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28 April:
Serving the Lord
In one of Christ’s parables three men were given talents: one is given 5, one is given 2 and one is given on talent. In the parable it is apparent that DOING SOMETHING with those talents was expected and rewarded and one was punished when he did nothing.
In another parable those followers of Christ that acted like Good Samaritans are called sheep and invited into God’s kingdom. Those who refused to respond to needful situations were sent away into eternal punishment. Do you notice a theme in these two parables – condemnation was administered to people who did not do anything “WRONG” but they were guilty of doing nothing at all. James 4:17 “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” Jesus tells us: John 15:1.2 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.” The problem presented to us here is not that a vine is producing bad fruit and therefore destroyed but that it is barren and not producing at all.
Why does this seem to be a problem worthy of condemnation? Mt 12:30 “He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters.” Mt 6:24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Apparently God thinks that we are either living for self or we are living for Him. 2 Cor 7:17, 20 “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. . . . Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ . . .” Likewise: Mt 5:16 “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.” 1 Cor 10:31 “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” John 15:8 “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”
Our lives are either bringing glory to God or we are denying God the glory that He deserves. Our proper lifestyle is to make sure that we are serving the kingdom of God so that God is glorified; our lives are to bless those around us: Colossians 3:23-24 – "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
Would you think it inappropriate to take the Greatest Commandment and slightly alter it to say:
You should ( love/serve ) the Lord your God with all your heart, . . . .”? John has told us: 1 John 2:16 “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the father, but is from the world.” We are going to either love God or love something else, probably SELF!!!
Now it is possible that a person might think that the Lord is a harsh task master. Consider what Jesus taught in Matthew 7: Matthew 7: V. 2 “For in the way that you judge, you will be judged”; V. 12 “In everything therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets”; V.14 “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” V.19 “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire”; V 23 “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness”; V. 24-27 “Everyone who hears and does not act on them is like a man building his house on sand and when the storm comes – great will be the fall.”
This chapter is scattered with situations concerning negative consequences for those who reject the name of Christ. Acts 4:12 tells us “There is salvation in no other name”. So, why are there so many warnings against those who reject Christ? It is because God loves us and wants us to enjoy an abundant life leading our eternal life. If we reject Christ we are only left to worship the things of this world.
PAUSE
Ask yourself - Who is a happier and fulfilled person? A person that lives a life enriched by love and compassion or someone who is self-centered and constantly worrying about the next situation that is going to take their happiness?
Romans 8:5 “For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:3,4,5 “Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which He loved us, . . . made us alive together with Christ”. Why do you think the 10 Commandments were given to God’s people. It was because God wanted to set a path for His people that would lead to happiness and fulfillment. If we are loving, honoring, and worshiping God and we have our minds on the right path. If we are honoring and treating correctly those people around us, then we are creating a life for ourselves and others that is blessed.
We need to remember that doing NOTHING for God is doing something for Satan. We need to decide which master we are going to serve. Paul gives us these instructions: Eph 5:15-20 15 So then, be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, . . . but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your hearts to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to our God and Father”. Peter tells us: 1 Peter 5:6,7 “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”
Ultimately, the decision we must make is to decide if we are going to live our lives patterned according to the way the Lord has dictated or are we going to do it our own way. James 4:13,14,15 “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.’ Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, your ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.’” Col 3:17 “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him”.
If we decide that want to live according to God’s will we need to know and remember 2 Tim 3:16 “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. Rom 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” We are walking talking representatives/AMBASSADORS for Christ. Mtt 5:16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
2 Pe 1:5-11 “5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they do not make you useless nor unproductive in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For the one who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choice of you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.”
Realize - these qualities are fruit showing up in our lives leading us to yet more fruit bearing” Eph 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”
21 April: Blessings Found in the Lord Psalm 16 The Gospel Coalition: David Schuman April 9,’24 Read Psalm 16
1. The Blessing of Community: David first speaks of the blessing of community: “As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight” (v. 3). Finding joy while spending time with friends and family is usually a pretty easy task. Something as easy as a phone call, text, email, or postcard, can be an uplifting experience. It is God’s intentions to provide us with all the help we need to get through our days on this earth: 1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” Romans 12:10 “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor”. Ephesians 5:19 “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord”. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 “We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” Heb 10:24 “and let us consider how to encourage one another to love and good deeds”.
