Do You See Yourself Clearly?

Scripture: Luke 6: 36-37, 42

Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:(36-37)

Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye.(42)

Scripture Commentary:

Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the most blessed of all? Is it I or is it him or her? Have you looked in the mirror and clearly seen yourself?

What do you really see? Be honest! Do you see who you are, or who you would like to be? Can you see your own shortcomings or do you see other people’s wrongdoings?

We often rationalize our sins by pointing out the same mistakes in others. Jesus reminds us that the way we live reveals our true underlying beliefs, attitudes, and motivations.

If you are to serve Jesus, you must forgive.

Treat others generously and with compassion and this will come back to you in full measure. Love others; don’t judge them. God is the judge.

So, what do you see in the mirror?

Read the Entire Chapter:

Luke Chapter 6

Don’t Suffer the Delusion to Believe A Lie

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2: 9-12

Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

Scripture Commentary: Don’t believe a lie.

Satan would have you believe a lie that what is wrong is right. Are you doing right in God’s eye, or in just your own eye? Are you doing something that can be done in the daylight or only in darkness?

Satan has a way to make you feel that it’s alright to do wrong. But the Holy Spirit in you will not lie to you.

You need God.

Paul wrote to the Thessalonians to tell them the dangers of losing hope of the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ. We, today, are starting to live with no hope. This is Satan deceiving you; however, God gives you the freedom to turn your back on Satan.

Your main defense here is prayer that God will protect you from evil and strengthen you so that you can spread God’s Word.

God’s love for you is your only hope, but you must love God too.

Read the Entire Chapter:

2 Thessalonians Chapter 2

Who Loves Us More Than Christ?

Scripture: Luke 7: 40-42

Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”

Scripture Commentary: Who will love us more than Christ?

He went to the cross for our sins because He loves us all. We, on the other hand, aren’t living a life that is befitting His sacrifice. We are weak and have forgotten why we are here.

Simon committed several social errors when Jesus came to dine with him. Simon did not wash Jesus’ feet, he didn’t anoint Jesus’ head with oil, and he didn’t greet Jesus with a kiss.

Instead a sinful woman washed Jesus’ feet with her tears, and she anointed his head with oil. Christ forgave her sins just as the moneylender forgave the debts.

God’s grace saves us all.

It is God’s grace through faith that saves us, and only those who realize the depth of their sin can appreciate the complete forgiveness that Jesus Christ offers them.

Jesus has rescued all of His followers, whether we were extremely wicked or conventionally good. Do you appreciate the wideness of God’s mercy?

Read the Entire Chapter:

Luke Chapter 7

Believers Spread the Aroma of the Knowledge of God

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2: 14-17

But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.

Scripture Commentary

In a Roman triumphal procession, the Roman general would display his treasures and captives amidst a cloud of incense burned to the gods. To the victors, the aroma was sweet, but to the captives, it was the smell of slavery and death.

When Christians preach the gospel, it is good news to some and repulsive news to others. Believers recognize the life-giving fragrance of the message. However, to non-believers it smells foul, like death.

Serving God requires that you focus on what He can do through you.

God has commissioned and sent us with the Holy Spirit, enabling us to speak with Christ’s power. He keeps His eye on us, protecting us as we work for Him. So, if we realize that God makes us competent and useful, we can overcome our feelings of inadequacy. Serving Christ, therefore, requires that we focus on what He can do through us, not on what we can’t do by ourselves.

Some preachers peddle God’s word without understanding God’s message or caring about their listeners. They aren’t concerned about furthering God’s kingdom; they just want money.

God’s word will set you free; the lie will send you to hell.

Read the Entire Chapter:
2 Corinthians Chapter 2

Who are You to Pass Judgment on Others?

Scripture: Romans 2: 1-4

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment?Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

Scripture Commentary: We are not to pass judgment on others.

How can you tell another that s/he isn’t living as God intended when you aren’t either? In order to pass judgment (for you do not have that right), you must look at yourself. And when you do this, what do you see? Do you see your true self or do you see the person you think you are?

We have all sinned; we are all sinning.

Don’t pass judgment on others. But do start with yourself. Take a look; find your faults and work to correct them.

We belong to a stubborn race. We know what’s right but we insist on doing what’s wrong. But we must start to do what is right. Even people who have never read The Bible – and who do not know Jesus Christ – know right from wrong. If you travel the world, you find that all cultures prohibit murder, adultery, and stealing. Yet these laws are always being broken.

If we would violate our own laws, what are we doing to God’s law?

There are always people within society who violate the law. If we do not follow the laws we’ve made, what then are we doing to God’s law? If you follow God’s laws and live the life He intended, then as His children your life would become a reflection of Him.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Romans Chapter 2

God Is Not a God of Confusion but of Truth

Scripture: Galatians 1: 6-10

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse!

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Scripture Commentary: Avoid the confusion of a lie by knowing The Bible.

Twisting the truth is more difficult to spot than an outright lie. How can we eliminate the confusion and tell when someone is lying?

Before you accept the teaching of any group, find out what that group teaches about Jesus Christ. And if their teaching does not match the truth of God’s Word, found in The Bible, then it is a perversion.

