both merciful and just. This is what Jesus did for sinners. While fully God and fully man, Jesus lived a sinless life. In love He took the wrath of God and penalty for sin on Himself on the Cross. Then He rose from the grave, showing the penalty paid. What should you do? God commands you to repent and trust in Jesus ALONE. Don't trust in "good works.? Cry out to God for mercy and put your faith in Jesus, confessing and forsaking sins. God will change your heart so you will desire Holiness. Make peace with God today; you may not have tomorrow. Eternity is worth much more than a MILLION DOLLARS!

God bless...

Lil Wayne Christmas

The prayers of many saints went up to God on my behalf yesterday.  Lil Wayne was at the Dope Music Festival at Xfinity arena.   Doors were to open at 6, but the 'artists' were not ready so, the doors did not open till 7, which gave me plenty of time to preach at each of the three entrances. God was glorified in the distribution of over 400 gospel tracts between Thomas Sapp and myself. The Christmas gospel was preached 4 times to several hundred concert goers. There were some good encounters with hecklers.  All of that and a guy came up to me and I thought he was giving me a fist bump; instead he took my hand and put two $5s and a $10 roll of quarters. That is a first. Thanks to God for His indescribable gift!

God bless...

The Whole Truth About Christmas

Merry Christmas!  Happy Hanukkah. A joyous Kwanzaa to you my friends.   My name is Keith and I’m a born-again Christian, and I’d like to share the Gospel message with you while you wait this evening.   ‘Gospel’, it’s an old Bible word that means good news.   Christmas is good news.   The Christmas story is good news, it is the Gospel in a nutshell.

Now I fully understand that Christmas may not be “The Most Wonderful Time of The Year” for everyone.   It’s difficult for those less fortunate.  Or, if you’re separated from loved ones, it’s gotta be painful.  Maybe you’re not a Christian; you don't celebrate Christmas and you’re not interested in Christmas.  I understand.   As for me though, I have only good memories of Christmas.   I’ve always enjoyed Christmas.  The Christmas decorations, the Christmas lights, Christmas cards, singing Christmas carols, giving Christmas gifts, and having Christmas get-togethers with family; and oh yeah Christmas dinner.

But, if you didn’t already know this, there are Christians who don't celebrate Christmas. They don't have anything to do with Christmas, and if you say merry Christmas to them, they will be offended.   I completely understand.  I can see how they come to that conclusion.   First of all, no one knows Jesus birth date. I mean we know He was born, and we know it was roughly 2015 years ago, but no  month and day was given in the Bible, and there’s no external historical record of His birth date.   So why December 25th? Let me give you a few bullet points about  the history behind ‘CHRISTMAS’:

• In AD 336, that’s 336 years after Jesus was born, the Roman Emperor Constantine proposed December 25th.
• A few years after that, Pope Julius I officially declared December 25th be ‘Christmas’.   Christmas just means celebration of Christ.
• Here’s why they chose December 25th out of every other day of the year.   The ancient Romans celebrated their pagan midwinter festival called 'Saturnalia' during the Winter Solstice on December 25th.  So they just replaced Saturnalia - that's to the god Saturn, with Christmas.  That’s horrible.   Mixing pagan traditions with Christianity.  But it’s actually happened a lot.  Even the tradition of the Christmas tree itself was adopted from pagan practices, which Bible specifically speaks against in Jeremiah chapter 10. It says, “Do not learn the ways of the nations..., 3 For the practices of the people are worthless; they cut a tree down from the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel. 4 They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter.   So, a pagan holiday was adopted by the Catholic church wrapped up in Christian terms, just like Halloween and Easter for that matter.  Only a Pope would have the audacity to declare Christ’s birth date, without any knowledge of when it was.   Please don’t lump me in with the Catholic church.   The teachings of the Catholic church are at odds with the Bible.   The teachings, and beliefs of Catholicism are contrary to the Bible.  The Catholic mass is blasphemous; They believe Jesus is re-sacrificed every time they celebrate the mass. As a religious system, Catholicism produces not only pediphilic priests, but also pompous, self-righteous, hypocritical, money-grabbers.   Just like every other man-made religious system.   The very best I can say about Catholicism is it is a ‘Christian influenced’ religion, but it is not Biblical Christianity.

