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Outline of Chapters SIX through Nine
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2. Alms means: Any thing given gratuitously to relieve the poor, as money, food, or clothing, otherwise called charity.
3. Example: "And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms." (Acts 3:2-3 KJB).
4. The Hebrew word is "Mitzvah" signifying a good work.
B. The King's Instructions For A "Mitzvah":
1. The citizens of the kingdom were not to make a big show when giving their alms.
2. The penalty for "showing off" in the giving of alms would be that the Father would not reward them.
3. Please note again: the concept is Jewish in nature.
4. In the church age we give because we love, not so we will be rewarded. Reward for good works is strictly a Jewish concept.
(Kingdom of Heaven).
C. The King's Evaluation Of Hypocrites Giving:
1. Don't act like the hypocrites do by sounding a trumpet when they do their good work.
2. Since they give their alms to be seen of men, they will have their reward from the men who congratulate them for their good works. Therefore, God will not reward them.
D. The King Will Reward Those Who Give Alms Properly: Verses 3-4.
2. If the citizens of the Kingdom give their alms in secret, then the Father who sees their secret giving will reward them openly before men: v. 4.
3. Please remember, the Father rewards the Church Age saints at the Judgment Seat of Christ, not before men here on earth. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." (2 Corinthians 5:10 KJB).
E. The King's Instructions For Prayer In The Kingdom:
1. Do not stand up in public and pray before men whether it be in the synagogues or on the street corners: v. 5. Those that do will have their reward from men not the Father.
2. Do pray secretly in your closet citizen of the Kingdom: verse 6: If they do pray secretly, the Father will see their secret praying and reward them openly before men in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Things different are not the same.
3. Do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do thinking they will be heard for their much speaking: verse 7. Hindus' put a prayer on a wheel and then keep turning the wheel. They also will put a prayer on a banner and let it flutter in the wind. Each flutter of the paper is a repetition of the prayer.
Others will get a string of beads and endlessly repeat the same prayers as they fumble their beads to count how many times they have repeated the same prayer over and over and over again. See 1 Kings 18:25-29.
It is interesting to note that the Lord Jesus Christ prayed 3 times for the cup to pass from Him in the Garden. The Father said, "No" and that settled it. Matthew 26:44. Paul prayed 3 times for the thorn in his flesh to be removed. God said, "No" and that settled it for Paul. 2 Corinthians 12:8.
4. Do remember your Father knows what you need before you ask Him: verse 8. This truth applies to any time period.
F. The King Gives A Sample Kingdom Of Heaven Prayer: verses 9-13
2. "After this manner therefore pray ye"? The King is talking to Hebrews who are looking for the Kingdom of Heaven.
3. "Our Father which are in heaven":
Note further: I am convinced this point is mute at best. One would have to consider: Which of the two prayers, in that they were mouthed by our Lord, wasn't the Lord's prayer? The theology and doctrine of the two differ. However, both were our Lord's prayers.
b. Note how the King addressed God in prayer: "0 my Father" in Matthew 26:39, 42. In the prayer that Jesus prayed in the Garden which is "The Lord's Prayer" is addressed to God as "Father": John 17:21; & John 17:24; "0 Father" John 17:5; "Holy Father" John 17:11; "0 righteous Father" John 17:25. When He raised Lazarus, He prayed, "Father" John 11:41.
c. In the church age it is perfectly acceptable to address God as "Our Father. " "Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord." (1 Timothy 1:2 KJB). The chain of command in the order of our praying is: Our Father in Heaven, we come in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and through the Holy Spirit.
d. "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;" 1 Timothy 2:5. We do not pray to Mary, the apostles, the saints or any other creatures.
4. "Hallowed be thy name": verse 9
b. "Neither shall ye profane my holy name; but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel: I am the LORD which hallow you," (Leviticus 22:32 KJB).
c. Scripture forbids calling any religious leader "Father. " "And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." Matthew 23:9.
d. It is pure blasphemy to call any man such as a pope, "Holy Father. "This is the sacred name reserved by the Lord Jesus Christ for the Father. John 17:11.
5. "Thy kingdom come" verse 10 a
b. The Kingdom of God (spiritual kingdom) is here now. We pray for the rapture to come today, and take the Kingdom of God to Heaven. The Kingdom of Heaven will not come until after the seven year tribulation period.
c. We could not bring in the Kingdom of Heaven in 2005 if we prayed all night.
6. "Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven" verse 10 b.
b. When the King comes back and sets up the Kingdom of Heaven, then the King's will shall be done in earth as it is in Heaven, but not before.
c. You might ask, "Is it wrong to pray the Lord's Prayer as it is called, today?" It is never wrong to pray, but we must pray intelligently. Example: you would hardly ask God to accept the blood of a lamb to cleanse away your sins in 2005. To do so would reveal a woeful lack of Bible knowledge or understanding.
7. "Give us this day our daily bread." verse 11
b. The Lord will answer by sending manna from Heaven as He did when the Jews needed food in their wilderness journey. (See Exodus 16:14-22; Micah 7:14; Psalm 105:40; Cf. Comments on Psalm 105 Jeremiah 50:19 and Revelation 12:6.
c. Can we ask God for food in 2005? Of course. If for some reason we cannot get food and are hungry, by all means ask the Lord to supply it and He will. "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19.
8. "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors" verse 12.
b. Obviously this will occur in the Kingdom of Heaven period. This is in no way a principle of forgiveness by God in 2005. The Christian in the church age is forgiven of his sins because he acknowledges them, repents of them and then asks God to forgive him on the basis of the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. "(l John 1:9 KJB).
c. In the church age, we forgive others because we have already been forgiven by the Lord. We don't forgive so that we may be forgiven. "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:32 KJB).
9. "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." verse 13a.
b. The first use is concerning Israel and their time of testing in the wilderness. "Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:" (Psalms 95:8 KJB).
c. The last use of the word is found in Revelation 3:10, "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth."
d. The King must be asking His people to pray that they will not be led into the terrible time of testing that will come upon the world during the Tribulation Period.
e. They are to pray that they will be delivered from the time of evil. The evil present then will be beyond anything we can imagine today.
f. In the church age we have a wonderful promise from the Lord in 1 Corinthians 10:13, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
10. "For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever." Amen. verse 13 b
b. He speaks of the coming Kingdom of Heaven together with its power and glory which will be eternal.
c. The coming of His great Kingdom is given to us in prophecy in Daniel 2:34-35; Daniel 7:9-14; together with the fulfillment in Revelation 19:11-16
d. The word "Amen" means: "So be it."
G. The King Again Describes The Terms For Forgiveness: verses 14-15.
b. Positive: if you will forgive men their trespasses then the Father will also forgive you. c. Negative: if you forgive not men their trespasses, then the Father will not forgive your trespasses. d. We concluded in our study of verse 12 that the Church Age basis for forgiveness is based on love after God in His grace has forgiven us without any requirements except acknowledgment of our sins, repenting of them and then asking God's forgiveness. e. Review the study under verse 12 together with the references given so you will see the differences in Kingdom of Heaven forgiveness and Kingdom of God forgiveness. f. Remember: things different are not the same. Matthew Chapter Six
The King Continues His Constitution
A. What Is Fasting?:
2. In Acts 9:9 we read of an Absolute Fast where for three days Saul "neither did eat nor drink." The abstinence from both food and water seems to have lasted no more than three days (Ezra 10:6; Esther 4:16). 3. The Partial Fast in Daniel 10:3 the emphasis is upon the restriction of diet rather than complete abstinence. The context implies that there were physical benefits resulting from this Partial fast. However, this verse indicates that there was a revelation given to Daniel as a result of this time of fasting. Fasting is the laying aside of food for a period of time when the believer is seeking to know God in a deeper experience. It is to be done as an act before God in the privacy of one's own pursuit of God (Exodus 34:28; 1 Samuel 7:6; 1 Kings 19:8; Matthew 6:17).
2. Fasting is both an Old Testament. act and a NT act. This means that it is for the church age and well as other ages. For example: Paul fasted, "In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness." (2 Corinthians 11:27 KJB). 3. Fasting is a serious, heartfelt desire to bring a problem to God for His answer. Cf. David fasting and pleading with God that his baby boy would live, "David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth." 2 Samuel 12:16. 4. Fasting was not commanded by God in either Testament, but rather was an optional action based upon how seriously you wanted God to do something. 5. The religious world's Lenten fasting for the most Part, is a religious farce. Billy Sunday described Lenten fasting as giving up some sin temporarily so you could once again begin living like the devil when Lent was over. 6. This is not what the Bible teaches about fasting.
B. The King's Rules For Fasting: 1. Fasting as done by the hypocrites: verse 16:
b. They are pretending they are fasting before God, but it really is to cause men to take notice and applaud them for their religious work. c. Note the expression, "appear unto men to fast. "The thought is that they are not abstaining from food at all, but merely are pretending to get attention. d. They will get nothing from God since they are doing it for show Since they are putting on a show for man, then from man they will get their reward (the attention they are seeking), but they will get nothing from the Lord for their pretense. 2. Fasting that will get God's Attention: verses 17-18:
b. The result will be the Lord will reward you openly and nobody will know why you received the answer to prayer: verse 18. Example: "Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshiped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat." (2 Samuel 12:20 KJB).
3. Note: God despises religious actions that are merely for show and the applause of man. If men applaud them, that is the only reward they will get. Certainly, they will get nothing from the Lord.
C. The King's Laws Concerning Riches: 1. Do not lay up for yourself treasures on the earth: v. 19.
b. Read the story of the rich farmer: Luke 12:16-21. c. He had everything he wanted, but he did not have what he needed to meet God. He was prepared to live, but he was not prepared to die. d. He was rich in the eyes of man, but he was a fool in the eyes of God. 2. Lay up treasures in heaven: verse 20.
b. This truth is not only for the Kingdom of Heaven period, but applies to the Kingdom of God as well. c. "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory (Colossians 3:1-4 KJB). 3. An eternal truth: verse 21:
4. These facts apply to the citizens of both kingdoms.
D. The King's Laws Concerning Our Eyes: 1. The eye has been described as the window to the soul. 2. Light in the Bible is likened to the Lord or the things of the Lord. Darkness is likened to sin, evil and the things of Satan. 3. "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." (John 3:19-20 KJB). 4. "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1:6-7 KJB). 5. The light of the body is the eye, verse 22, (The Single Eye):
b. If we keep our eye on The Light of the World, (The Lord Jesus Christ and the things of the Lord) then our whole body will be full of light. c. Job had made a covenant with his eyes, Job 31:1. That is, he would not look on anything that was evil. d. If we fasten our eyes on the things of the Lord, (the single eye, verse 22) then our bodies will be filled with light (righteousness, the things of the Lord). 6. The evil eye: verse 23:
b. "Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:" (2 Peter 2:14 KJB). c. David learned the terrible lesson of having "evil eyes." He said after his awful sin, "I will set no wicked thing before 'nine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me." (Psalms 101:3 KJB). d. If we allow evil to come through our eyes, then our whole body will be full of darkness: verse 23. e. Note how expressive is the Lord's analysis: If the "light" which we allow to pass through our eyes is "darkness" (sin, evil, ungodliness), then our entire bodies will be filled with darkness. f. The first thing God told Israel to destroy when they entered into the Promised Land was to destroy all of the heathen pictures. g. "Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places:" (Numbers 33:52 KJB). h. In these last days, television, movies and the entire pornographic industry are helping to destroy the people of the world with the darkness of the light they are shining into the eyes of the soul.
E. The King's Laws Concerning Service: 1. No man can serve two masters. 2. The two masters you can choose to serve:
b. The god named mammon. Mammon was the Syrian god of riches. 3. We can choose to serve our Creator:
b. "And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head." (Luke 9:58 KJB). 4. Humans can choose to serve the god of riches:
b. Men can choose to serve the god of mammon. This god will pay his servants well in earthly rewards. c. Those who serve the god of riches will pay the price of eternal loss. d. "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:36-38 KJB). e. "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." (1 Timothy 6:10 KJB). f. The final word on the subject is, you can't serve both God and mammon. You can't have two masters. They both demand control over us. The person who tries will end up loving the one and hating the other. One alone can be our master. g. Note the last two subjects will apply to both the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God.