Paul warned that Satan masquerades as an angel of light. Paul said that even if an angel from heaven comes preaching another message, that angel should be “eternally condemned.” Paul extended that curse to include himself if he should pervert the gospel.

God’s truth is eternal and never changes.

God’s message must never change, for the truth of the gospel never changes! God does not accept man-made religion as a substitute for faith in Jesus Christ. He has provided just one way to him, and that way is Jesus Christ.

Are you a servant of the risen Savior, Jesus Christ?

Read the Entire Chapter:
Galatians Chapter 1

Have your iniquities separated you from God?

Sermon: Will You Be Prepared When Christ Returns? (Have your iniquities separated you from God?)

Part Two: Isaiah 59: 2

But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.

Matthew 25:10-12

But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

How will you R.S.V.P? I will attend or I will not attend.

Read the Complete Chapters of the Scriptures Referenced:
Isaiah Chapter 59
Matthew Chapter 25

Read Part One of the Sermon, Will You Be Prepared When Christ Returns?

Will You Be Prepared When Christ Returns?

Sermon: Will You Be Prepared When Christ Returns?

Part One: Matthew 25: 1-4

At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.

This is a story for today, with an emphasis on the question, “Are you prepared if Christ was to come here, now?” God tells us throughout the Bible to prepare ourselves for His coming.

I can pray for you but I cannot live for you.

The parable of the 10 virgins illustrates that each of us is responsible for his or her spiritual condition. I can pray for you but I cannot live for you. I can take you to church, and read you the Scriptures. However, if you don’t accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, then you are the one who is lost.

This parable is about you and it’s about me. Some of us are prepared and are waiting. But some of us are waiting for the procession to start before we think about getting prepared.

Everyone is responsible for his own actions.

Now here comes the bridegroom, Jesus, with the bride. They have made many stops along the way. They have seen family, friends, and well wishers along the route. Those of us who have our oil are prepared to join the procession, and we only have enough for the procession. We have none to spare for those who didn’t do what was required. Each person is responsible for him/herself.

Did you prepare yourself?

Are you ready for the good food, music, wine, and the other fine single people who will be in attendance? Or do you need to run off to buy your oil after the procession has begun?

When Jesus comes, you can’t ask Him to wait because you didn’t take the time to get ready. Spiritual preparation can’t be bought or borrowed at the last minute. Our relationship with God must be our own.

God rewards faithfulness.

The parable describes the consequences of two attitudes toward Christ’s return. There are those who diligently prepare for it by investing their time and talent serving God.

Then there are those who take no time and have no heart to work for God. Those who bear no fruit for God cannot expect to be treated the same as those who are faithful.

John 14: 3

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

Jesus told His followers, and He is telling us what we must do to enter the kingdom. First, we are to accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Then we are to love one another, and help each other spread God’s Word wherever we can.

Read the Full Chapters of the Scriptures Referenced:
Matthew Chapter 25
John Chapter 14

Return Friday, November 23, for the next installment in the sermon, Will You Be Prepared When Christ Returns?

Refrain from the Wickedness of a Godless Life

Scripture: Romans 1: 18-22

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

Scripture Commentary: Don’t be a slave to the wickedness that is your human nature.

The people in Romans Chapter 18, just like some of us today, chose to live in wickedness, rejecting God.

God does not usually stop us from making choices that are against His will.

He allows us the choice to reject Him. He lets us declare our supposed independence from Him, although He knows that in time we will become slaves to our rebellious choices.

Does life without God look like freedom to you?

Look more closely. There is no worse slavery than slavery to sin. People tend to believe lies that reinforce their own selfish, personal beliefs. Today, more than ever, we need to be careful about the input we allow to form our beliefs.

The Bible is the only standard of truth. Bible study, and strong support in a Christian church can help you gain strength to resist Satan’s powerful temptations.

God’s gift of His Son Jesus Christ is the only gift we need.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Romans Chapter 1

Let God Fill You with Wisdom and Understanding

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 2: 6-10

We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written:

“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him — these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.

Scripture Commentary: Lord, give me wisdom and knowledge.

God’s “secret wisdom,” which has been hidden, was His offer of salvation to all people. This reality, originally unknown to humanity, became crystal clear when Jesus rose from the dead. His resurrection proved that He had power over sin and death and could offer us this power as well.

God’s plan is still hidden to unbelievers.

Unbelievers either refuse to accept God’s plan, choose to ignore it, or simply haven’t heard of it. Jesus was misunderstood and rejected by those whom the world considered wise and great. He was put to death by the Pharisees and Sadducees. This rejection was predicted in Isaiah 53:3 and Zechariah 12:10-11.

Some people today still reject and crucify Jesus in their hearts. He gave His life for us. We cannot imagine all that God has in store for us, both in this life and for eternity.

God will create a new heaven and a new earth. And we will live with Him forever. Until then, His Holy Spirit guides us.

This world is not our home.

Read the Entire Chapter:

1 Corinthians Chapter 2

Additional Reading:
Isaiah Chapter 53
Zechariah Chapter 12