Our being part of God’s family, founded on the concept of loving our neighbor, has placed us in a social setting which provides us with all the encouragement and uplifting support that we need in our lives.
2. The Blessing of Inheritance: Alluding to the allotment of the promised land to the 12 tribes, David tells us we have an inheritance that far surpasses even the choicest earthly inheritance (vv. 5–6). Our inheritance is an abundant and blessed life to be followed by eternity with the Father.
Earthly Blessings: Mt 6:33 & 7:11 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” “… how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!” 1 Cor 3:16 “Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?” John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” Philistines 4:6,7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Spiritual Blessings: Eph 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ”. Rom 5:1 “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Rev 3:21 “He who overcomes, I will grant to him the right to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.”
3. The Blessing of Counsel: The psalm continues to rise as David reflects on the blessing of God’s counsel: “I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me” (v. 7).
2 Tim 3:16,17 “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” 1 Cor 10:11 “Now these things happened to them as an example and they were written for our instructions”.
4. The Blessing of Strength: Next, David blesses God for the strength he supplies: “I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken” (v. 8).
Psalm 68:35 “O God, You are awesome from Your sanctuary. The God of Israel Himself gives strength and power to the people. Blessed be God!” Isaiah 40:31 “Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” 2 Thess 3:3 “But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” 2 Cor 12:10 “Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
5. The Blessing in Death: David reaches a climax of praise as he declares God’s blessing even in death:
You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (v 10–11)
We too know assurance of a resurrection awaiting us. 2 Cor 4:14 “knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and will present us with you.” 1 Thess 4:14 “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.” John 11:25 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies”. John 6:40 “For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”
We deserve none of these blessings. We want a life filled with joy, but our hearts turn from God and run after other things. Rom 3:23 tells us that we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Rom 1:18 “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness.” 2 Thess 1:9 “They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His might.” Matt 8:12 “but the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 2 Peter 3:7 “But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.”
We may not feel like we are ungodly men, but I think we will all agree that we are sinners. That is why, in order to avoid this punishment we see here, that Christ came and died for us: Eph 1:7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace”. 1 Peter 2:24 “He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.” Gal 3:13 “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us . . .”
Jesus tasted death that you might live forever at His right hand. Jesus truly desires that we share eternity with Him and the Father. He gave his life to share with you the inheritance He earned by right.
14 April: God’s Plan of Salvation
Mt 28:19,20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations: this means that someone is teaching a person who is listening and believing; baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit: the one who believes then decides to be baptized; teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; after baptism that person then lives their lives in accordance with Jesus’ teachings.
Detailed Examination of God’s Plan: A) The first portion of the plan is that people must hear the message. Rom 10:14 “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Hm whom they have not heard: and how will they hear without a preacher?”
If someone is going to become a believer, they must first hear the message. This is something very important to God our Father: 1 Tim 2:3,4 “This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow about His promise but is patient toward you, not wishing any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” The point in these passages is that God cares about the lost. He cares so much that according to John 3:16 God sent His Son to die on the cross. We should pay attention to those things that God cares about. If He cares, then we need to care also as his faithful children. CONSIDER:
1 Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellences of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 2 Cor 5:18,20 “Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation . . . therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us . . .” If we belong to God, “His own possession”, then we are going to do what He wants us to do. This verse then goes on and tells us what He wants US to do: not die on some cross, necessarily, but to at least share our knowledge of Him. If we have been given a ministry – He is going to EXPECT us to minister!!!
