Matthew 11:15  He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

 Two types of ears:

            With our physical ears we hear certain ranges of sound but with the spiritual ear we hear the voice of God. Jesus said about some, hearing they hear not neither do they understand . . .but blessed are your ears for they hear. We don’t hear God in an audible voice (it has happened but is the exception not the norm) but with our spiritual ears through the Spirit dwelling within us  1 Corinthians 2:10-11  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

11  For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

When God called Samuel Samuel thought that it was Eli calling him. It may be that God used a voice that sounded like Eli so Samuel just assumed that there was no one else arou8nd it had to be Eli. Either way God used men and women to speak His words to others  

Matthew 5:48   Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Examples of perfect people:

            Noah – Gen 6:9; Job – Job 1:1; David – Psa 101:2; Asa – 1 Ki 15:14.

 What is the meaning of “perfect”?

            When we hear or use the word perfect we mean without any flaw or sin in any way. However, the words used in both the OT and NT do not carry that meaning. Some translate it as maturity  or mature. While the NT Greek does carry that idea it is not the main force behind the word used. The OT words used do not carry that meaning or mature. The Greek word telios means “complete in various forms” – mental and moral form”. It carries the idea of without blemish or spot but not mature. Mature deals with age and length of growth. Complete deals with nothing out of place in character and moral/spiritual light. (It says Noah was perfect in his generation). Sinless perfection is found only in Christ not man. Paul strived for perfection but acknowledged he had not achieved (Phil 3:12).

What

Mark 16:9  Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

            Mark tells us that when Jesus rose from the dead that He appeared first to Mary Magalene. But when you read the other gospels you wonder just who was next and what was the order of those appearances. So this week I put together a proposed order of resurrection day events. I don’t claim to have it perfect and if you see a flaw or would like to challenge it go ahead and we will agree to disagree (maybe – I may agree with you. )

1. Mary Magdalene, Mary mother of Jesus, Salome and other women approach the sepulcher to anoint Jesus’ body. Matt 28:1; Mk 16:1; Lu 24:1
2. While they are on the way there is an earthquake and the Angel of the Lord rolled back the stone and sat upon it. The guards apparently see him and fall down as dead men or they pass out.
3. The women arrive within sight of the sepulcher, and they see the stone rolled away (but apparently not the angel).

Matthew 28:1-6   In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.

2  And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.

3  His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:

4  And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

5  And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

6  He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

Easter boredom:

            Ther’s an old saying that says: Familiarity breeds contempt. What that means is that if we are around someone so often or do certain things so often that we lose our desire or enjoyment. This happens with many people in their jobs, children, and youth in school and even in marriages. The worst kind of contempt from familiarity is in regards to the

Matthew 21:12-16 (KJV)

12  And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

13  And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

14  And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.

15  And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased,

16  And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

            This Sunday is what is traditionally called Palm Sunday celebrating Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Messages will be preached on the entry, the spreading of palm and other branches in the way and the people shouting and proclaiming Him as the son of David. Something that Jesus did is not

2 Corinthians 11:1-4  Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.

2  For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

3  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

4  For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

Popular Jesus:

The Jesus of most T-shirts, bumper stickers or other “showy” things is not the Jesus of the Bible. The Baby Jesus in the manger at Christmas time or the “buddy” Jesus of Nashville singers, or the “success-counseling Jesus of prosperity/positive preachers. The popular Jesus may be the romantic Jesus of the Christian crooners, the rhythmic Jesus of Christian rock, or the reforming Jesus of liberals. But none of these are the real Jesus preached by Paul that saves people

Luke 18:1  And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

 Various commands/encouragements to pray:

            The Scriptures speak much about praying – don’t give up, without ceasing, pray with all prayer, pray with understanding, don’t use vain repetitions, pray in your closet and etc. Jesus told the parable of the unjust judge to encourage us not to give up praying and petitioning God. Praying is an important part of the Christian’s life and practice.

What hinders our prayers?