F. The King's Promises To Care For His Subjects: Verses 25-28; Verses 29-32;
b. We have the same promises in the Kingdom of God Age. We, too, are to trust our Savior to take care of our every need which He has promised to do. c. "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 KJB. d. "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7 KJB. 2. An example of the King's Care: verse 26
b. They make no provision by planting, harvesting or storing food in barns. It is interesting that other animals store up food, but He specifically mentions fowls of the air who do not. c. The King assures His subjects that their heavenly Father feeds them. See Matthew 10:29-31. d. The King's question, "Are you not better than a bird?" The answer, of course, is "yes." e. Remember, this same illustration applies in the Kingdom of God Age. 3. An example of our helplessness: verse 27
b. The King assures His subjects that it is useless to worry about material things. They are to trust in their King Who will never fail them. c. This also applies to the Kingdom of God Age. 4. The King's care for the lilies of the field: verses 28-29.
b. They merely grow where they are planted and bloom where they are located. So should we. This is true for both Kingdoms. c. Conclusion: Solomon, who was the richest man in the world of his day, could not cloth himself with garments as beautiful as the lilies of the field: verse 29 d. Note: the lilies of the field will produce beautiful flowers no matter where they are. They are just as beautiful if they are located in an obscure place or whether they are located where millions can see them. What a lesson for us? 5. The King's care for grass: verse 30
b. "And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full. Deuteronomy 11:15. c. Our lives are as grass: "For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you." 1 Peter 1:24-25 KJB. d. Conclusions: Since all of this is true, the King's subjects are not to worry about what they are going to wear. The King will see to their well-being. e. The King's subjects with little faith in Him and in His concern for their welfare. (verse 30). f. This is the first use of faith in the NT. The word "faith" is found two times only in the Old Testament. The first time is where God's people have no faith, Deuteronomy 32:20, "And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith. " The second and only other time faith is found in the Old Testament. is in Habakkuk 2:4. g. The word "faith" is found 245 times in NT. 6. The King's Conclusions Concerning Needs: Verses 31-32.
b. The King will provide these for His people Israel as He did in the Old Testament days, especially in the wilderness journeys. Deuteronomy 29:5. c. Don't be like the Gentiles who seek after food, drink and clothes, all the things the King provides for His people, Israel: verse 32 d. Your Heavenly Father knows all the things you really need that are important. Have faith in Him.
G. The King Reveals What His Subjects Are To Seek:
1. Note, they are to seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. This if the first mention of the Kingdom of God in the NT. 2. Once again let me point out that the Kingdom of God is the spiritual kingdom. The Kingdom of Heaven is the physical, literal kingdom with a visible King. 3. The subjects in the new Kingdom of Heaven are to seek more than their own righteousness which is based upon their good works. They are to seek the righteousness that will be revealed by the King following His death, burial and resurrection. 4. Paul compares the two righteousnesses: 5. "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)Romans 10:1-6. 6. Study the above verses carefully to see the difference between the righteousness found in the old Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God (the spiritual kingdom entered by the new birth ? John 3:1-7). 7. Study carefully the following verses: 8. "Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead. ) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Romans 10:8-10 KJB. 9. Note: in the Kingdom of God, righteousness comes by believing. In the Kingdom of Heaven, righteousness comes by believing and working. Please look at Matthew 6:33. For the first time in the NT it is revealed that the Jew must seek the righteousness that come by faith in Christ in the New Kingdom of Heaven. He also must keep the commandments that God had given them (something that the Kingdom of God saints are not required to do.) 10. Note the following verse which challenges the Jew to do two things in preparation for the Kingdom of Heaven ministry with their earthly, literal reign of the King, the Lord Jesus Christ. 11. "And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Revelation 14:11-12 KJB. 12. Notice the context is the Tribulation Period after the Kingdom of God saints have been raptured to heaven. 13. These Jewish subjects who are looking for the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven must prepare by doing two things: Keep the commands of God and the faith of Jesus. 14. First, they must be ready to keep the "Sermon on the Mount" which will be the Jews' constitution for the Kingdom of Heaven. Second, they must have the righteousness of God which is by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 15. Here we see the two Kingdoms merge. The spiritual kingdom (Kingdom of God) and the physical kingdom (The Kingdom of Heaven. ) 16. That is why the Jews are commanded to seek first the Kingdom of God in Matthew 6:33. They must have spiritual righteousness which comes through Christ, plus the physical righteousness which will come by keeping the laws we are studying in Matthew Chapters 5-7. 17. We see then that the Kingdom of God (spiritual righteousness) and the Kingdom of Heaven (physical obedience to laws of the kingdom) merge when the King returns to set up His Kingdom. 18. If you thoroughly understand the principles of these two Kingdom, you will have mastered one of the greatest guide lines you will ever need to rightly dividing the word of God.
H. The King Sums Up The Worry Problem:
2. Remember, as they go through the tribulation period, they must live one day at a time. Their physical lives will not be worth a "plugged nickel" to the world. They will not be able to buy bread (See Matthew 6:11), clothes, or anything to drink. Revelation 13:17. 3. In fact, the Jews plight will be so horrific, that Gentle Participation in the earthly Kingdom Of Heaven will depend upon their willingness to help the Jews. 4. Please read Matthew 25:31-46 carefully and prayerfully. 5. In our verse under study, verse 34, they are told not to think about tomorrow The evil they will face day by day will be sufficient without worrying about tomorrow See Matthew 24:15-26. 6. Once again we remind you that many of these truths apply to the church age saints during the Kingdom of God period. 7. Please see James 4:13-17.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ MATTHEW CHAPTER SEVEN
Part One: Verses 1 - 12
For The Kingdom Of Heaven
2. "Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet." 1 Corinthians 15:24-25 KJB. 3. "But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us." (Luke 19:14 KJB). Applies to first and second advents. 4. "But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me." Luke 19:27 KJB. Please read the entire parable: Luke 19:11-27. 5. "Blessed and holy is he that hath Part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years." (Revelation 20:6 KJB). 6. Citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven who judge the King, His actions or those who are reigning with the King will receive the same judgment and punishment that is equal to the nature of their crime of judgment: verse 2 7. If a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven will say, "I think the King should be killed with a sword," according to verse 2, "that man will die by the sword with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." v. 2 8. "And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God." Revelation 19:15. 9. Review the study of Matthew 5:19-30.
B. What The King Is Not Teaching: Verses. 1-2
2. The verses do not apply to Church Age Saints. 3. Notice the charges to saints in 2005:
b. "Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right? (Luke 12:57 KJB). c. "Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?" 1 Corinthians 6:3 KJB d. "Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?" 1 Corinthians 6:2 KJB. 4. The judgment by the saints: verse 1
b. We are to judge the fruit in the life of a fellow human by the infallible word of God: 1 Thessalonians 5:21; John 17:17. c. We are to judge sinful actions: Cf. Peter speaking to Simon who claimed to be a believer and was baptized by Peter, "Thou hast neither Part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity." (Acts 8:21-23 KJB). d. We are to judge the religious unsaved: "Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you." Acts 17:22-23 KJB. e. We are to judge false teachers and expose them: "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction." (2 Peter 2:1 KJB). "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." Romans 16:18 KJB 5. Saints in the Kingdom of God age are not judged according to the standards given in verse 2. 6. We are measured by the standard of love and grace, not law. We do not get what we deserve. We do not receive judgment from our Lord based on the character of our actions. (I am not talking about the law of sowing and reaping: Galatians 6:7-8). This law applies to any age. 7. For fuller detail read Romans 14:1-23. This shows the relationship between judging and love in the Kingdom of God age. C. The King Continues The Subject of Judging: Verses 3-5:
2. The King is dealing with hypocrites in His kingdom: verse 5 3. NOTE, A small Particle; any thing proverbially small; a spot; like a speck of sand. 4. Beam: A large piece of lumber. 5. The King's first illustration: verse 3, (Note: Luke 6:41-42; Romans 2:1; Romans 2:21; 1 Corinthians 10:12; Galatians 6:1) Why do you call attention to the speck of sand in your fellow citizen's eye when you have a telephone pole in your own eye? 6. The King's second illustration: verse 4, Why do you say to your brother (a fellow Jew), "let me get that little speck of sand out of your eye," when you have a telephone pole in your own eye. 7. The King's Application: verse 5
b. You who are playing a Part that is not real, "Get the telephone pole out of your own eye and then you can see clearly to get the little speck of sand out of your brother's eye. c. The truth is so clear any one can see it. The King is irritated with a pretender who can see everyone else's little faults when all the time his faults are as a telephone pole in comparison to a speck of sand. d. Conclusion: you have enough trouble trying to take care of your own problems without trying to make an issue out of other people's problems. e. Clean up your own dirty backyard before you begin criticizing the piece of paper in your brother's yard. f. Church age truth: "But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters." (1 Peter 4:15). "For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies." (2 Thessalonians 3:11 KJB). "And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not." (1 Timothy 5:13 KJB). Note: removers travel in some bad company
D. The King's Warning Concerning Holy Things: Verse 6.
b. Dogs: Wicked men who will destroy Holy Things. "But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs." (Mark 7:27 "Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision." (Philippians 3:2 KJB). "For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whore mongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie." (Revelation 22:15 KJB). "But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. (2 Peter 2:22, KJB). c. Pearls: God's people. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, see king goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it." Matthew 13:46 KJB. d. Swine: Devil possessed men or women who are false teachers or false prophets: "Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked." Luke 8:33. "But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire." (2 Peter 2:22 KJB). 2. Application:
b. Do not subject God's holy people to devil possessed swine (either men or women). c. The entire chapter of 2 Peter 2 is given over to discussing false prophets and false teachers concluding by calling them dogs (his) or sows (her) wallowing in their own vomit or pig wallow d. Please read the entire chapter two of 2 Peter 2. e. "But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;" (2 Peter 2:12 KJB). f. "Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:" (2 Peter 2:14 KJB). g. "For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage." (2 Peter 2:19 KJB). 3. More Applications:
b. Israel was caught up in idol worship even sacrificing their children to the god, Baal. c. "There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer." (Deuteronomy 18:10-11 KJB). d. Israel disobeyed God and sacrificed their precious children to the wicked heathen idols. "And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger." 2 Kings 17:17 KJB. e. These temptations will once again lure Israel to give that which is holy to the "dogs" and "swine" of the devil's religion during the tribulation period preceding the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven. f. In the church age (2005), we see ecumenical evangelists turning their converts over to the Great Whore of Revelation 17. g. Both men and women are sacrificed on the altar of expediency as religious leaders, both dogs and swine, are trampling under their feet that which is precious in the sight of God. h. "Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (Hebrews 10:29 KJB).
E. The King Gives More Help On Prayer: Verses 7-11 ; See Luke 11:1-13
1. The first thing to note about these Five verses on prayer. (Verses 7 - 11) is that they are Jewish prayers directed to the Heavenly Father. Cf. Matthew 6:8, "your Father" and Matthew 6:8, "Our Father." 2. Please review material about the "Disciples Prayer" given in Matthew 6:9-13. 3. Once again I will remind you that Christians can glean wonderful truth for our day from these verses (Matthew 7:7-11). However, we are emphasizing the fact that the Book of Matthew deals with the King and His Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, we keep the emphasis on that subject without closing the door of the Luke notes at this time. 4. Picture once again the Jews in the Tribulation Period, starving to death because they cannot buy any food ? Revelation 13:17. Review this subject in our previous study of prophecy, " The Almighty's New World Order." They were instructed by the King to pray to the Father as given in Matthew 6:9-13. In our current verses, they are encouraged to pray to the Father for their daily bread. He will answer them with manna from Heaven, plus a miraculous means for other food and water. See studies on Matthew 6:9-13 for proof verses. 5. The King gives His subjects an acrostic to remember: A? ask S? seek K?knock 6. First, they are to ask their Heavenly Father for food: verse 7. They are assured that it will be given to them v 7. The Old Testament. promise: "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. " (Isaiah 55:1 KJB). 7. Second, they are to seek the Lord verse 7. They are assured they will find Him v. 7. Note Old Testament. promise: "Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:" (Isaiah 55:6 KJB). 8. Third, they are to knock ? verse 7. They are assured that God's storehouse will be opened to them v. 7. "Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call." (knock). (Psalms 20:9 KJB). "In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me." (Psalms 86:7 KJB). "And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." Isaiah 65:24 KJB. 9. The promised is repeated in verse 8. If you ask you will receive; if you seek you will find; if you knock it will be opened to you. 10. Note the human father and son relationship with the Heavenly Father and His children: verse 9. 11. If a son asks his father for a piece of bread will that father give him a stone? verse 9. The answer: "Of course not." Implied truth: Then be sure that your Father in Heaven will not be so cruel, but will give what is needed. 12. If a son asks his father for a fish, will that father give his son a serpent? verse 10. The answer: "Of course not." Then you can know that your Father in Heaven will give fish rather than a serpent. 13. Luke adds a third item, Luke 11:12. If a son asks his father for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? Answer: "Of course not." Then you can be sure that your Heavenly Father will not give a scorpion for an egg. 14. The Conclusions: verse 11:
b. Yet, "evil" human fathers give their children good gifts. c. The logical conclusion? verse 11: Therefore, your Heavenly Father will give abundantly more of the good things to them who ask Him. 15. What unspeakable joy this will be to God's children, Israel, as they suffer beyond description under the antichrist. 16. "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." Jeremiah 33:3 KJB. 17. Be sure and claim your promises also, son of God. "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him." 1 John 5:15 KJB.
