thegospelmailman@yahoo.com, Author at The Gospel Mailman

You are Saved Through Faith

Scripture: Ephesians 2: 8-10

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.,

Scripture Commentary: We are saved through faith.

We have Jesus’ gift of salvation through faith.

How do you handle this? Do you ask how much do I owe you? Or, do you say, “Thank you”? Because our salvation is a gift, do you feel obligated to try to work your way to God?

Be grateful, joyful; Praise God!

This gift of salvation, and even our faith, should be responded to with gratitude, praise and joy. We became Christians through God’s unmerited grace. It wasn’t the result of efforts, abilities, intellect, or an act of service on our part. However, out of gratitude for this gift, we will seek to help and serve others with kindness, love and gentleness. We aren’t merely working to please ourselves.

No action or work we do helps us obtain salvation.

God’s intention is that our salvation will result in acts of service. We are not saved merely for our own benefit. We are saved to serve Christ and build up God’s church.

Go out and encourage others who are struggling. Show them that the love of Jesus Christ lives within you.

Read the Entire Chapter:

Ephesians Chapter 2

Dear Lord, What Shall I Do?

Scripture: Mark 10: 17-22

And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

¹⁸And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

¹⁹Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

²⁰And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.

²¹Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

²²And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

Scripture Commentary: What shall I do to be saved?

This young man wanted to be sure that he would have eternal life. He asked, “what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said that he’d never once broken any of the laws Jesus mentioned. Perhaps he had even kept the Pharisees loophole-filled version of the law.

Jesus lovingly broke through the young man’s pride with a challenge that brought out his true motives. “Go, sell everything you have and give it to the poor.”

Don’t let God’s challenge be your barrier to Him.

This challenge exposed the barrier that could keep this man – and us – out of the kingdom: his love of money. Money represented his pride of accomplishment and self worth. Ironically, his attitude made him unable to keep the first commandment, which is to let nothing be more important than God.

He could not meet the one requirement Jesus gave. He was unable to turn his whole heart and life over to God. This man came wondering what he could do. He left seeing what he was unable to do.

What barriers are keeping you from turning your life over to Christ?

What does your money mean to you? Your reaction may show your attitude toward money. Is money your servant or your master?

Your only true master should be your love for Jesus Christ.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Mark Chapter 10

Come to Jesus’ Banquet Table

Part Three: Jesus Prepared Your Place At the Table (Jesus Is Our Great Shepherd)

There are seventy-two psalms and almost half speak about enemies. Enemies are those who oppose not only us, but also God’s ways. David is at the table asking God to keep his enemies from overcoming him because they oppose what God stands for.

David isn’t questioning his faith. He knows that God will triumph. But David did not want his enemies’ success to be an obstacle to the faith of others. When we see a person or a group that we consider to be doing well, keep in mind that it’s only temporary, as we all are temporary. We are here for a moment, but what we do while we are here in the name of Our Lord will carry on.

Psalm 25: 2

O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.

Jesus, the Good Shepherd, the Great Shepherd, the Perfect Shepherd, promises to guide and protect us through life to bring us into His Father’s house.

John 14: 2

In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

God tells us He is our shepherd. Jesus tells us He is going to prepare a place for us, and He will come back for us. We can look forward to eternal life with Him.

Psalm 23: 6

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Jesus has a place for you in His Father’s house, and the banquet table is prepared. Your seat is waiting for you. Jesus paid the ultimate price for your seat when He went to the cross, died and rose from the grave. Jesus gave you the way to eternal life.

John 3: 16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scriptures Referenced:

Read Parts 1 and 2 of the sermon,

Part one: The Great Shepherd Restores the Soul

Part two: God Is With Me; I Will Fear No Evil

God Is With Me; I Will Fear No Evil

Part Two: I Will Fear No Evil (Jesus Is Our Great Shepherd)

Psalm 23: 4

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Yes, although I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will have no fear because you are my God, my Shepherd. Death has no hold on me.