God’s Plan: B) Those that hear must then believe: Once we have done our job of sharing it is then their responsibility to respond appropriately. Even Jesus found that there were those who believed and responded and there were those who rejected His message. Those whose heart and minds are open to God’s spirit will respond properly: John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes shall not perish, but have eternal life.” Heb 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” John 8:24 “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” Acts 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Those who hear and believe the story of Christ will receive salvation and eternal life. Those who do not believe and accept will lose their eternal life. James tells us that even the demons believe, but they have not accepted Jesus as their Lord. Our belief must lead to obedience -
God’s Plan: C) Believers must repent and turn to God’s way: Acts 17:30,31 “Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent”. Luke 13:1-5 Jesus describes two tragedies that occurred and stipulated that those killed were not more evil than others, but unless His followers repented, they will also perish like the people in the tragedy. Romans 2:4 “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” Acts 2:37,38 “Now when they heard this there were pierced to the hear and said, ‘Brethren, what shall we do?’ Peter said, ‘Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ . . .” Rom 3:23-25 “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in His grace, freely makes us right in His sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. . . .” Those previous verses telling them to repent refers to us as well. Repentance is a heartfelt reaction to the sins in our lives. Eph 4:22 “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires”. (this change of lifestyle is evidence of repentance) 2 Cor 7:10 “For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.” Sorrow only occurs because repentance is making a change withing us. As we see the harm being done in our lives because of sin, damage to others and damage to our relationship with Christ, we become sorrowful and desire a change within us – this is repentance from the heart as God desires. Once we see and desire a change – we must then confess this desire for change:
God’s Plan: D) We must confess our faith to be saved. Rom 10:8-10 “But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ – that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confessed, resulting in salvation.” Luke 12:8,9 “And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God, but he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.” Denying and rejecting the message of Christ is not limited to a vocal thing. “Actions speak louder than words.” If, in our lives, we do not live according to God’s will, we have rejected His will and thus His message. Mt 12:34b “(Jesus said to them) ‘For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.” What we say and how we live reflects what is in our hearts. We are to love the Lord out God with ALL our heart. If we do not love God with all our heart we are breaking the most important commandment in Scripture – and this failure is what makes it so hard to love our neighbor and to follow all the other teachings of Christ. One such commandment is that we are to be baptized:
God’s Plan: E) We must be baptized to be saved. 1 Peter 3:21 “Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you – not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience – through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” Mark 16:15,16 “And Jesus said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.” Acts 8:35,36 “Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him (Ethiopian Eunuch). As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch said, ‘Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?’ . . . And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him.” Apparently, the preaching story of Jesus included some reference to the importance of being baptized. Apparently, the Eunuch believed all the things he was hearing and wanted to be obedient to the message. This is what led him to wanting to be obedient – thus be baptized! Acts 2:37,38 “now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and asked, ‘Brethren, what shall we do?’ and Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Rom 6:3,4,5 “Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore, we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection.’” Wouldn’t the opposite of this be true, also? If we have NOT be united with Him in His death, then we won’t be like Him in His resurrection.
Our being united with Him in His death means that we are to “walk in newness of life”. Paul put it this way: Rom 6:6-8 “knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him”. This isn’t referring to living with Him in heaven but living with Him day by day as we continue in this life. This is where that abundant life comes into play that Jesus speaks of in John 10:10. If we are living with Him then we are walking faithfully with Him.
God’s Plan: F) We must be faithful until death. Rev 2:10 “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. . . . Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Do you see that expectation that is written there? John is telling that church that they ARE going to suffer and they DO need to remain faithful!!! Eph 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” How is a person to “remain faithful”? By doing the works that God places before us in the course of our day by day existence.
2 Cor 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” Ephesians 4:24 “and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” Remember that verse about us being unified with Christ’s death in our baptism and how we were then raised to walk in the newness of life – here is that message again: we are a new creation and in the likeness of Christ – created in righteousness and holiness. That is how our lives are to be lived!
2 Tim 2:12 “If we endure (faithfully), we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him (actions), He also will deny us.” Col 3:1-3 “Therefore, if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above where Christ is, seated at the right had of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Jas 1:12 “Blessed is a man who perseveres (remains faithful) under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of live which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
Mt 13:23 “And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.” Mt 3:8 “(Jesus said to them), Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance.” James 2:20 “But are you willing to recognize you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?”
Conclusion: Once we have heard the Word it is up to us to respond with belief, repentance, confession, and baptism. This is then followed by a faithful and Godly productive life for God’s Kingdom. If we do so then we will be rewarded with an eternal WITH our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at the right hand of God.