F. The Famous Or Infamous Golden Rule: verse 12
2. To the "Sermon On The Mount" keepers, this verse misapplied is their plan of salvation. When asked if they are saved, they answer, "Well, I just keep the Golden Rule. I do unto others as I want them to do unto me." 3. You will find no place in the Bible where any verse is called the "Golden Rule." 4. Notice the verse heading that is found in your Scofield Bible. It is called the "Summary of Old Testament Righteousness." (Matt. 7:12, note.). 5. Notice the verse says, (last line of verse 12) "for this is the law and the prophets." 6. "And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it." (Luke 16:15-16 KJB). 7. Rather than a NT plan of salvation, the King Himself says that it summarized the Old Testament. law and teaching of the Old Testament prophets. The Old Testament prophets ended with John the Baptist as the King said in Luke 16:16 which was the Old Testament. Kingdom of Heaven period. After the last Old Testament prophet, John the Baptist, we are moving into the Kingdom of God age. 8. The two are not the same. In fact, they are as far apart as the east is from the west.
9. Understanding the difference between the Kingdom of Heaven (either past or future) and the Kingdom of God will go a long way to helping you understand the entire Bible. Get these two confused and you will never get your Bible teaching straight.
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MATTHEW CHAPTER SEVEN
2. For example: Adam and Eve. They could walk with the Lord or they could walk with the Devil. 3. For example: (Old Testament).
b. "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Proverbs 14:12 KJB. c. "The way of life is above to the wise, that he may de Part from hell beneath." (Proverbs 15:24 KJB). d. "And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death." (Jeremiah 21:8 KJB). 4. For example: (NT).
b. "We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error." 1 John 4:6 KJB. 5. Both Old Testament. & NT Jews were familiar with gates:
b. Homes had gates. Walled cities had gates. The Tabernacle had gates. The old city of Jerusalem had gates. Solomon's temple had gates. Ezra's rebuilt walls of Jerusalem and the temple had gates. c. Not only that, but some of these gates were strait (narrow) while others were wide. The Jews would have understood immediately what the King was teaching since they dealt with the two gates every day. 6. The Devil's Tribulation temple will have gates:
7. The Millennial city and temple will have gates. "Then said the LORD unto me; This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the LORD, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut. It is for the prince; the prince, he shall sit in it to eat bread before the LORD; he shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate, and shall go out by the way of the same." (Ezekiel 44:2-3 KJB). (Ezekiel, chapter 44 is entitled, "The gate for the prince." 8. The New Jerusalem will have gates: "And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:" (Revelation 21:12 KJB). 9. The Eternal City will have gates: "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." (Revelation 22:14 KJB). 10. How do these two gates relate to the King, His citizens and the New Kingdom of Heaven?
b. The sheep are separated from the goats. It will be the sheep who will enter into the Millennial Reign of The King in His Kingdom of Heaven. Children will be born to the "sheep" citizens of the Kingdom. c. They will not necessarily love the King or be willing to serve Him ? in the illustration, they will become the "goats" who will rebel against the King when Satan is loosed from the bottomless pit at the end of the 1,000 year reign of the King.
d. With this background we can see that during the Kingdom of Heaven age (1,000 year reign of the King), great numbers of people will be forced to do what the King tells them, but they will hate the King in their hearts. When they get the chance they will rebel against the King, led by Satan. e. Now then, notice we have the two ways set before the citizens of the new Kingdom of Heaven, just as there have been two ways to live since the time of Adam and Eve. f. There will be a strait gate: verse 13-14 g. There will be a wide gate: SRB Verse 13; verse 13 ? SRB, Page 1004 h. There will be a broad way that will lead to destruction. This way is the way of rebellion against the King and a refusal to follow the King's laws. i. There will be a strait gate and a narrow road that leads to life, verse 14 j. The citizens of the New Kingdom of Heaven must make their choice as to which gate they enter and upon which road they travel. k. The King's way leads to eternal life on the new earth. The other way leads to destruction or Hell.
B. The King Warns Of False Prophets: verses 15-20.
2. Rather than go through a lengthy detailed description of false teachers in any age, and most certainly the Church Age, I will confine my comments to the New Kingdom of Heaven Age. 3. Notice: the citizens of the New Kingdom of Heaven are required to be able to judge whether a man is a false prophet or not. Please review the remarks made about Matthew 7:1-2 showing that this is not a command under which the false teachers can hide by saying, "Now, don't judge me. Remember you are not to judge." They twist the Scriptures to keep people from exposing their false teaching.
C. The King Identifies The False Prophets: verse 15.
2. They act like sheep: verse 15. The dirty, rabid rascals make a pretense of being a sheep and cover up their deadly teaching under the pretext of being good teachers.
D. The King Reveals How To Spot "Wolves": Verse 16.
b. Figs do not come from thistle bushes: v. 16 c. Therefore, a wolf in sheep's clothing cannot bring forth grapes or figs? only thorns and thistles. d. A false teacher (wolf) in the new Kingdom of Heaven must be judged by what he is teaching and the results. If he denies the "Sermon on the Mount" teaching, plus all the laws and commandments that the King has set forth, then he is a wolf and must be reported to the King to be put to death. "But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands:" 2 Samuel 23:6 KJB. e. The King will rule with a rod of iron. "And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father." (Revelation 2:27 KJB). f. He will be a military dictator who will punish wolves in the lake of fire in the land of Edom. Study carefully Isaiah 34:1-10.
E. The King Defines The False Teacher: Verse 17 .
2. A corrupt teacher (wolf) will be as a corrupt tree. He can only bring forth evil fruit? poisonous fruit that will bring forth death to the "eater"? the one who listens. "And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire." (Matthew 3:10 KJB).
F. The King Describes The Two Trees: verse 18-20.
b. He cannot bring forth evil fruit (false teaching and insurrection against the King and His subjects.
b. He cannot bring forth good fruit since he is as a rabid wolf with his heart set against the King, His commandments and His programs for the world. c. Obviously, he cannot provide good teaching (good fruit) since he is a wolf who hates his King. 3. The punishment for the corrupt tree: verse 19
b. Punishment: (for being a corrupt tree and a rabid wolf). All will be cut down (exposed as a false teacher). Not only will he be exposed (cut down as a corrupt tree or exposed as a rabid wolf), but he will be cast into the fire in Edom. "For it is the day of the Lord's vengeance, and the year of recompenses for the controversy of Zion. And the streams thereof shall be turned into pitch, and the dust thereof into brimstone, and the land thereof shall become burning pitch." (Isaiah 34:8-9 KJB). 4. The Conclusion: verse 20:
b. They will know whether or not a man is a wolf in sheep's clothing or a corrupt tree by what he teaches. c. All such "enemies" must be exposed and dealt with. d. They will be put in the Lake of Fire in Edom. 5. Exposing the "wolves" and "corrupt trees" is God's command in all dispensations.
b. NT: False prophets must be marked and avoided: "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them." (Romans 16:17 KJB). "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction." (2 Peter 2:1 KJB).
6. Summary of False Prophets: Verses 15-20.
b. They look like grapes, but they are really "thorns." c. They look like figs, but they are "thistles." d. They look like a good tree, but they are "corrupt." e. They look like good fruit, but they are "rotten." f. They look like wheat, but they are "tares." But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way" (Matthew 13:25 KJB) g. They look like refreshing rain clouds, but they are clouds without water. See 2 Peter 2:17 h. They look clean and wholesome, but they are spots and blemishes. See 2 Peter 2:13-14; Jude 12-13. i. They speak with great words, but they are vain.
G. The King Further Describes False Teachers: Verses 21-23.
b. This is Part of their fair speeches: Romans 16:18. c. They will claim to prophesy in the Name of the Lord: verse 22. See Deuteronomy 17:20-22. d. They will pretend that they cast out devils in the Name of the Lord: verse 22. Please read Scofield's note at the bottom of page 1004. This is a good article other than it identifies "devils" as "demons. " There are no such creatures as demons in the Bible. They are found only in man's crude mythology. e. They will pretend that they have done many wonderful works in the Name of the Lord: verse 22. 2. How The King will respond to their pretense: Verses 21, 23
b. The King will then profess that He never knew them, verse 23. This does not contradict the omniscience of God.
c. Those who deny the truth of eternal salvation in the church age, use this verse to teach you can lose your salvation. Obviously, if the Lord never knew them, they could not possibly be saved, then lost. d. Notice how God in other places uses the expression about knowing only certain people. "You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities." Amos 3:2 KJB. e. Notice how false teachers can operate in any age as though they are the Lord's servants doing His work. "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works." (2 Corinthians 11:13-15 KJB). f. Notice how false prophets operated in the Old Testament.: "Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart" Jeremiah 14:14 KJB. g. In the context of our study, these false teachers are denied entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven at the close of the Tribulation period. It could also refer to false teachers that could arise during the Kingdom of Heaven period.
H. The King Sums Up His Kingdom Of Heaven Message: Verses 24-27.
2. His is now completing His constitution for the New Kingdom of Heaven program when He comes back as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. "And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS." (Revelation 19:16). 3. "And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one." Zechariah 14:9. For a clearer picture of the Kingdom of Heaven days, please read all of Zechariah Chapter 14. A serious student of prophecy will want to review, Notes 1 & 2, & Note 1 for a fascinating overview that ties the books of Revelation, Matthew, Zechariah, Daniel all together and does it with information concerning the Mount of Olives, an earthquakes, Gentile invasion and all these things associated with the second coming of Jesus Christ! 4. Although the Sermon on the Mount has great truths that can be applied to the Church Age, remember it is clearly given to Old Testament. Jews under the law. The laws that are updated from the Old Testament. laws, together with new commands, are primarily given to the Jewish nation. 5. Please observe once more. No where in the Sermon on the Mount is the plan of salvation clearly stated for the Church Age saints. 6. Any attempt to make the Sermon on the Mount a Church Age program will lead to disaster as far as lucid Bible teaching is concerned. To do so will be like telling the people to build an ark because the world is going to be inundated with a world-wide flood. That command was given to Noah at a different time period, but it will not fit in the 2005 Church Age program for example. 7. See the plan of salvation for today in: 1 Cor. 15:1-6; Rom. 10:9-10,13; Acts 16:30-31; Rom. 6:23. None of these salvation verses given for the Kingdom of God Age are found as Part of the Sermon on the Mount, the Kingdom of Heaven age.
I. The King Illustrates His Two Classes Of Hearers: Verse 24 through Verse 27 .
b. The wise man is the Jewish nation that obeys the laws, commands and instructions of the King: verse 24 c. "How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?" (Deuteronomy 32:30). Please read the entire chapter 32 in Deuteronomy to see Israel's relationship to the Rock. 2. Results of building on the Rock:
b. When tribulation comes, those of Israel who obey their Rock, will be able to stand. c. Tribulation described as: rain, floods, wind. d. "For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not For there shall arise false Christ's, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." Matthew 24:21-24 KJB. e. Remember: For the Jews, Christ means: Messiah. f. Through the years, the Jews have been deceived by false Messiahs. Undoubtedly, this was the cause of them rejecting Christ their Messiah when He came. g. For those of Israel who believe and obey their Messiah, and King, they will stand during persecution like a house that is built upon a rock. h. Remember one of their commands and promises from their King: "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:10 KJB). 3. Those who hear and do not obey His Sermon On The Mount: Verses 26-27.
b The foolish man is that Part of the Jewish nation who hears the King's commands, but refuse to obey them. c. Sand is a man's substitute for the Rock: verse 26 d. Cf. The Tower of Babel: "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." (Genesis 11:3 KJB). e. Notice: bricks are man-made. Stones are made by God. In their rebellion, they refused to use what God provided and instead made a substitute (bricks) for stone. f. The same principle applies with the foolish man. He substitutes his own man made schemes (sand) in exchange for the truth of God's commands and laws (rock): verse 26. g. Sand is found 28 times in the Bible. In the majority of its usage, it is used to describe a large number of something, so great it cannot be counted. h. "As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David my servant, and the Levites that minister unto me." (Jeremiah 33:22 KJB). i. The obvious conclusion is that man's teachings (sand) are so numerous they cannot be counted. Whereas, the truth of God is as a Rock (singular). His truth never varies. j. God's word is the final authority. When you have conflicting authorities, they are not of God. "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." (Rock not sand). (John 17:17 KJB). k. "The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, 0 LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever." (Psalms 12:7 KJB). l. This verse is changed in all the new bibles (sand). They pretend that God will keep people rather than His words. This is monstrous blasphemy of the ROCK. By this tactic, the translators can pervert God's truth, twist it, add to it, subtract from it at will. The NIV; NASV, RSV, etc. are all bibles of sand. Men come out with a new bible about every month. They are nothing but piles of sand on the seashore.