I am a child of God. I know Jesus died on the cross for my sins. And on the third day, He rose from the grave with all power.

I know where I’m going when I die. Do you?

I will fear no evil because Satan has lost. He lost me when I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. He lost when I started to live a Christ-like life. God has forgiven me of my sins. I am a child of God. He lost because God comforts me.

God’s rod is my rock.

He is perfect, the true God. If I ask anything according to His will, He will hear me. I know that my petition is heard as long as my prayers are to His will. It is a comfort to know that God is there for me.

Psalm 23: 5

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

In Near Eastern culture during ancient times, it was customary (at a banquet) to anoint a guest with fragrant oil as a lotion. The host was also expected to protect his guest at all costs.

God offers His protection to you and me when enemies surround us. Sometimes we can see what God saves us from; other times, it may not be as obvious to us. If everything went our way at all times, we may say or think it’s all us and not God.

Read the complete chapter of the Scripture referenced:

Psalm 23

Please return next week for the final, Part 3, of the sermon, Jesus is Our Great Shepherd.

The Great Shepherd Restores the Soul

Part One: Jesus Is Our Great Shepherd

Psalm 23: 1

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

The Lord is my shepherd, maker, Father, protector, the Great Shepherd.

Our needs are taken care of. It’s not what we think we need; what He has for us is all we need.

David is writing out of his own experience as a shepherd to his father’s sheep as a young boy.

1 Samuel 16: 11

And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.

Sheep are completely dependent on the shepherd for provision, guidance and protection.

As God’s children, we are dependent on Him for His guidance and protection. The New Testament calls Jesus the Good Shepherd, the Great Shepherd, and the Chief Shepherd.

Psalm 23: 2

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

When you drive by or fly over farmland, you’ll see the green pastures. What a peaceful feeling that brings. This is the feeling you have when you truly place yourself in God’s hands.

Isaiah 43: 2

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

God will lead you to the path of rightness. If you go your own way, you are going to walk the path Satan has for you. Don’t think that Satan isn’t waiting to lead you. Check out the following verses below.

Job 2:2

And the Lord said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

Matthew 4: 1

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

Now if the devil thought he could tempt Jesus, what do you think he can do with you? Without Jesus to protect you, you have no chance against Satan.

When you put ourselves in Jesus’s hands, you have contentment. Psalm 23 does not focus on the animal-like qualities of sheep but on the discipleship qualities of those who follow Our Lord and Savior.

However, when you choose to sin, you go your own way. Don’t blame God for the place you find yourself.

Psalm 23: 3

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

God won’t lead you to a wrong path.

He restores you because He loves you. He loved us before we loved Him.

God sent His Son to pay for your sins. And by sending His Son, He made a way for you to go to Him directly without anything or anyone intervening.

He restores your soul out of love, but if you are rebellious and disobedient, you are going against your own best interest.

Read the full chapters of the Scriptures referenced:

Please return later this week for Part Two of Jesus Is Our Great Shepherd.

Fear of God is the Beginning of Wisdom

Scripture: Luke 12: 4-5

“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. ⁵But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

Scripture Commentary:

We go through life in fear of not pleasing the “right people,” not having certain possessions, and making/having a certain amount of money. If this is your path, are you lost?

Think about this: God has given you everything that you need.

What have you given to God? When life has left your body, you can’t say, “Wait, Lord. Forgive me; give me another chance.”

Jesus told His disciples to watch out for the hypocrites who try to appear good but their hearts are far from God. If you please Our Lord Jesus Christ, you will please people.

Fear of opposition and ridicule can weaken your witnessing for Christ.

We often cling to peace and comfort, even at the cost of our walk with God. Jesus reminds us that we should fear God who controls eternal, not merely temporal, consequences.

Our true value is God’s estimate of our worth, not that of our peers.

People evaluate and categorize you according to how you perform, what you achieve, or how you look. Jesus takes you for your love of Him, not them.

