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Matthew 23:1-5 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, (2) Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: (3) All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. (4) For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. (5) But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, (KJV)
What we see going on here in Matthew 23 is quite similar to what still takes place today. We have people that have exalted themselves to positions of authority within the Church, or what they envision a church to be. And we see those that are more concerned with outward appearances and pleasing people rather than building up the people; they are just building up their own egos. With many of these people they preach messages and tell people how they should be living a godly life of laying down their lives for the brethren; basically all the things they themselves are not willing to do. Although they are quiet adept at pointing out the faults and shortcomings of others, all the while at the same time they have a closet full of skeletons they think they are hiding. Matthew 23:6-12 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, (7) And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. (8) But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. (9) And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. (10) Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. (11) But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. (12) And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. (KJV) You don’t need a title or mans’ approval to share the gospel or live a godly life. You are the written epistle known and read of all men. So don’t wait around for some title of man before you get out into the field which the Lord said is already ripe for harvest. The church of God is not just limited to some building or some group of believers that are under the authority and rule of someone with mans’ title of ordination. After all who would have been more qualified for this title himself but our Lord and He didn’t take it, so why do others? Masters, Rabbi, all refer to honor, respect, or revered, which if it isn’t coming from our Lord then it’s a waste of time. In fact if you are seeking approval from man anyway, then you are already headed in the wrong direction. The Bible is very specific to point out that if they hated our Lord then they would hate those that imitate Him also. The Lord was trying to put a stop to this stuff long ago so that mankind wouldn’t be looking up to people and putting them on pedestals, but rather that those in position of authority would be more of a servant than expecting to be served. Respect, honor or approval is something that we should be seeking from our Father above, and not lowering ourselves to the standard of man. John 5:41-44 I receive not honour from men. (42) But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. (43) I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. (44) How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only? (KJV) Many limit God and their calling because they don’t have a title to back them up. Then you have those that base their foundation on the fact that they have a title from man and therefore they must be legit. The Lord Himself knew His calling and didn’t wait around for mans’ approval to fulfill His calling. Thank God He didn’t, otherwise we would still be waiting for a savior to bring a plan of reconciliation to mankind. In fact He instructs us just the opposite; mans’ titles are subject to man’s rules which will limit you from doing what He is asking. Ephesians 4:11-12 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (KJV) Those that are answering their heavenly call know their place in the body of Christ and will do all things decently and in order. They don’t need a t-shirt or a neon sign that says they are an apostle or prophet, but know their place and calling in the body and carry it out in humility, serving and building up the saints instead of trying to build themselves up. Remember people, a church is not a building, it is the people that are the Church; like the Lord Himself said, ‘where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them’. So quit looking to outward things or titles of man to seek your approval or win the congregation over, but teach sound doctrine that will edify them in Christ. 1 Timothy 3:1-5 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. (2) A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; (3) Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; (4) One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (5) (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) (KJV) Here’s a test for you, how well do you run your own home? If your own home life is a mess what business do you have trying to tell others how to live? Bishops, elders, deacons are all chosen to help the congregation and to lead by example. To whom much is given, much is expected; and these are the people that have walked with the Lord and are living proof by example to the younger Christians on how to live and walk in the Spirit. So whatever your calling is, being that it is the Lord calling, feel free to answer it, and don’t wait around for mans’ approval or title, but rather get to work. Matthew 20:6-7 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? (7) They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. (KJV) If you read this chapter it refers to the parable of the vineyard. The owner of the vineyard, our Lord, keeps finding people standing around idle because they are waiting for some man to tell them what to do. When our Lord returns again someday to check out His spiritual vineyard where will He find you? Are standing around idle waiting for mans’ approval or title before you go to work, or will you answer your heavenly calling and receive the reward of inheritance? God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Psalms 25:14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant. (KJV)
We have talked this week about evidence. Our faith is established by the things that are not seen outwardly, but rather revealed inwardly. There is a secret that is of the Lord which is revealed to those that fear or reverence Him, and respect the calling they have from Him. The secret is a mystery to those outside of God’s kingdom, but clearly visible and understood by those within His realm. So where are you looking for the answer to this secret? Have you sought it out in the word of God to find this evidence, or are you seeking it from some other source that cannot give an eyewitness account of this answer? Romans 16:25-26 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, (26) But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: (KJV) The Old Testament prophets wrote of a Messiah that would come and bring salvation to a fallen mankind; a ministry of reconciliation that was kept secret, but now made manifest to all. The New Testament prophets now speak of a Messiah that has come and made this secret available to all that come to a working knowledge of Jesus Christ and the revelation of this mystery by the eyewitness accounts of those that are able to look into the realm of the Spirit. Ephesians 3:2-5 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: (3) How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, (4) By which, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) (5) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; (KJV) The calling of Paul and the writings God gave to him, were pointing to his own personal eyewitness account of the mystery of Christ and his spiritual insights into this. Many people can give an account of Jesus of Nazareth, the son of a carpenter, the son of Joseph and Mary, all based on the outward appearance. But as we see in the above verses, the mystery is of Christ, the hidden man within, and the knowledge of this secret is revealed to His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; in other words, it takes one to know one. You have to be in the Spirit to get to know a spiritual being. So, what is being revealed to you, and where are you looking to find the answer to this secret? Are you looking to man to solve this mystery, or will you go to the source to find the answer