Let’s be honest, Christmas fosters materialistism.  Christmas gone wrong brings out the greed and selfishness in kids.   Christmas has been so commercialized  that the Christmas advertising starts even before Thanksgiving.   And shame on parents for lying to their kids and telling them Santa Claus will bring them gifts, if they’re good little boys and girls.   All that worldly filth goes against the true meaning of Christmas; the Birth of Jesus Christ; God giving the gift of His Son to be the Savior of the world.  It’s better to give than to receive, the Bible says.  

Believe it or not though, I don’t have an axe to grind against Christmas.  Really, I’m not against Christmas per se.   I’m not willing to throw out the baby with the bathwater, but I am a messenger of truth, so I want you to be aware of the truth about Christmas.   Jesus said, “I am the way the truth and the life, and no one comes to God the Father, except through Me.”   John 8:31-32  Jesus said, If you continue in my words, you are my disciples indeed; 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Listen, this is the truth of Christ’s birth from God’s Word, the Bible.  The Bible is the truth. In fact it’s the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so helped by God.

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and you shall call his name Immanuel

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Micah 5:2 But you, O Bethlehem in Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose goings forth is from of old, from everlasting.

Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
    and they shall call his name Immanuel”

(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

Matthew 2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
    are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
    who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:
18 “A voice was heard in Ramah,
    weeping and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
    she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”

19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead.” 21 And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. 23 And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled: “He shall be called a Nazarene.”

Luke 1:26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Luke 2:1-21 1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

John 1:1-14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] The same was in the beginning with God. [3] All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. [4] In him was life; and the life was the light of men. [5] And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. [6] There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. [7] The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. [8] He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. [9] That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. [10] He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. [11] He came unto his own, and his own received him not. [12] But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: [13] Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. [14] And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been carried out in God.”

Romans 3:22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Ephesians 2:4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Micah 7:18 Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity
    and passing over transgression
    for the remnant of his inheritance?
He does not retain his anger forever,
    because he delights in steadfast love.
19 He will again have compassion on us;
    he will tread our iniquities under foot.
You will cast all our sins
    into the depths of the sea.
20 You will show faithfulness to Jacob
    and steadfast love to Abraham,
as you have sworn to our fathers
    from the days of old.

Galatians 4:4-5 KJV
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, [5] To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

2 Corinthians 9:15 KJV
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift

2 Corinthians 8:9 KJV
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich

2 Corinthians 4:6 KJV
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Romans 13:8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Ideas for a dope Christmas

1. Receive the gift of eternal life by humbling yourself before God and putting your faith and trust and hope in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior
2. Be converted and become like children this Christmas season, receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save your souls
3. Clothe yourself in the righteousness of Jesus Christ
4. Be transferred out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of his glorious light
5. Be born again according to his great mercy to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
6. Repent and be converted that your sins may be blotted out and times of refreshing would come from the presence of the Lord
   

Thanks you God for Your unspeakable, indescribable gift!

II Corinthians 9:15

Four "Except" or "Unless" Gospel Statements of Jesus

You remember the acronym WWJD?   Bracelets, tee shirts, jewelry that said, “What Would Jesus Do?”   I’m going to use the acronym WDJS; in other words, “What Did Jesus Say?”   He said a lot, in fact every word in the Bible is His, even those not be in red, they’re all His words.     2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God (literally ‘God-Breathed’ θεόπνευστος theopneustos), and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect , thoroughly furnished unto every good work.”

We’re going to look at four passages of Jesus' words, from the Gospels of Matthew, Luke and John.   I’m being very picky here.   I’m cherry picking four passages where Jesus makes an “unless” or “except” statement.   