4. What happens to the "house" built on sand? verse 27.
b. That Part of the "House of Israel" that faces the Great Tribulation with their lives built on the sand of man's philosophy, will fall. c. "And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." Revelation 14:11-12 KJB. d. Building houses on sand will also be a problem for Part of the "house of Israel" during the 1,000 year Kingdom of Heaven reign who will follow false teachers as the King has been warning. 5. For the umpteenth time, I will call your attention to the fact that these verses can be applied to the Church Age. 6. In that application, the Lord Jesus Christ is the Rock. When we are "on Him" then we too can withstand the trials of life. Please note: the passage is not dealing with eternal punishment. Rain, floods and wind are not pictures of Hell, but of the trials of life. 7. By the same token, the man who builds his life (house) on the sinking sands of phony bibles, false teachers, false religious leaders, etc. will have no refuge in the time of storms. His house will fall. It will be a great fall, verse 27.
J. The King Concludes His Constitution For The Kingdom of Heaven: Verses 28-29.
b. "And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works?" Matthew 13:54 KJB. 2. The King taught with authority: verse 29
b. His preserved words from Genesis to Revelation are the final authority. They supercede any professor in any university, seminary, college, big church, little church or street preacher. Every book, preacher or teacher is either right or wrong depending upon how he measures up to the words of God. c. The Lord Jesus Christ and the King James Bible are the plumb-line by which all thing are judged. Amos 7:7. 3. Thus ends the King's constitution for His New Kingdom of Heaven program by which He will govern this planet earth for 1000 years.
MATTHEW CHAPTER EIGHT
VERSE 1 TO 19 Ref. Note Page Page 1005 . .
& The King Establishes His Authority As Deity A. The King Leaves The Mount:
1. The King leaves the Mount where He had given His Constitution For His Coming Kingdom. 2. Note the King does not as yet appoint His Apostles. This does not occur until Matthew 10. 3. This is important to understand the sequence of events as given, for example in Luke 6:12-49. In Luke, the King repeats Parts of His "Sermon on the Mount." Note two important points: In Luke the Apostles are already chosen, (Luke 6:12-16) and the King repeats certain Parts of the "Sermon," not in the Mount but down on the plain. Things different are not the same. 4. Note: when the King comes down from the Mount, great multitudes followed Him: verse 1
B. The King And The Leper:
1. Facts about leprosy:
b. Caused by a micro-organism similar to tuberculosis. c. Moderately contagious today it can be contained with modern medication. 2. Bible facts about leprosy:
b. Leprosy is a North African disease: "The LORD will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed." (Deuteronomy 28:27 KJB) c. Israel threatened with leprosy for disobedience: "And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee. " (Exodus 15:26 KJB). d. Leprosy one of three sign gifts to Moses: Exodus 4:1-9. Serpent: verse 2; Leprosy: verse 6; Water to blood: verse 9. e. Many named in Bible as having leprosy: Moses, Miriam, Uzziah, Naaman, Azariah; Simon; many unnamed people. f. God's provision for Old Testament leprosy: Lev 13 & 14:
2. Types of leprosy: Lev. 13:5-39 3. Cleansing: Lev. 14:1-32. g. See story of the lepers Luke 17:11-19. 3. A leper worships the King: verse 2. Leprosy in the Bible is a type of sin. A picture of a sinner coming to the King and giving the King his allegiance. The new bibles do not allow the leper to worship the King. 4. The leper calls the King, LORD: verse 2
b. Not called LORD by a religious leader, but a leper. c. The last time the King is called LORD before His death was by a criminal. "And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom." (Luke 23:42 KJB). d. The new bibles take the word "LORD" out of the thief's mouth. e. The King was numbered with the transgressors in life and in death. "Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." Isaiah 53:12 KJB. 5. The leper requests that the King cleanse him; of leprosy: "LORD, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean": 6. Five ways the LORD deals with sickness:
b. He can will to use medicine: 1 Timothy 5:23; Isaiah 38:21. c. He can will to use no medicine: Acts 3:7 d. He can will to leave you sick: 2 Timothy 4:20; 2 Corinthians 12:5-8 e. He can will to leave you sick for a while and then heal. Philippians 2:26-27.
C. The King Cleanses The Leper: verse 3 "And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed." (Matthew 8:3 KJB).
b. Not even an Old Testament priest was allowed to touch a leper. c. First, he might get the disease; second, he would be unclean before God and man. See point 3. 2. NOTE: the King wills to cleanse the leper: v. 3 3. "Be thou clean" he did NOT ask to be healed, but cleansed.
b. Example: "Or if a soul touch any unclean thing, whether it be a carcase of an unclean beast, or a carcase of unclean cattle, or the carcase of unclean creeping things, and if it be hidden from him; he also shall be unclean, and guilty." Leviticus 5:2 KJB. c. Lepers were considered "unclean" and therefore could NOT be touched. d. "And the priest shall look on the plague in the skin of the flesh: and when the hair in the plague is turned white, and the plague in sight be deeper than the skin of his flesh, it is a plague of leprosy: and the priest shall look on him, and pronounce him unclean." (Leviticus 13:3 KJB). e. "And the leper in whom the plague is, his CLOTHES shall be rent, and his head bare, and he shall put a covering upon his upper lip, and shall cry, Unclean, unclean". Leviticus 13:45 KJB. 4. The King could touch the leper and cleanse and heal him of his leprosy Only God could do this. 5. The King's actions were to prove He was LORD and God. 6. NOTE: the beautiful expression "He touched me."
b. "For we have NOT an high priest which CANNOT be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:15 KJB). 7. The King willed to cleanse the leper. He did it with three words, "Be thou clean. " Immediately, the leper's leprosy was cleansed. 8. No more was the poor man required to cover his upper lip and go about calling, "unclean, unclean." This leper was cleansed of the disease that represents sin. 9. What a joy to be "touched by the Master's hand" and to be cleansed from sin, vileness and wickedness. 10. "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." (1 Peter 2:24 KJB). verse 4 "And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, show thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them." (Matthew 8:4 KJB).
2. He was to show himself to the Hebrew priest. 3. He must offer the gift that Moses commanded: v. 4
b. The offerings are given in Leviticus 14:20-22. c. Please read Leviticus chapters 13 and 14 for a correct understanding of the laws that must be followed concerning the leper.
4. NOTE: the cleansed leper was to go to the priest to have his cleansing from leprosy confirmed. 5. This was to be a testimony to the priest. Imagine the chagrin of the priest to have a cleansed leper walk into his presence. The priest would probably ask, "Who cleansed you?" When the cleansed leper answered, "King Jesus," the poor religious leaders probably fainted. 6. That poor priest would be compelled to either curse King Jesus or else fall on his face before the King and say with Thomas, "My Lord and my God." There is no way the priest could remain neutral. 7. This is why the King, in obedience to the very laws He had given to Moses, forbid the cleansed leper to tell any man. The religious leader was forced to make one of two decisions concerning the King. This was the King's plan. 8. Our Lord in any dispensation will NOT long allow a man to remain neutral. He must make a decision. 9. In Pilate's words, "Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?" Matthew 27:22 KJB. This is the eternal issue facing every person in the world. God will let no one escape saying "Yes" or "No" to the Lord Jesus Christ.
D. The King Goes To Capernaum: verses 5-13.
1. NOTE FIRST: The King comes to Capernaum: verse 5
Archaeological evidence indicates a life of the town from Roman times until abandonment in the late Arab period. Capernaum appears in the biblical record only in the Gospels where it is mentioned 16 times. As an economic center in Galilee it was more significant than tradition has often allowed. The designation "city" distinguishes it from the "fishing village" category. Perhaps the proximity to a major east-west trade route explains the need for a customs station there. The importance of the city is further demonstrated by the location of a military installation there under the command of a centurion. Fishing and farming were important to the economy and archaeological evidence suggests that there were other light industries contributing to the local prosperity. In the New Testament Capernaum was chosen as the base of operations by Jesus when He began His ministry. Teaching in the synagogue (Mark 1:21) and private homes (Mark 2:1) was basic to His work there, but the miracles performed there appear to have precipitated the controversy and opposition. The religious leadership challenged the direction of Jesus' ministry (Mark 2:24, Mark 7:5) and the popular following attempted to take over and force Him into a political position (John 6:15). (Mark 2:1) referred to Capernaum as Jesus' home and Matthew (Matthew 9:1) described it as "his own city." It appears that several of the disciples also lived in that town including Peter, Andrew, Matthew, and perhaps John and James. The populace apparently did NOT accept His messianic role because they fell under the same condemnation as Chorazin and Bethsaida for failing to repent (Matt. 11:20-24). George W Knight. 2. NOTE SECOND: A centurion approaches the King: verse 5
3. The Centurion' S Request: verse 6
b. PALSY (KJB) term for paralysis (Matt. 4:24; Matt. 9:2; Luke 5:18; Acts 8:7). The descriptions of the Gospel writers do NOT permit identifications with specific forms of paralysis. The Gospel writers were rather concerned to present Jesus as the One to whom God had entrusted the authority to forgive sins (Matt. 9:6) and whose healing ministry was a cause for glorifying God (Matt. 9:8). c. For a list of sicknesses the King healed see Matt 4:23 and the comments Matthew Chapter 4 of this study. d. The servant was suffering exceedingly: verse 6 4. The King's Response: v. 7 "And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him." Matthew 8:7 KJB, SRB Page 1005 .
b. Although the King will be a military dictator when He returns in the New Kingdom of Heaven, this verse also shows that He is and will be a compassionate King. c. The King promises to heal the paralyzed man: verse 7 5. The King Impressed With The Centurion: verses 8-9 "The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am NOT worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, come and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it." Matthew 8:9 KJB.
b. The centurion believes the King can heal his servant by speaking the word: verse 8 c. This corrects the pagan teaching of the "divine healers" who talk about a "point of contact" in order for the Lord to heal ? "lay you hand on the radio as a point of contact, etc." See verse 13. d. This Gentile centurion understands authority: verse 9 e. When he gives a command to a soldier under him, he expects the soldier to obey immediately and without question: v. 9 f. He knows the King of the universe has the same authority and would demand TOTAL and immediate obedience: v. 9 6. The King marvels at this centurion's faith: verse 10 "When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have NOT found so great faith, no, NOT in Israel." (Matthew 8:10 KJB).
b. The word "marveled" is used 23 times in the Bible an speaks of "astonishment." c. The King was impressed with this Gentile's faith, but was reminded of the lack of faith by the King's subjects, Israel: verse 10 d. "He came unto his own, and his own received him not." (John 1:11 KJB). e. His own people tried recently to kill Him rather than believe that He was their King. See Luke 4:27-30. 7. The King makes a prophetic statement: verses 11-12 "And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matthew 8:12 KJB.
b. The many from the east and west (gentiles) having a Part with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will occur in the Millennium or the future Kingdom of Heaven. c. "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." (Revelation 14:6-7 KJB). d. "When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:" Matthew 25:31-32.
e. NOTE what happens to some of the children of the Kingdom (Jews): verse 12 f. Because they will not accept the King when He is presented to them, they shall be cast into outer darkness. This is a reference to the Lake of Fire in the land of Edom kindled when the King comes back to separate the sheep from the goats and the wheat from the tares: verse 12. See Isaiah 34:1-10. g. The King will kindle this lake of fire with His tongue. "Behold, the name of the LORD cometh from far, burning with his anger, and the burden thereof is heavy: his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire:" (Isaiah 30:27 KJB). h. "And the LORD shall cause his glorious voice to be heard, and shall show the lighting down of his arm, with the indignation of his anger, and with the flame of a devouring fire, with scattering, and tempest, and hailstones." (Isaiah 30:30 KJB). i. "For Tophet is ordained of old; yea, for the king it is prepared; he hath made it deep and large: the pile thereof is fire and much wood; the breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, doth kindle it." (Isaiah 30:33 KJB). 8. The King heals the centurion's servant: verse 13 "And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. " (Matthew 8:13 KJB).