that eludes the carnal thinking? Isaiah 45:3 And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. (KJV) Call it a treasure hunt if you like; the Bible being your treasure map. Like with many treasures of gold, silver, and other precious metals of man, they are hidden in the earth and need to be sought and dug out if one is to claim its riches. God has hidden His plan of salvation and all the treasures of His wisdom and knowledge in Christ; and all those that seek Him and understand this revelation will find the answer to this eternal mystery. Mark 4:21-23 And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? (22) For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. (23) If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. (KJV) There is no excuse, and no reason why you can’t find this answer. God has made it manifest and available to all. Now the question is, where are you looking for the answer, who are you seeking it from, and with what ears are you listening with? A spiritual mystery requires a spiritual revelation, a light to shine in your heart and give you the knowledge you seek after. You need to keep your spiritual ears in tune, and the volume turned up so that you can hear the message delivered by Christ and find all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge in Him. Without faith (our ability to hear this message and the revelation of the mystery of Christ) it is impossible to please God, and to know the secret that has been kept hidden in the spiritual realm but ready to be revealed to those that worship God in spirit and in truth. Romans 1:16-19 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (17) For in it is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (19) Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. (KJV) Once you come to an understanding of this mystery and the power of God available through the gospel of Christ, it is up to you to hold fast to this message delivered by Him and not lose sight of this revelation. One way or the other God will reveal Himself to all mankind; the question now is, will you allow Him to do so by faith, or will you fall away and see it revealed through His wrath? Now playing at a spiritual theatre near you; the revelation of the mystery of God, or the wrath of God, which screening will you attend? Once you have sat through a showing of the mystery, it is up to you to go forth and give an accurate eyewitness account of what took place, and how this mystery is solved, so that the secret of the Lord will no longer be a secret, but will be common knowledge to those that are looking to find the answer for themselves. Want to know a secret; better yet, know the answer so that it doesn’t remain a secret any longer? God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. Matthew 12:30-32 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. (31) Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. (32) And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. (KJV)
Thayer’s definition for ‘blasphemy’: 989 blasphemos- speaking evil, slanderous, reproachful, railing, abusive Are you totally sure that the word you teach and preach is in line with the Lord? The words that you speak are either spirit and life, or like we saw in the book of James, a deadly poison. Are you living the life the Lord intended for you to live, as well as speaking and presenting His word the way He intended it to be spoken? You wouldn’t want your name and reputation slandered and abused, well neither does the Lord think to highly of seeing the creation slander the Creator. Sin, blasphemy simply put, is a result of unbelief; one chooses not to let God be true and man the liar, but rather twists and turns the scriptures to their own destruction, trying to make them fit their lifestyle in the flesh rather than ministering words that give life to the spirit. Proverbs 16:1-2 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. (2) All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits. (KJV) If you plan on giving the Lord’s answer to any that would ask, then you better know it is coming from Him. This takes time and preparation in the word of God and prayer daily so that you will know how to communicate His word effectively. If you don’t know the answer, don’t make one up. If you’re giving scripted answers from a man made doctrine, you may not like the answer the Lord gives you in return when you have to stand before Him and give an account of your words. Man has invented many denominations that look good and sound good to the outward, but the Lord looks at the inward, and that is what will make or break you if you intend on inheriting His reward. John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (KJV) Jesus of Nazareth was a man who was led by the spirit of Christ, and brought a message of life and salvation though the Spirit. He set the perfect example for us to follow, being a forerunner for all those that wish to inherit eternal life. Are the words you speak building up or tearing down those around you? Did you know that it is the doctrine of Christ that God gives credence to, and anything else is just a cheap imitation? John 12:48-50 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. (49) For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. (50) And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. (KJV) What would your life be like if you only spoke what you heard from our Father, bringing a message of hope and salvation to a fallen world? The answer would be unending; as well as some persecution and trials from the enemy. But just think, if you are willing to give His answer to any and all that would ask, most assuredly you also will find the answer you are looking for some day when you have to stand before Him and give an account of what you did with His word. Don’t expect ticker tape parades here on this earth, or if you think you are going to be popular, forget that also. You will find that the more you are willing to share the love of God and His message, the less you will be loved by man. I have to laugh sometimes when people talk about UFOs and aliens coming to this planet and visiting us; and all of the sightings people claim to have seen. We had one alien visit us from heaven two thousand years ago, with a message of love and hope to all mankind, and they ended up crucifying Him. So why would any other ‘being’ want to come here? Which by the way, all this UFO stuff is nothing but a big hoax anyway. Colossians 4:3-6 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds: (4) That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. (5) Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. (6) Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. (KJV) To those on the outside of the kingdom of God, the mystery of Christ is something hidden to the carnal man, but ready to be revealed to the spirit. Paul’s prayer was that he could preach and teach this mystery to any and all that he came in contact with; presenting it in a way that would minister to them personally. Our speech should always be with grace. After all, we ourselves were saved by this divine favor (grace) which was granted to us not of works, but by the mercy of God. So we as well need to present this message, not in an overbearing, self righteous holier than thou attitude, but rather understanding where the person is at in their walk, and effectively ministering to them at that point. Paul said he was all things to all people; learning to relate with them where they were at, and being able to hear how he ought to answer every man. Matthew 10:18-20 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. (19) But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. (20) For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. (KJV) Just as Paul and many others that have spoken on the Lord’s behalf, the answer he had to give was sometimes before those that were not always looking for truth, and under rather hostile conditions. No matter what the conditions are, or the circumstances surrounding our situation, it is always vital to let the Spirit of our Father speak through us in order to get His results, as well as an eternal inheritance. God bless and have a prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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