            There are numerous things that can prevent us from receiving our petitions or even being heard by God when we pray. Praying with the wrong motives will invite a “no response” from God. Regarding iniquity in our heart will prevent us from being heard (Psa 66:18). Refusing to forgive another will bring us into disfavor and unanswered prayer. Lack of faith and trust in God prevents answers from coming to us (Jam 1:6-7). Spiritual forces can also hinder our prayers and delay their coming to us (Daniel’s answer was hindered for three weeks).

Is there a guaranteed way to pray and receive

Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed

Sickness/infirmities and God’s sovereignty:

            There are reason given in Scripture for sickness, disease and infirmities. In Jn 9:1-3 Jesus plainly declares that the man born blind was born blind for the glory of God in healing him after he had spent years in blindness. God chastens people with sickness, disease or infirmity (Num 12:10; 2 Chron 26:16-20; 2 Ki 5:27; 2 Chron 21:12-19). God also allows/brings infirmities and diseases upon us to humble us and bring us closer to Him (2 Cor 12:7-9; Gen 32:25). There is sickness, disease and infirmities upon the human race because of the fall of man’s original sin in the garden (Gen 2:16-17; Psa 90:10).

            God seems to tell Moses that He made those that are blind, lame and so on (Ex 4:11). He takes credit for them, but did he purposely make them with infirmities or disease? We have to take into consideration the thoughts about why people are affected when we think

2 Thessalonians 2:1-4   Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,

2  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

3  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

4  Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

It appears from these words from Paul that the people in Thessalonica had been told that the Lord had come and they had missed the rapture. There was a lot of trouble and persecution and Paul wrote to tell them some of the order of events that would take place.  Even today there is fear among some true believers about the times we are experiencing. The people of Paul’s day thought they had missed the Lord’s return

Revelation 17:3   So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns.

Revelation 17:16-17   And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.

17  For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.

John was transported in the spirit into the wilderness and he sees a scarlet colored beast having seven heads and ten horns; then he is told that those ten horns represent ten kings & kingdoms that will give their support to the beast.

 Ten horns in prophecy

The dragon is the devil Rev 12:9. The question has been asked thru the years who are these ten kings? Thru the years people have watched with interest when nations started joining the UN and when it reached ten they supposed this would be the ten kings. Then the EU formed and

(Gen 11:1-4)  And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. {2} And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. {3} And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar. {4} And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.

Last week we showed from the account in Genesis of the famine and how people willingly gave over to be enslaved in order to live. Today and in succeeding posts I will show you how this seed of rebellion that began in the people at the Tower of Babel is still infecting men and women today and this is the driving force behind what is happening to us during this time of lies and deception.

The people said they wanted to build a tower that reached into heaven; but it

1 Corinthians 2:14-16 -#;4

14  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

15  But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

16  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. 1  And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

2  I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

3  For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

4  For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

When we say four kinds/types we are not referring to races – there is only one race of people: human and there is variety of colors, designs and other specifics of people. The Bible

Luke 18:9-14  And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

10  Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

11  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

12  I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

13  And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

14  I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Jesus tells this parable to help people see their life and to hopefully bring people into a better understanding of their own self. He tells of two polar opposites – Pharisee and publican. One was religious and strict in adhering to the law and everyday practice. The other was presented as shady

Hebrews 9:27-28   And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

28  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

There are four facts that everyone should seriously consider.

1. The unsaved are condemned Ro 3:23

            The wrath of God abides on them Jn 3:36. When a person dies lost he/she are there forever -- death in this state is forever. To be almost saved is to be totally lost. God’s wrath hovers over sin and sinners like a pending destruction. As an angel of death, God’s wrath awaits the command to strike them down. The angel stood in the way of Balaam with His sword drawn to slay, so every sinner is in jeopardy of being struck by God’s sword of judgment and wrath; at any moment he/she may be cut asunder.

Within the bosom of any/all sinners beats a heart capable of committing any sin because they obey their father (Jn 8:44). There is no restraint from the indwelling Holy Spirit.

1. Everyone faces two inescapable

John 19:22   Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.