b. The centurion believed what the King told him. Believing is faith and faith is believing. c. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1 KJB). d. NOTE: the servant was healed because the King told the centurion He would heal the servant. "And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him." Matthew 8:7 KJB. e. NOTE: a tragic error has been popular that teaches if you want something sincerely enough, just believe and you will get it. This is absolutely wrong. This is presumption and not Bible faith. f. Faith is built upon substance and evidence. The substance and evidence is the word of God. We believe what God has promised in His word and than ask accordingly. If no specific verse covers our request, then we trust God that His will be accomplished in the matter.
b. From this verse we know that Peter was married. c. Peter's mother in law was sick with a fever. d. This is the third illness the Lord confronts since coming down from the Mount; leprosy, verse 2; palsy, verse 6; now fever, verse 14. 2. The King heals Peter's mother in law: verse 5 & 15 "And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them." ( Matthew 8:15 KJB ).
b. The healing was instantaneous. Please remember, the King does not need to touch the sick person in order to heal them: see verse 16. c. The healed lady immediately rose from her sick bed and ministered to the needs of her guests. 3. The King next heals many devil possessed people: verse 16. "When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:" ( Matthew 8:16 KJB ).
b. NOTE: many were possessed with devils, NOT demons. Demons are found only in mythology and the corrupt new bibles. c. What are devils? they are the spirits of fallen angels who are under control of their father, the devil. They are described as being unclean. Mark 5:8. d. See fallen angels, Matthew 25:40-42. e. We will consider devil possession more thoroughly when we come to Matthew 8:28. f. Notice how the King cast out devils: He did it with His word. In other words, the King commanded them to come out of the person who was possessed with them. See verses 31-32. g. The King also healed all that were sick: verses 5-6 h. Healing sick people was Part of the proof offered by the King that He was the Messiah and King of Israel. i. Divine healers have twisted, warped and wrenched the statements of Scriptures out of their settings to make people believe that it is always God's will to heal all sick people. Since the King healed all the sick people who were brought to Him in Capernaum, they teach it is God's will in 2005 to heal everybody. j. The last time the author was in the store getting a lens change, lo and behold, the most famous "divine healer" in Columbus had preceded me to get new glasses. My friend in the lens shop thought this was most amusing. I did too. Talk about hypocrisy! k. Please review the authors statements on healing later on in this study.
m. Does God heal today. Why of course. When you cut your finger, if God didn't heal the wound, you would lose your finger. If you break a bone, a doctor may set the break, but only God can heal the bone. If you have surgery, the surgeon can operate, cut out some infected part and suture your wound. If God doesn't heal the wound, however, it would never heal with all of the medicine in the world. n. People seem to regard spectacular healing as the only real healing. Blind eyes opened, cancer healed are all dramatic forms of healing when God performs them. Whether great or small, it is always God who does the healing. o. Remember, God may miraculously heal a man of cancer only to have the man drop dead of a heart attack one year later. Our bodies will never again be subject to sickness only when we see the King, the Lord Jesus Christ.
4. The King quotes His prophet Isaiah: verse 5 & verse 17 "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses." Matthew 8:17 KJB .
b. Peter gives us the commentary on the verse: "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. " (1 Peter 2:24 KJB). c. Through the blood atonement of the King, the Lord Jesus Christ, someday, all sin, sickness, weeds, thorns, fierce animals and insects will be permanently healed. Today is not that time. 5. The King escapes the crowds: verse 5 & verse 18 "Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side." ( Matthew 8:18 KJB ).
b. Reasons: He knew all crowds are fickle. They will sing your praises one minute and next they will cry out for your death. Next, since He in His sovereign knowledge knew Israel would not accept Him this time as their King. He did not want to surround Himself will careless people who could disrupt His plans. Fickle crowds attempted to make Him king. c. "When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone." (John 6:15 KJB). d. The King, who knew He would be rejected, must balance His public work between making a genuine offer of Himself as King of the Jews and yet He could nnot have the fickle crowds making Him a King out of their capricious whims. e. To avoid adverse publicity, the King merely crossed the Sea of Galilee to the other side where He could continue His ministry. f. The King Challenges Professed Disciples: verses 19-22 "And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest." ( Matthew 8:19 KJB ). 6. An unnamed scribe approaches the King: verse 19
F. The King Continues His Healing Ministry: verses 14-18
b. From this verse we know that Peter was married. c. Peter's mother in law was sick with a fever. d. This is the third illness the Lord confronts since coming down from the Mount; leprosy, verse 2; palsy, verse 6; now fever, verse 14. 2. The King heals Peter's mother in law: verse 15 "And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them." (Matthew 8:15 KJB).
b. The healing was instantaneous. Please remember, the King does not need to touch the sick person in order to heal them: see verse 16. c. The healed lady immediately rose from her sick bed and ministered to the needs of her guests. 3. The King next heals many devil possessed people: verse 16. "When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:" (Matthew 8:16 KJB).
b. NOTE: many were possessed with devils, not demons. Demons are found only in mythology and the corrupt new bibles. c. What are devils? they are the spirits of fallen angels who are under control of their father, the devil. They are described as being unclean. Mark 5:8. d. We will consider devil possession more thoroughly when we come to Matthew 8, v. 28. e. Notice how the King cast out devils: He did it with His word. In Other words, the King commanded them to come out of the person who was possessed with them. See verses 31-32. f. The King also healed all that were sick: verse 16 g. Healing sick people was part of the proof offered by the King that He was the Messiah and King of Israel. h. Divine healers have twisted, warped and wrenched the statements of Scriptures out of their settings to make people believe that it is always God's will to heal all sick people. Since the King healed all the sick people who were brought to Him in Capernaum, they teach it is God's will in 2005 to heal everybody. i. The last time the author was in the store getting a lens change, lo and behold, the most famous "divine healer" in town had preceded me to get new glasses. My friend in the lens shop thought this was most amusing. I did too. Talk about hypocrisy! j. Note that there is no reference to God healing anybody in the Book of Genesis. Healing is not mentioned until after the nation of Israelis led out of Egypt. Healing is one of the sign gifts to Israel. The Apostles who were ministering to Israel had the gift of healing to prove their leadership under God. The gift of healing stopped with the completed Bible and God's program for the world. The King, since He came to Israel to offer them the Kingdom, healed to prove and authenticate His deity. k. Does God heal today. Why of course. When you cut your finger, if God didn't heal the wound, you would lose your finger. If you break a bone, a doctor may set the break, but only God can heal the bone. If you have surgery, the surgeon can operate, cut out some infected part and suture your wound. If God doesn't heal the wound, however, it would never heal with all of the medicine in the world. l. People seem to regard spectacular healing as the only real healing. Blind eyes opened, cancer healed are all dramatic forms of healing when God performs them. Whether great or small, it is always God who does the healing. m. Remember, God may miraculously heal a man of cancer only to have the man drop dead of a heart attack one year later. Our bodies will never again be subject to sickness only when we see the King, the Lord Jesus Christ. 4. The King quotes His prophet Isaiah: verse. 17 "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses." Matthew 8:17 KJB, Cf. Isaiah 53:4.
b. Peter gives us the commentary on the verse: "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." ( 1 Peter 2:24 KJB ). c. Through the blood atonement of the King, the Lord Jesus Christ, someday, all sin, sickness, weeds, thorns, fierce animals and insects will be permanently healed. Today is not that time. d. Teachers in New Testament times were mostly Pharisees (Mark 2:16). They interpreted the law, taught it to disciples, and were experts in cases where people were accused of breaking the law of Moses. They led in plans to kill Jesus (Luke 19:47) and heard His stern rebuke (Matt. 23). e. This unnamed scribe promised to follow the Master anywhere He went: verse 19 f. The King, who knew the man's real intentions, puts him to a test. 5. The King's test of the scribe's real devotion: verse 20, Note: SRB Note 1 ? for "Son of man." "And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head." Matthew 8:20 KJB.
b. What about it Mr. Scribe? No glory; no praise; no lavish living; no pension plan; just suffering, hardships, blood, sweat and tears. Do you still want to be one of the King's disciples at this cost? c. The Scripture does not give his answer. I think we can assume he said, "Thanks, but no thanks." d. Note the account in Luke 9:57-62 where we have three accounts of potential followers of the King. e. That account closes with: "And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62 KJB). f. Here we learn that a man who is not willing to pay the price of surrender and total obedience to the Lord is not fit for either the Kingdom of Heaven or the Kingdom of God. g. See the price Paul paid: 2 Corinthians 11:22-33. 6. The King is approached by another disciple: verse 21 "And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. " ( Matthew 8:21 KJB ).
b. In Luke's account we have the additional information: "And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father." Luke 9:59. c. The King makes it clear that He must be first.
d. Some believe this is merely an oriental expression given by a man who did not want to do something. He falsely claimed, "His father had died." 7. The King's answer to the trifler: verse 22. "But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead." ( Matthew 8:22 KJB ).
b. No excuses are acceptable to the King for an unwillingness to follow Him with no exclusions.
G. The King Of The Sea: verses 23-27
1. The King's Decision: verse 23
b. The King leaves the west shore of the Sea of Galilee at Capernaum and plans to travel to the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee. c. His disciples enter the ship with their King: v. 23. d. Read Luke's account in 8:22-25. 2. The King in the midst of a storm: verse 24
b. Such a storm arose suddenly while the King and His disciples were crossing. The bow of the ship would be a 90 degree angle to the waves since they blow from north to south. This explains why the ship was covered with the waves. c. The King was asleep in the ship. 3. The Terrified Disciples: verse 25 "And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. " (Matthew 8:25 KJB).
b. We can suspect that just maybe the King planned it this way by making the Sea especially treacherous to test His disciples. Remember, the King hours earlier gave two other prospective disciples a "rough test" to see if they could take it. Now it is the King's disciples turn to be tested. c. The frightened disciples wakened the King with the words, "Lord, save us: we perish." 4. The King responds to their terror: verse 26-27 "And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, 0 ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marveled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!" ( Matthew 8:26-27 KJB ).
b. The test is now over. The King arises and rebukes the winds and the sea. Immediately the Sea of Galilee is calm once more: v. 26 c. The disciples marveled. They had never seen anything like this before. The King speaks and the worst storm they have ever encountered ceases immediately. They have never seen a miracle such as this: verse 27. d. "What manner of man is this?" Well, He is the God-Man who came into this world to be the King of His people Israel. He came to offer them the Kingdom that their forefathers had rejected way back in the days of Samuel. (1 Samuel 8:1-7). e. Before the three and one half years of ministry are over, they will see miracles that no human has every seen before. f. Not only will the wind and waves obey the King, but animals, fish, roosters, donkeys, sick bodies, dead bodies, soldiers, magistrates, governors will respond to His voice. Water will turn to grape juice, bread and fish will be created from nothing before their very eyes. g. They will see all nature surrender to the sound of His voice. Mankind will be the only created beings who will rebel against Him, deny Him, reject Him and declare that they will not have this King rule over them. h. They will see the sun darken at His command. They will see nature rebel in the form of an earthquake both at His death and at His resurrection in response to His voice. The blind will see, the dumb speak, the lame walk, the dead raised, all at the sound of His voice. They will learn what manner of Man He was.
H. The King Encounters The Devils: verse 28. "And when he was come to the other side into the country of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with devils, coming out of the tombs, exceeding fierce, so that no man might pass by that way." Matthew 8:28 KJB .
b. Gadara was one of the towns of the Gergesenes on the east coast of the Sea of Galilee. c. It has been our policy in this study to refrain from comparing the other Gospel accounts. Reason: We wanted to keep the emphasis on the Book of The King, Matthew The othere accounts in the Gospels add additional facts that can be related to Gentiles. d. In our study of devils, however, we shall especially look at Mark Chapter 5:1-20 for the account of one man who was devil possessed. Note in Matthew there are two men the King describes as devil possessed: verse 28. 2. Facts about devil possession comparing the three Gospels:
b. Devil possession was wide spread in the NT days. A easy guess would be that Satan was more active on earth because the King was here on planet earth. That means that His throne in Heaven was vacant. Satan's desire to occupy that throne was intensified in the presence of the King. This was Part of the reason that Satan tried to kill the King continually or else tempt Him to accept the thrones of this world with out going to the cross. c. Devil possession is prevalent in many countries of the world today, especially where devil worship is practiced. We probably have more devil possession in American than most realize. 3. Symptoms of devil possession. Please check references:
b. They are exceedingly fierce: Matt. 8:28 c. They are anti-social: Matt. 8:28 d. The devils inside the possessed person can speak 8:29 (They use the possessed person's vocal cords) e. The devils know the Lord Jesus Christ: 8:29 f. The devils are religious: 8:29 g. The devils know they will go to Hell: 8:29 h. The devils can possess animals: Matt. 8:31 i. The animals go crazy when possessed: Matt. 8:32 j. Devils are called "unclean spirits": Mark 5:2, 8,13. k. A devil possessed man cannot be chained: Mark 5:3 l. They seek solitude in the mountains: Mark 5:5 m. They cry excessively: Mark 5:5 n. They torture their bodies: Mark 5:5 o. They are suicidal: Mark 5:5 p. Devils have names: Mark 5:9 q. Devils are large in numbers: Mark 5:9 r. Devil possessed people enjoy being naked: Luke 8:27 s. They have nothing to with Jesus: Luke 8:28 t. They are driven by Satan: Luke 8:29 u. Devils can get requests granted by the Lord: Luke 8:32 v. They control the mind of the person so that they act insanely: Luke 8:35 w. The possessed person will act like a lunatic while the devils will push him into fire to burn him or into water to drown him. "Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is a lunatic, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water." (Matthew 17:15 KJB). 4. Satan's deceit and deception:
b. "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light." 2 Corinthians 11:14 KJB. 5. Theologians are responsible for the masquerade of devils who can do their work undetected.
b. Since no demons can be found in the Bible, the theologians went to the Greek and Roman books on mythology to find demons. Since these grotesque creatures do not fit into modern man's thinking, the devils of the Bible are considered more of a myth that a reality. In this regard, Dr. Scofield, not being a trained theologian himself, disregarded the Bible teaching and substituted man's wisdom which is foolishness in the eyes of God. 1 Corinthians 1:25. c. The results: The devils or unclean spirits are able to do their work under the direction of their father, Satan, without detection. d. "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works." (2 Corinthians 11:14-15 KJB).