I need to make one disclaimer here before we start; if you hear me say I had this idea, or I came up with this; you better give me a long hard glare… If I say something like that, you really need to challenge me on it; I would deserve a raspberry,  because I don’t remember the last time I had an original idea, and what I’m going to share today isn’t original with me either.   Ultimately, every good idea comes from God anyways, right? James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift comes from above, from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variableness or shadow of changing.

Unless Statement # 1

Matthew 5:17-22  “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire

So Jesus is saying is that the words that come out of your mouth can equate with an action such as murder.  Jesus said, “every idle word that a man speaks, he will be made to give an account of on the day of Judgement.”   Not only our words, but even our thoughts, and the desires of our heart can be unlawful.   Later, Jesus says, you have heard it said by them of old, you shall not commit adultery, but I say to you that whoever looks at a woman with lust, has committed adultery already with her, in his heart.

The Pharisees pride was in how well they knew and kept the law. The scribes were keepers of the text of the law; they were the copyists.  And Jesus magnifies the Law to them.   He elevates the commandment.   He raises the bar.  What he’s saying to them is this; “So, if you really think you’re going to be good enough to earn heaven, try to keep these”.   Even beyond the letter of the law, He exposes the spirit of the law; it’s not just what you do, it’s what you say, even what you think.   The law is a matter of the heart.   Jesus shines the spotlight on their hearts (and ours too) by what He says.   I had the occasion recently to see my own heart; I viewed my heart on an Angiogram -- It’s an X Ray-based medical imaging modality.   Your heart is displayed up on a computer screen that gives a real-time look at your heart.  You can see it beating.   When they inject this dye into your blood, you can see the blood vessels.   My heart was plugged.   It was polluted.   My heart was not right and the doctors could see right where the trouble was.  Jeremiah 17:9-10 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? 10 I the LORD search the heart,...  to give every man according to his deeds, and according to the fruit of his actions. It says God’s will judge secrets of men’s hearts. It says God has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in Righteousness. I don't know about you, but the thought of having a DVD of my innermost thoughts shown up on a screen, for everyone to see, horrifies me. I don't say this to cause despair or condemnation, but that you would cling to the Savior.   Matthew 5:6 Blessed are you who hunger and thirst after righteousness: for you will be filled.   Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.   Romans 3:22 We can have “the righteousness of God which is by faith in Jesus Christ ...to all who believe” Romans 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfil its lusts.   The way that God accomplished this is when Jesus was on the cross, He said “It is finished”, the debt to sin that you and I owed, has been paid in full through Jesus death.  2 Cor 5:21 For he has made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Unless Statement #2

Matthew 18:1-6 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Jesus is stressing that we must come to God in a child-like way.   Not childish, but child-like.  Kids are unassuming, dependent, humble.   The Bible says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”  So if you want a straight-arm from God, try to come to Him in pride and self-righteousness; see how that works for you.  Another big, important thing is that God is pro-child.   He loves kids.   If someone offends a kid, harms a kid, neglects a kid; God is not happy about that.   You can apply that to whatever social issue or hot-button news story you want, but God is not happy when kids are harmed.

Unless Statement #3

Luke 13:1-5 There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

if we think we're better than some other group of people because of what has happened to us or what hasn’t happened to us, or we've done or haven’t done, we need to rethink that.  As Christians, if we think we’re better than those sinners, those heathens, bunch a losers; we’re dead wrong.  We’re no better than anyone else.  We’re way better off, but no better than anyone else.   Ephesians 2:8-9 It's only by God's grace that we’re saved through faith, and that is not of ourselves, it is a gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.   Romans 5:8 God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.    Titus 3:5 It’s not by works of righteousness that we have done, but according to His mercy He has saved us.  By the washing of regeneration and the renewing of His Holy Spirit.   Romans 3:10 There is none righteous, no not one. Romans 14:23 Anything not done in faith is sin, the Bible says.  Isaiah 64:6 Our righteousness deeds (outside of Christ) are as filthy rags in God’s sight.   Not only those sinners need to repent, but we Christians, when we fail, when we fall, stumble or dive into sin, we need to repent. Our lives ought to be characterized as lives of repentance.   1 John 1:9 if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  Just by way of reminder, I think it’s worth repeating, what repentance is.  It’s not just saying you’re sorry.   It’s saying sorry and turning away from sin, to God for mercy.   It’s the idea of 180 degree turn.   My wife taught me the meaning of repentance; it’s a heartfelt “I’m sorry, I was wrong, you’re right, I won’t do it again, please forgive me.”