These are the words of a previous man who just crucified an innocent man because he did not have the back bone to stand up to the religious leaders of the day. Pilate could have freed Jesus but he did not because the Jewish rulers pressured him into killing Jesus. He had pronounced Jesus innocent; he knew the religious leaders had brought Je us to be crucified because of their jealousy, envy and insecurity. These religious leaders knew Pilate’s insecurity as well. They said, “If you do not kill Him (Jesus) you are no friend to Caesar. Jn 19:12. Pilate did not want any word of a man claiming to be king being set free. Then after he had Jesus crucified, he wrote the superscription over Jesus on the cross Jn 19:19-22. Pilate was angry with the religious rulers and refused to change the title over Jesus. He stood be what he wrote and his words are fitting for us today as we enter into a new year – what we have written, we have written.

We can all think of things we would do differently

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.

            This time of year we celebrate the birth of the Savior – Jesus Christ. Isaiah has some portraits about Him and I want to look at them now.;

Wonderful Counselor

            Some translations put these two words together – Wonderful Counselor. The Authorized Version makes them two separate names. Either gives us a beautiful picture of Christ.. Wonderful means miracle and this verse speaks of Christ coming in human form in this earth. Christ’s conception was the true miracle but His birth was a natural birth like any other child born – except this Child was the Son of God. He performed many miracles while on earth – you could say He went from one miracle to another.

            If you make wonderful an adjective of Counselor you have a miracle counselor. One who gives guidance or resolve to the problems of people He helped.  We could truly say Jesus’ counsel was miraculous in nature (

1 Samuel 30:1-5   And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;

2  And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way.

3  So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives.

4  Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.

5  And David's two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.

We’ve all had times when everything that could went wrong. The days we are living in now seem like we are in a tunnel with no light at the end – seems like there is no end. Just when we think things are going to turn around they do a 180 and we’re back in crisis again. The way we handle or

Mark 1:6   And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;

Wild man:

            At times we get the impression that John the Baptist was thought of as a “wild man” because how he dressed and the description of his life and diet (Matt 3:4), similar to Elijah (2 Ki 1:8). We think that maybe he was the laughing stock or one that received much ridicule for this lifestyle. But quite the opposite seems to be the case. The people revered him and thought perhaps he might be Elijah (Jn 1:21). Some even thought he was the Messiah or “that prophet” that was prophesied should come (Deut 18:18).

            John’s preaching and baptism of repentance for the remission of sins was not ridiculed or rejected either because we see not only common people coming to him, but also publican, soldiers, priests and Levites as well as Pharisees and Sadducees (Lu 3: 3, 10, 12, 14; Jn 1:19; Matt 3:7). We know many did repent and were baptized.

            Far from lacking a credible

Mark 6:48  And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.

 Wind is a part of this life. Jesus used the wind as a symbol of the Spirit’s moving and re-generating those who come to Christ for salvation. Wind was used to symbolize the coming Holy Spirit. But wind is also used in nature as a destructive force – such as in the death of Job’s children. Wind (breath) was used to bring man into a living soul. Wind can be good but if the wind is contrary to us it can make things difficult. The disciples’ experienced contrary winds Just as we do by times. There are things/events in lie that represent contrary winds to our progress.

Betrayal

We have all experienced it – it can be surprising and painful. Jesus was not surprised by Judas’ betrayal, but we're often taken by surprise when we are betrayed by someone. It is most painful when it is someone we love and trusted (Psa 55:12-14). Judas used the symbol of love

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

 Three terms to be thankful for:

            When we think of being thankful for this great salvation there are three Biblical terms that when we understand, we should become very thankful. Why did Jesus come in the flesh? To teach us? To heal us? Chiefly He came to die for our sins. There are three words that explain this great salvation bought for us by Christ -- propitiation, justification and redemption.

Propitiation:

            The word propitiation is given to us in three passages – Rom 3:25; 1 Jn 2:2; 3:10. (This is a religious term). This is what Jesus did for us in relation to God the Father. It is a term that comes from the pagan world of religion. The pagans recognized that they sinned and that there was a judgment to come.  If they did not appease the anger of the god(s) in some way the gods would get them. So in order to appease the gods, they would offer a sacrifice. If they did something really bad (murder) they would offer a big sacrifice but if it was little then a small sacrifice. This is