I. The King And The Devils: verse 29 "And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?" ( Matthew 8:29 KJB ).
2. The devils know that Jesus is the Son of God. 3. The devils have no regard for the King. 4. The devils know that the King will be their judge and they will tormented in Hell forever. 5. Note also, the devils know that it is not time for them to be judged and go to Hell: verse 29
J. The Devils Make a Request Of The King: verse 30-31 "And there was a good way off from them an herd of many swine feeding. So the devils besought him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine." ( Matthew 8:31 KJB ).
2. These unclean spirits or devils knew that the King was going to cast them out of the two wretched men. 3. The devils requested that they be sent into the herd of swine to possess them. 4. The Bible record indicates that the devils, who are unclean spirits, must occupy some kind of a body. If it is not the body of a human, they will be content to possess the hogs. 5. Speculation: Since there were 2,000 pigs and two men, we could guess that each man was possessed with 1,000 devils. This is beyond my comprehension. 6. Questions I can't answer:
b. Where did the devils go after the pigs committed suicide? Perhaps into another man? Could they have gone into the swine herders?
K. Swine And Devil Possession: verse 32 "And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters." Matthew 8:32 KJB.
2. The pigs ran violently down a steep slope into the sea and perished in the water. 3. Spirits cannot drown. Where they went, the Bible does not tell us. 4. We do know that the pigs acted insanely by running down the deep slope and plunging into the sea. 5. 2,000 devil possessed unclean pigs killed themselves rather than be possessed with unclean spirits.
L. The Reaction Of The Swine Herders: verse 33 "And they that kept them fled, and went their ways into the city, and told every thing, and what was befallen to the possessed of the devils. " Matthew 8:33 KJB.
2. They also reported what happened to the two devil possessed men who were delivered of the unclean spirits by the King. 3. Matthew doesn't tell us what happened to the devil possessed men when they were rescued from devil possession. 4. Mark tells us what happened to one of them. I am sure it happened to them both. 5. "And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid." (Mark 5:15 KJB. 6. The devil possessed man now is sitting; he has put clothes on; he is in his right mind. 7. The people are afraid of the "new man" the King has produced by expelling the legion of devils from him.
M. The King Expelled From The Country: verse 34 "And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts. " Matthew 8:34 KJB.
2. The economics of the healing of the devil possessed men was apparent. The man was healed, in his right mind and no longer a menace to society. Yet the question looming before them was, "Who's going to pay for the pigs?" 3. It was easier to get rid of the King who was responsible for the destruction of the pigs, then to rejoice in the healing of a devil possessed man or men whose new lives did not measure up to the cost of 2,000 pigs. 4. "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." 1 Timothy 6:10 KJB. 5. We can't help but wonder if the unclean spirits did not enter into some of the towns people as evidenced by their callused disregard for the King and the subjects He healed. 6. The same bibles that change devils to demons are the same bibles that change the above verse that explains the relation of economics to all evil.
Verses 1 to 6, See Note Page 1006_1 . .
Verses 7 to 33. Verses 34 to 38, See Note Page 1008_1
The King Displays His Credentials
2. The King again displayed His credentials as the God-King by calming the boisterous sea, (Matt. 8:26) and healing two men who were devil possessed, after He arrived. (Matt. 8:28-34). Following the healing of the devil possessed men, He was asked to leave the country of the Gergesenes (Matt. 8:34). 3. With this mission completed, the King enters into a ship and re-crosses the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 9:1) and returns to Capernaum. Capernaum was selected by the King to be His headquarters when He was operating in the Galilee area (Matthew 4:12-15). Capernaum was called, "His own city." (9:1). 4. The King later severely criticized the citizens of Capernaum because of the mighty works that were done there by the King and yet they did not repent and give their allegiance to Him. 5. "And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee." (Matthew 11:23-24 KJB). 6. In passing, notice the truth of degrees of punishment taught in these verses. Since the citizens of Capernaum had greater opportunity than those of Sodom, Capernaum will suffer the greater punishment in the future.
B. The King Heals Another Paralyzed Man: verse 2 "And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee." (Matthew 9:2 KJB).
2. Note: Mark 2:3-12 adds some additional facts. Remember, the Gospels compliment each other with additional facts. The "supposed contradictions" are really additional truth presented through the eyes of another witness. 3. Additional facts added by Mark: (Mark 2:3-12).
b. A great crowd gathered in a home. It was so crowded that no one else could enter: verse 2 c. The King preached from His Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) to the crowd: v. 2 d. While the King was preaching, four men brought a man suffering with palsy (paralysis) to the home. They could not get in, so they climbed up on the roof opened the roof and lowered the paralyzed man to the place where the King was: verses 3-4 e. The account in Matthew picks up at this point. f. Note: Mark does not contradict Matthew Mark merely adds additional information. 4. Returning to Matthew 9:2 we pick up the narrative. 5. Note the King's reaction to the presence of the palsied man: verse 2
b. Note: the palsied man is not credited with having any faith: verse 2 c. The faith that the King saw was the faith of the four men who lowered the sick man into the King's presence: v. 2 d. Only use of anointing with oil as a healing procedure given to the Hebrews through James: 5:14-16 e. "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:14-16 KJB). f. Note the following:
2. James was writing to Hebrews and not to Gentiles: James 1:1., See Note Page 1306, James 1:1-13, See Writer information, Date, Theme and other heading information. 3. James was still steeped in the Hebrew rituals. He didn't really understand the Church Age doctrine until after Paul was saved. Read Acts 15:1-31. ; See Acts of the Apostles Book Heading, Note Page 1147 ; Note Page 1169 , Acts Chapter 15:1-14; and Note Page 1170 , Acts 15:15-33; Note Page 1171 , Acts 15:34-16:17. 4. Anointing with oil: C. Note procedure: James 5:14-16
2. The elders are to pray over the sick person. 3. Anoint him physically with physical oil. 4. Physical oil was never used in healing in the Book of Acts to Hebrews. 5. The elders, not the sick person, were to have the faith that the Lord would raise up the sick. 6. The Lord will raise the sick up. 7. If the sick person has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 8. The elders are to confess their faults to each other and pray for each other that they may be healed. 9. Note how the Bible messes up people's ideas:
b. These sick people are to pray for another sick person and anoint him physically with oil. c. The elders are to have faith that the Lord will raise the sick person up. d. Sickness and sins are connected to both the healing of the sick man and the sick elders. e. The elders are to confess faults to each other and pray so they can be healed also. f. Conclusion: Only 2 times in the NT does it refer to anybody using oil in connection with healing. One is in Mark 6:13 and the other in James 5:14. In Old Testament special anointing oil was used to sanctify priests, kings, altars, tabernacles, furniture, etc. but never for healing anyone's sickness. (Exodus 30:22-31). 10. Look at Matthew 9:2, SRB Page 1006 once again: verse 2
b. No mention is made of the sick man's faith. c. No mention is made of any oil used in his healing. d. Sickness and sin are closely related. e. The King forgave the sick man of his sins. f. It is not until later (verses 7-8) we learn the man is healed. g. Sins forgiven is more important than healing the body. h. See relationship between sin and sickness in 1 Corinthians 11:29-30.
D. The King Is Challenged:
1. The King is charged with blasphemy: verse 3
b. SCRIBE: A person trained in writing skills and used to record events and decisions (Jer. 36:26; 1 Chron. 24:6; Esther. 3:12). During the Exile in Babylon educated scribes apparently became the experts in God's written word, copying, preserving, and teaching it. Ezra was a scribe in this sense of expert in teaching God's word (Ezra 7:6). A professional group of such scribes developed by New Testament times, most being Pharisees (Mark 2:16). They interpreted the law, taught it to disciples, and were experts in cases where people were accused of breaking the law of Moses. They led in plans to kill Jesus (Luke 19:47) and heard His stern rebuke (Matt. 23). c. BLASPHEMY: An indignity offered to God by words or writing; reproachful, contemptuous or irreverent words uttered impiously against Jehovah. Blasphemy is an injury offered to God, by denying that which is due and belonging to him, or attributing to him that which is not agreeable to his nature. d. Blasphemy was a favorite charge brought against the King. Matthew 26:65; Mark 14:64; John 10:33, 36. e. The reason is obvious. The King was God. All His actions were God-like. He forgave sins because He was God. He healed bodies because He was God. All of His miracles were those of which only God could perform. Since only God could do these things, and since the King did things only God could do, they charged the King with blasphemy. f. Every religious leader who professes that he can forgive sins, is a blasphemer. g. Every religious leader who claims he can heal bodies by using "prayer cloths;" oil, "smacking the sick person in the head," etc. , is a blasphemer. He is usurping the role of God which is blasphemy. h. Note the scribes did not say this out loud, but within themselves: verse 3 2. The King, being God, was a mind reader: verse 4
b. Charging God with blasphemy was the worst sort of evil. Because they thought this in their hearts did not lessen the blasphemy of which they were guilty. c. Remember evil comes from the heart: "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: "All these evil things come from within, and defile the man." Mark 7:21-23 KJB. d. How ironic that these scribes are guilty of the very sins of which they are charging their King. 3. The King turns the tables on the scribes: verses 5-7.
b. The King first of all forgave the paralyzed man of his sins. He is not yet healed physically. c. The King gives the scribes the opportunity to charge Him with blasphemy. In other words, the King gave them the rope with which they can hang themselves. d. "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;" Romans 1:28 e. Never forget. This is God's standard operating procedure with people who will not obey Him. f. Please read Romans 1:18-32 & the SRB Page 1192 Notes for the shock of your life. You mess with God, He'll mess with you. God can make a bigger mess of things than you ever thought possible. (Romans 1:18-32) g. When the scribes blasphemed the King for forgiving the sick man of his sins, the King then healed him. h. In effect the King was saying, As God, I have the power to forgive sins. Not only that, I have the power of God to heal the sick. No problem at all for the King. i. Immediately, the man who was carried into the house on a bed since he was paralyzed, is now commanded by the King to arise, take up his bed and go to your own home: verse 6 j. The former paralyzed man did as he was told. He got up, no longer paralyzed, picked up his bed and went to his own home in his own strength: verse 7 4. The King is victorious: verse 8
b. The scribes offered no apologies to the King for their wicked heart's condemnation of the King. c. The crowd glorified God for what they had seen.
E. The King Calls Matthew: Verse 9 "And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him. " (Matthew 9:9 KJB).
2. Luke 6:27-29 adds additional information. From him we learn that Matthew Levi was a publican. When the King called him, he left everything and followed the King. Matthew Levi then invited the King to his home for a great feast with other publicans and friends. 3. Who were the publicans?: PUBLICAN: A political office created by the Romans to help collect taxes in the provinces. Zacchaeus is called a "chief among the publicans" (Luke 19:2), probably indicating one who contracted with the government to collect taxes, and who in turn hired others to do the actual work. In New Testament times people bid for the job of chief tax collector and then exacted the tax plus a profit from the citizens. Most of the offices were filled by Romans, although some natives got the bids. Publicans were held in the lowest esteem because of their excessive profits, being placed in the same category as harlots (Matt. 21:32). Jesus was accused of eating with and befriending them (Matt. 9:11). 4. Matthew Levi will soon be called to the highest office a human can hold in the Kingdom of Heaven; that of an Apostle. The Apostles will also have their names engraved in the 12 foundations of the city of the New Jerusalem: See Revelation 21:14. Cf. Hebrews 11:10. 5. Matthew not only became an Apostle, but he was the human author of the Book of Matthew we are studying. 6. Notice his commendable decisions:
b. He did not take time for anything else, like settling up his business affairs. c. He was not like the three "losers" in Luke 9:57-62, who when called by the King, said, "Suffer me first." d. With no questions asked, he was willing to follow the King in His Kingdom of Heaven proposal. e. You can be sure he never regretted leaving behind all of the money and his home which must have been beautiful for he was wealthy as was Zacchaeus, Luke 19:2.