Unless Statement #4

John 3:1-8 w there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Jesus said “you must be born again and unless you are born again, you cannot see the kingdom of God”.   That's the good news, the Gospel.  Why, why is that good news?   It’s good news because Jesus didn’t say, unless you’re a good person, you cannot see the kingdom of God.  If He’d said that we'd have all been disqualified.   So what does it mean to be born again, well, let’s start with Jesus’ explanation, from the text; being born again, means born of the Spirit, born from above.  When you were born into this world, you were born alive physically, but dead spiritually.   Ephesians 2:1 And you He has made alive, who were dead in your trespasses and sins; when you repented and trusted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, the Holy spirit took up residence in your life and brought you to life spiritually.  That's a radical change.  Another way to think about it that's no less radical, is to relate it to when your mom gave birth to you.  Think about when you were born, you didn’t have anything to do with it, you were just there and you were ready to come out.   Your mom did all the work.   It is the same with being born again.   God did all the work by giving his only begotten Son.  God’s love is expressed in the giving of His Son for us.   Now since we have God's Spirit in our life, the Law goes from Commandments on stone tablets to fulfilled promises written on our hearts. Ezekiel 36:26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.   2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.  Galatians 5:16 ...Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfil the lust of the flesh.   So let's walk in the newness of life by the Spirit.

By way of recap:

1. Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven. So, clothe yourself in the righteousness of Christ.
2. Unless you’re converted and become like a little child you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven. So, humble yourself therefore under the mighty hand of God and he will lift you up in due time.
3. Unless you repent you will perish. Repent therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out and times of refreshing would come from the presence of the Lord.
4. Unless you’re born again you cannot see the kingdom of God. Be born again 1 Peter 1:3 According to his great mercy, ... to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

As I draw this to a conclusion, it really needs to be noted, that the Lord Jesus Christ is laying out an ultimatum for humanity.   The phrase “unless you do this or that you won’t enter the kingdom of heaven” is an ultimatum, no matter how you look at it.   But it’s a little different than the way we normally give an ultimatum.   We usually say, “if you do this, then you’re gonna get a knuckle sandwich.”   Our ultimatums are usually given as a warning, and God, to a certain degree, does the same by sending John the Baptist, saying, “Flee from the wrath that is to come”.   But the ultimatum from Jesus is to stop resisting Him and come to him for mercy, and receive His grace.   Jesus says “be ye reconciled to God.”

So the only reason for any of this is that we, by our lives, serve our King and give Him the glory.   Jude 24 Now to him who is able to keep us from falling and to present us faultless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, both now and forever. Amen.

Oh PETA! You are more valuable to God than any animal

The Barnum & Bailey Circus was at the Xfinity arena again, which means PETA was there, signs in hand, shouting at circus-goers; "shame on you for going in there, to be 'entertained' by those poor elephants and animals".

It is true, that God cares about animals.   They are valuable to Him, but YOU, my friends are even more valuable.

Matthew 10:28-31 speaks to this very thing: 28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.  29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.  30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Responses I got last night were, for the most part, very encouraging:

"We need you here"

"God bless you"

"Amen"

Thumbs up.

Smiles

Initially, I could have gotten discouraged though.   When I walked up, I saw an usher-type arena employee walking toward me.   I said, "Hi, I'm handing out these Gospel tracts".   She said, "I'm not a Christian, please leave."

When I started preaching, a  man was standing right in front of me, with his son.   The man gently put his arm around his son, and turned his son around, toward me; facing me, and they both stood there listening intently for my entire message.

HALLELUJAH!

God bless...