Read the Entire Chapter”

Luke Chapter 12

Jesus Spoke Plainly About His Purpose

Part Two: Jesus Christ is the Son of God and Son of Man. Jesus spoke plainly about His purpose.

Scripture: Mark 8: 32

He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

Note: Peter was not considering God’s purpose but only his own natural human desires and feelings when he rebuked Jesus. Peter wanted Christ to be king, not the suffering servant prophesied in Isaiah 53.

Peter saw only part of the picture.

Like the other disciples, Peter was ready to receive the glory of following the Messiah but not the persecution. He was often the spokesman for all the disciples. In singling Peter out, Jesus may have been addressing all of them indirectly. Unknowingly, the disciples were trying to prevent Jesus from going to the cross and fulfilling His mission on earth.

Satan also tempted Jesus to avoid the way of the cross (see Matthew 4). Whereas Satan’s motives were evil, the disciples were motivated by love and admiration for Jesus. Only after Jesus’s death and resurrection would they fully understand why He had to die.

What does it mean to take up the cross?

The Romans, Mark’s original audience, knew what taking up the cross meant. A prisoner carried His own cross to the place of execution, signifying submission to Rome’s power.

Jesus used the image of carrying a cross to illustrate the ultimate submission required of His followers.

Read the Entire Chapters of the Scriptures Referenced:

Mark Chapter 8

Isaiah Chapter 53

Matthew Chapter 4

Jesus, Son of God; Son of Man

Part One: Jesus is the Son of God and Son of Man. He did not come as King, but as servant.

Scripture: Mark 8: 31

He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.

Note: “Son of Man” is Jesus most common title for himself. The reference comes from Daniel 7:13. Jesus is also referred to as the Messiah, the human agent of God who is vindicated by God.

In Mark 8:31 Jesus begins to speak plainly and directly to His disciples about His death and resurrection. He began to prepare them for what was going to happen to Him, telling them three times that He would soon die.

Read the Entire Chapters of the Scriptures Referenced:

Mark Chapter 8

Daniel Chapter 7

Other references Jesus makes to His death:

Mark 9: 31

Mark 10: 33-34

Don’t Despise God’s Discipline

Scripture: Job 5: 17

Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.

Scripture Commentary: The Lord disciplines those He loves.

Eliphaz was correct. It is a blessing to be disciplined by God when we are wrong. This shows a view of discipline that has been almost forgotten; pain can help us grow. These are good words to remember when we face hardship and loss.

As we know from the beginning, Job’s suffering was not a result of some sin but was from Satan trying to make Job denounce God.

What is Satan trying to do in your life?

Because Job did not understand why he suffered, his faith in God had a chance to grow. Is your faith in God growing? Are you living a life that will let your godly spirit grow?

God does not eliminate all hardship when we follow Him.

Good behavior is not always rewarded by prosperity. Rewards for good and punishment for evil are in God’s hands and are given out according to His timetable.

Our true reward is the forgiveness that God, through His Son Jesus Christ, has made for us. We can go directly to Him because Jesus died on the cross for us. Satan’s ploy is to get us to doubt God’s goodwill toward us.

Read the Entire Chapter:

Job Chapter 5

Jesus Came to Save the Lost

Scripture: Luke 15: 28-32

“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

“‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

Scripture Commentary: I once was lost but now I am found.

In the parable of the prodigal son, it is hard for the older brother to accept his younger brother when he returned. Likewise today, it is just as difficult to accept some friends or family members.

People who repent after leading notoriously sinful lives are often held in suspicion; churches are sometimes unwilling to admit them to membership. Instead we should rejoice like the angels in heaven when one of the lost, the unbeliever, repents and turns to God.

The father forgave because he was filled with love.

The older brother’s resentment rendered him just as lost to the father’s love and his younger brother had been.

Don’t let anything keep you from forgiving others. God’s great love for us reaches out and finds sinners no matter why or how they became lost. He found me; He loves you.

Read the Entire Chapter:

Luke Chapter 15