F. The King Meets The Pharisees: verses 10-11. "And it came to pass,as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?" (Matthew 9:10-11 KJB).
b. JEWISH PARTIES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT: Judaism in New Testament times was diverse. We read of Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herodians. One man is called a Zealot. From history we learn of the Essenes. 2. NOTE: Jesus sat at meat in the house: verse 10
b. Example: In Leviticus 2:1, one of the Five offerings in Leviticus is called the "meat offering." Those who have difficulty understanding God's plain English, change the offering to the "meal offering" because it has no flesh in it. They would be more correct to call it the "flour offering" for it was made of fine flour. The words that God has chosen to use, "meat offering," are correct since God has the right to use any words He chooses. Foolish men change God's words at their own peril. 3. Note: the guests at the home of Matthew were: The King, many publicans, sinners and the King's disciples, verse 10. 4. The objection of the Pharisees: verse 11.
b. Luke tells us that the scribes were there also: Luke 2:30. We are not told what they were doing there. c. According to the Pharisees and the scribes, everyone who was not one of them was a sinner. Some super-separated brethren today believe they and their crowd are the only ones who are not sinners. d. Note: there are only two classes in the world today? sinners who are saved by God's grace and sinners who are not. e. John writes to Christians: "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." 1 John 1:8 KJB. f. The plan of the Pharisees and the scribes was to charge the King with guilt by association. If the King were not a sinner, he would not eat with publicans and sinners. g. "The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a wine bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!" (Luke 7:34 KJB). h. In so many words they were accusing the King of being a fat drunk because He ate with publicans and sinners. This is how all religious hypocrites try to intimidate those who are not in their crowd.
G. The King Answers The Charges Against Him: verses 12-13. "But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
b. He was the Healer of both body and soul. c. The one and only time the word "physician" is found in the Old Testament is in Jeremiah 8:22, "Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?" d. This is a slap in the face for all those who deny the need of a physician, but trust in "faith" or anything else to heal their sick bodies. e. By identifying Himself as a Physician, The King elevated that position to an honorable rank. f. "When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses." (Matthew 8:16-17 KJB). g. Luke was known as the beloved physician: Col. 4:14. Luke was Paul's private doctor as God gradually withdrew Paul's gift of healing. 2. The King said to the Pharisees and scribes: "But go ye and learn what that meaneth"
b. People can be half dead with cancer and never know it until they get their physician's report. Sinners can be "dead" with sin and not know it until they come to the Great Physician who will diagnosis their case. c. Since the Pharisees and scribes refused to believe their King and Physician, they were surely going to die in their sins. (John 8:24). d. They thought they were righteous. The Physician told them to go and learn what a sinner was from their own Bible. If they would have listen they would have heard God say: "The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one." (Psalms 14:2-3 KJB). e. Paul quotes this verse in Romans 3:10, As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:" f. Their King and Physician said if they would only go to the Scriptures and learn what it means to be sin-sick, He would have mercy and heal them. Their sacrifices would not help their sin-sickness. 3. It was then the King and Physician gave His great diagnosis of Pharisees, scribes and all of mankind"
b. "There is none righteous, no, not one. " The King could not come to righteous people for there were none. Since all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, it was to such sinners the King and Great Physician came to bear their infirmities and heal their sin-sickness.
H. The King Helps The Disciples Of John The Baptist:
1. The disciples of John the Baptist come to the King and ask Him an honest question.
b. Fasting was not given as a command from God. It appears it developed as people were in deep need. They fasted as a token of sincerity before God. c. First use in N.T.: "Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly." (Matthew 6:16-18 KJB). d. Review our earlier discussion on fasting. e. Since fasting was not commanded, but was optional, the King answers the disciples of John the Baptist plainly They had no reason to fast yet other than when dealing with devils: Mark 9:29 2. The day is coming when they shall fast:
b. Note "children of the bride chamber." (Isaiah 54:5).
2. Please read Isaiah 62:1-12 for complete truth. 3. Although Israelis referred to as the "wife of God" she is guilty of spiritual adultery. 4. See Hosea Chapters one and two for understanding of this statement. 5. However, God will someday reclaim Israel as a Bridegroom claims His bride. 6. Isaiah 62:1-3 pictures God's pride of His wife. 7. "Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married. For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee. " (Isaiah 62:4-5 KJB). 8. Hephzibah means: My delight is in her. 9 Beulah means: Married. (Song: Beulah Land). 10. The King will be taken from them as the Bridegroom after Israel rejects the King and His Kingdom. Before He comes to offer the Kingdom of Heaven for the last time, Israel will go through the Great Tribulation. They will weep, mourn, fast, pray and the works. 11. While the King is with them, they have no need to mourn and fast.
I. There is another veiled truth in the passage: verse 15
2. Israelis also pictured as Ten Virgins waiting for the Bridegroom to come with His bride to share in the Marriage Supper in honor of the King's wife. 3. Here the Bride is the Church who will be coming with the Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ, to set up the Kingdom of Heaven on this planet earth. The King will present His new wife to the world at the great marriage supper. 4. "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God." (Revelation 19:9 KJB). 5. The Church, as with Israel, will learn to fast and mourn when the Bridegroom is taken from them. 6. Church history tells of the horrors of suffering the church went through after the Bridegroom left them. Fasting and prayer became a Part of the early church life after the Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ, ascended into Heaven.
J. The King Gives A Striking Parable:
1. The meaning of this parable is difficult to comprehend. 2. The parable itself is very interesting. First the cloth:
b. Luke 5:36 says, "And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth not with the old." c. By looking at all three accounts, we conclude that the Lord is saying that no man sews a piece of new cloth on an old garment. If he does sew a new piece of cloth on an old garment, the tear you tried to patch with a new cloth will be rent and the rent in the old garment will be made worse. 2. Second the bottles: (I am aware that the bottles are not glass or plastic bottles, but animal skins. I will continue to use the word bottles so we do not add any more problems to the text.)
b. Mark 2:22 says, "And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles." c. Luke 5:37-38 says, And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved." d. Luke 5:39 adds, "No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better." e. Conclusion: No man puts new wine into old bottles. If he does, the new wine will burst the bottles, the new wine will be spilled and the old bottles will be broken and both will be ruined. You must put new wine in new bottles. Luke adds, no man having drunk old wine (booze) will desire the new wine (grape juice) because he says the old wine (booze) is better. New wine is the fruit of the vine or grape juice (Matthew 26:29). Isaiah 65:8, "Thus saith the LORD, As the new wine is found in the cluster. ..."
I would take this one step further. When someone tries to convince you that the Bible references about wine were meaning "grape juice," think about it closely. If they only drank grape juice they would have by necessity needed a year long crop of grapes. They had no way of preserving the fruit of the vine. No refrigerators. Ice would have to been imported such long distances that it would have turned to water, just as grape juice turns to wine. Thence, the beverage of choice would have had to be wine as we know it today. The Bible implores us to be moderate in all things. 3. What are parables? Parables are stories, especially those of Jesus, told to provide a vision of life, especially life in God's kingdom. Parable means a putting alongside for purposes of comparison and new understanding. Parables utilize pictures such as metaphors or similes and frequently extend them into a brief story to make a point or disclosure. A parable may convey other images and implications, but it has only one main point established by a basic comparison. For example, the parable of the mustard seed (Mark 4:30-32; Matt. 13:31-32; Luke 13:18-19) compares or juxtaposes a microscopically small seed initially with a large bush eventually. 4. Why did the King speak in parables?: "And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand." Matthew 13:10-13 KJB. 5. Parables were used for two reasons: First to make a difficult truth easy to understand for those who would be in subjection to the King. Second, the King spoke in parables to hide truth from those who were not in subjection to Him. 6. As we tackle this difficult parable, we need to remember to whom the King is speaking. The King has just been blasphemed by the Pharisees and the scribes. See comments on Matthew 9:10-13. 7. We also must remember that the King is still offering to the Hebrews the new Kingdom of Heaven with Him as their King. Everyone present, when this parable was spoken, was a Jew who was looking for his Messiah and King. 8. Now let's tackle the parable:
b. He is comparing the Old Kingdom rejected by the Jews back in Samuel's day (1 Samuel 8:1-22) with all of its laws and commandments given to Moses with His offer of a New Kingdom of Heaven with a complete list of updated laws and commandments. c. Remember our study back in Matthew 5-7,"The Sermon of the Mount" where the King was giving His subjects the New Constitution for His New Kingdom He was offering them? d. He said over and over again, Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, but I say unto you. Then He gave a comparison of the Old Kingdom of Heaven with the laws given by Moses on Mount Sinai, that were completely opposite to the New Laws the King was giving them for the New Kingdom of Heaven. e. Examples: Matthew 5-7: He changed laws for:
2. He equated anger with murder: 5:21-22 3. He changed the laws for divorce: 5:31-32 4. He changed the laws for oaths: 5:33-37 5. Turning the cheek, rather than retaliation ? an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth: 5:38-42 6. Love for enemy now where before they killed their enemies: 5:43-48 7. He gave them a new prayer: 6:5-15 8. New laws for riches, materialism: 6:19-34 9. New laws for judging one another. 7:1-20 10. Please go back and review the Sermon on the Mount to see how radically different the New Kingdom of Heaven laws would be under the New King compared to the Old Kingdom with the laws of Moses to direct them. 8. The Conclusion Of What The Parable Is Teaching:
b. Since the laws were totally different, if anyone tried to make them compatible, both would be destroyed. c. You can't put the New Wine of the New Kingdom into the old bottles of the Old Kingdom. If you try, they will both burst and be destroyed. d. The New Wine can only be put into the new bottle of the New Kingdom of Heaven. e. When they are kept separate, the two Kingdoms with their different purposes, will have fulfilled their reasons for existence. f. In Luke 5:39, "No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better," the King gives His next slap in the face to the Pharisees and scribes. They were perfectly content with the old laws that their rabbis had corrupted with their thousands of additions and corrections. The new wine the King was offering them in His New Kingdom of Heaven was rejected. g. Please remember, it was under their old corrupted laws that they constantly criticized the King, including Sabbath breaking, eating without washing the hands, etc. Finally, they had their King put to death under those same corrupt laws that could cause them to spit in the face of their God-King and finally have Him nailed to a Roman cross. h. Truly, they loved the booze of the old wine better than the new wine their King was offering them in the New Kingdom of Heaven.
K. The King Confronted With Death:
1. The King is still by the seashore of Galilee. 2. A certain ruler came and worshiped the King. Please See Matthew 2:2,11; Matt. 4:9-10; Matt. 8:2 3. Mark & Luke tell us the ruler's name was Jairus who was a ruler of the synagogue. (Mark 5:22; Luke 8:41). 4. The SYNAGOGUE (sihn' uh gahgue) The local meeting place and assembly of the Jewish people during New Testament times. The synagogue, as we find it in the New Testament, had its roots in the time after Solomon's Temple was destroyed and many of the people were carried into Exile. Local worship and instruction became necessary. Even after many of the Jews returned to Jerusalem and rebuilt the Temple, places of local worship continued. By the time of Jesus these places and assemblies were called synagogues. 5. Note to students: Although it is not our purpose to study Mark and Luke, we do need to refer to them since extra material is added by them. You will note that the accounts given in Matthew, Mark and Luke do occur in the same chronological order. The Holy Spirit, who is the real Author of the Bible, had a purpose or perhaps many purposes in having the events occur in different sequences in the various Books. One reason surely must have been to compel us to study the Bible to glean the truth God wanted us to know God followed a similar plan in the Old Testament. For example: Only the first sixteen books of the Old Testament. are in chronological order (From Genesis to Nehemiah). These Books cover the time from Creation until the year 432 BC. All of the remaining Books are flashbacks sometime during the period covered by the first sixteen Books.
6. Mark and Luke tell us Jairus worshiped the King by falling on his knees before him. 7. Luke tells us that his only daughter was twelve years old and was lying at the point of death when Jairus left his house. 8. Matthew shorten the story by saying that the little girl was dead ( verse 18 ), but Mark and Luke add an interval of time. 9. Matthew tells us that Jairus believed that if only the King would come to his house and lay His hands on the little girl she would live. 10. The King turns to follow Jairus to his home followed by the King's disciples. ( verse 19). Luke tells us that the crowd thronged (engulfed) Him: Luke 8:42.
L. The King Is Interrupted In His Meeting With Death:
1. This is at once a pathetic and yet heart warming story 2. An unnamed woman had been hemorrhaging for twelve years. This was the age of the daughter of Jairus. 3. Mark 5:26 tells us that she had suffered many things of many physicians and had spent all of her money. Rather than getting better, she grew worse. 4. This dear lady who suffered so greatly for twelve years comes up behind the King and touched the hem of His garment (verse 20). 5. She believed that if only she could touch the King's garment she would be healed (verse 21). 6. Mark 5:29 tells us that immediately the hemorrhaging stopped and she felt in her body that she was healed of the plague that caused the hemorrhaging. 7. Luke 8:46-47 tells us that immediately the King wanted to know who touched Him. When no one answered, the lady came trembling, fell down before the King and identified herself. She then testified to the crowd that she had touched the King's garment and was healed instantly 8. Matthew continues the story by saying that the King addressed her as "Daughter" and comforted her The King assured her that it was her faith that had made her whole, (verse 22). 9. This beautiful story reminds us of the King who has compassion on those who are sick.
M. The King Continues His Encounter With Death:
1. Here we have the first account in the Book of Matthew of the King raising the dead. 2. Luke the beloved physician records the question asked by Paul, "Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?" (Acts 26:8 KJB). 3. In Matthew Chapter Ten we shall study the God-like powers given to the Apostles as they announce the truth of the Kingdom, "And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." (Matthew 10:7-8 KJB). 4. Following the healing of the woman with the issue of blood, the King, His disciples and the crowd proceed to the home of Jairus. 5. Mark 5:35 records that it was while the King was speaking to the lady a messenger came from the home of Jairus informing them that the little girl had died. The messenger added that there was no use troubling the King further. It was no hopeless. 6. Mark 5:36 records that the King immediately said to Jairus, "Be not afraid, only believe." 7. As the King comes to the house, He hears the minstrels and the professional mourners weeping and wailing. (verse 23). 8. Luke 8:51 tells us that the King allowed only Peter, James, John and the father and mother of the little girl to go in. 9. When the King told the mourners to stop because the little girl was merely sleeping, they laughed at the King. 10. Sleep is a euphemism (softer word) for death. Please see, 1 Thessalonians 4:13; John 11:11-14. 11. The King and His little Party went into where the little dead girl was lying. (verse 25). 12. The King took her by the hand and the little dead girl came back to life and arose (v. 25). 13. Mark 5:41 tells us that the King said, Talitha cumi. These are not magic hocus pocus words for raising the dead, but merely untranslated words that mean, "Damsel, I say unto thee arise. " (I wouldn't be surprised to hear that some untrained charismatic preacher had tried to use them to see if maybe he could raise the dead by using them). 14. You can be sure that all who witnessed this resurrection were astonished greatly (Mark 5:42). 15. Mark 5:43 tells us that the King said to give the young resurrected girl something to eat. Luke 8:55 tells us that the King said to give her some meat, showing again that meat in the Bible is not necessarily flesh, but anything that is food. 16. Matthew 9:26 said the King's fame went abroad into all that land. The King had told the parents not to tell anyone what happened (Luke 8:56), so that the citizens of the Kingdom would not try to make Him a King for the wrong reasons.
N. The King Performs Additional Miracles:
1. The King now leaves the home of Jairus where He had recently raised the little twelve year old daughter from the dead. 2. Two blind men follow the King: verse 27 3. This is first time in the Book of Matthew where the King is confronted with blind men. 4. Toward the end of His ministry, the King will meet two blind men from Jericho and will heal them, but these are different men. "And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, 0 Lord, thou son of David." (Matthew 20:30 KJB). 5. Note the expression these blind men use in addressing the King, "thou son of David." Used 5 times in Matthew 6. The First time this expression is used is when the angel of the Lord met Joseph to give him the news of the virgin birth. Here it is Joseph who is called, "thou son of David." "But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost." Matthew 1:20 KJB. 7. To revisit this, please review the material in first 3 or 4 pages of this study. 8. The King is addressed in this manner 4 times in Matthew. Each time it is used with the plea, "have mercy on us." Matthew 9:27; Matt. 15:22; Matt. 20:30; Matt. 20:31. 9. Some thoughts on why this expression is used:
b. They believed that the One before them was both King and Messiah Who would bring in the Kingdom with great slaughter of the Lord's enemies. (They did not know at the time that the King would be rejected).
c. With this understanding of what the King would be like, they trembled in His presence and asked for mercy. d. They will learn that the King is also a compassionate King Who is interested in Israel's sorrows, sicknesses and trials. 10. The blind men believed in the Messiah and King. Their King then asked a question before He revealed Himself as a compassionate King. ..... Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord." Matthew 9:28 KJB . 11. Their Beloved King then touched their eyes and assured them that He was healing them because they believed (had faith) that He was their Messiah and King, verse 29 12. The results:
b. Their King gave them a simple command, "See that no man know it. " In other words, don't spread this around to others what I have done for you. 13. Their disobedience: verse 31. In direct disobedience to the King's command, these former blind men spread far and wide what the King had done for them. 14. Conclusions:
b. The King did not heal everyone in every town, obviously Rather, He healed selectively so that He could establish His credentials as the King of Israel. c. His ministry was not primarily healing, but offering Himself as King of the Hebrews. To get bogged down in healing people, would detract from His teaching ministry, even though His heart was full of compassion for the sick. d. Note the summary of His ministry quoted by Luke from the prophet Isaiah, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord." Luke 4:19 KJB. e. The King could have spent three and one half years just healing people to the neglect of His primary mission. Establishing our priorities and sticking to them is a hard lesson we all must learn. Many times in the Lord's work that we must say "NO," even though what we are asked to do is good, right and proper, but simply does not fit into God's priorities for our lives. Neh. 6:3.
O. The King's Next Mission:
1. In this account, it is easy to get the impression that the King's purpose in casting out this devil was to give the Pharisees more rope to hang themselves. Remember, the King healed selectively and for a purpose. The healed person received the benefit, but it was merely a spin off from the Lord's real work to achieve another goal. 2. Example: The account of the man born blind given in John 9:1-3: "And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him." (John 9:1-3 KJB). 3. The Lord caused this baby boy to be born blind, live as a blind person until he was an adult for one reason alone. The King would need an illustration of the relationship between physical blindness and spiritual blindness. Such Bible truth is probably shocking to a selfish person who refuses to acknowledge the priority of God's work. 4. Healing this blind man would give the illustration the King needed to remind the Pharisees that they may have their physical eyesight, but are blind as bats in the spiritual realm. They got the message. 5. The entire 41 verses of John Chapter Nine is devoted to the healing of a blind man. The purpose is given in the closing verses of the chapter: "And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth." (John 9:40-41 KJB). 6. The King was presenting His Messianic and Kingly credential to the religious leaders in Israel. If they would have accepted them, the King would have brought in the Kingdom of Heaven and that would have closed the book. However, the leaders are coming to the place where they will commit the UNPARDONABLE SIN, which is the final and ultimate rejection of the King's credentials offered to Israel under the direction of the Holy Ghost. 7. This blasphemy of the Holy Ghost will cause the King to change directions in His ministry, postpone His New Kingdom of Heaven plans and lay the foundation for His world wide Church Age ministry to be introduced by Paul. 8. This is why the Book of Matthew is so difficult. First we have the King completely updating the laws of Moses given under the Old Kingdom of Heaven program. Then we have the ministry of John the Baptist who is to introduce the King to Israel. The King gives his New Kingdom of Heaven program. The Jews reject the New Kingdom of Heaven program. The King then turns to His ministry of being the Saviour of the world. In the same Book of Matthew, the King tells of the future time of the Tribulation which will precede the coming of the King and the introduction of the New Kingdom of Heaven. It all gets mind boggling and takes real study to separate the various periods of time found in the Book. It is fashionable to jam the Book of Matthew into the Church Age. Such ill treatment of the Book ends in utter confusion and contradiction. 9. With this background, look at our verse: verse 32 .
b. Please review pages on devil possession. c. The King immediately expelled a devil from the body of the man. With this devil exorcized, the man is capable of speaking instantly, verse 33 d. The multitudes were impressed with the work of the King in healing this man. They declared that such a thing had never been seen before in Israel, v. 33 10. Note the reaction of the Pharisees:
b. Undoubtedly, there were many men in the land who were devil possessed. The King picked this one for it suited His purpose to give the Pharisees the opportunity to fall on their faces and cry with Thomas, "My Lord and My God." c. Instead, their hearts became ever harder. They could not deny that a miracle had taken place. Here was the former "dumb" man standing before them completely healed of his devil possession. d. In their utter unbelief and rejection of their King and Messiah, they accused the King of casting out devils through the prince of devils. This, of course, was absurd. Unbelief always has its own answers and excuses for continuing on in unbelief. 11. Later in Matthew when the King gives the Pharisees another chance to accept their King, they give the same ridiculous excuse for rejecting their King: "But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you." (Matthew 12:24-28 KJB). 12. Every miracle the King performs before the Pharisees is to get them to accept His credential as Messiah and King. The Pharisees dig a hole for themselves deeper and deeper as they rebel against the King. 13. In all of these miracles, never lose sight of the fact they are performed by the King so that His people and especially the leaders of Israel will accept Him and His New Kingdom. In other words, the King had a plan that transcended the healing of sick people or performing other miracles. These actions were merely the means to a great end with the sick folks being the beneficiaries of the King's greater plan.
P. The King Continues His Ministry In Galilee:
1. With His critics watching in unbelief, the King continues displaying His credentials as Messiah and King by performing the miracles only God could perform. 2. The King goes about in all the cities and villages of Galilee, teaching the Jews in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the Kingdom (of Heaven). To display His Messianic and Kingly credential to the greatest number of His Hebrew people He healed every type of sickness and disease that anybody had back in those days. 3. The Gospels. Just as we need to distinguish between the Old Kingdom of Heaven, the New Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God, we must get the gospels straight. 4. Notice the different gospels:
b. The Gospel of the New Kingdom of Heaven (New laws given by the Messiah and King for Israel. To be in force for 1,000 years when the King comes back to set up that Kingdom using the "Sermon of the Mount" for His constitution. c. The Gospel of the Church Age: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 KJB. See Romans 10:9-10,13. d. Another Gospel: Galatians 1:6-9 "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed." (Galatians 1:6-9 KJB).
e. The Everlasting Gospel: Revelation 14:6-7 "And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters." (Revelation 14:6-7 KJB).
2. During the last three and one half years of the Tribulation Period, Satan will be seated in the Tribulation Temple declaring he is God. Judas Iscariot, having recently come from Rome, will be with Satan declaring he is christ. The third member of the Satanic trinity will be posing as the Holy Spirit. 3. Notice the Everlasting Gospel preached by an angel will be "Fear God" (Jehovah), give glory to Him, (not to Satan), worship Him that made heaven (not Satan) and all creation. 4. Note: if an angel comes preaching any gospel today in 2005, he will be a fake with a false message. 5. Note: I want to impress upon you students again. Please see that you must get your Bible straight. In the Church Age if you listen to an angel preaching, he will be a fake who will put you under a curse. But in the Tribulation Period, those people must listen and obey the Gospel of the angel to be "saved."
6. Now back to our verse in Matthew 9:35-38
b. He is healing every sickness and disease to authenticate His offer of the Kingdom to the Jews as their King. c. The King was moved with compassion when He saw the multitudes. They fainted, were scattered about like sheep with no shepherd: verse 36 d. Remember, the Jewish leaders were corrupt with no compassion for the real needs of the people. e. Isaiah described them this way: "His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter." (Isaiah 56:10-11 KJB). f. The King then made the following appeal: "Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest." Matthew 9:37-38 KJB. g. The verses are self explanatory. These verses are often applied to the Church Age and the application is valid. There is always more work than there are laborers to do the work. h. Beginning in Chapter Ten we shall see the King calling 12 Apostles to help with the harvest. These men will be the most powerful men who ever walked the face of this earth. Their rewards will be as great as their work.
November 8, 2002 I received this E-mail last night and felt as though a angel sent it. It fits right in with our study. This E-mail and the LINKS provide you with more than enough facts to consider as we weigh the prospect in the next part of our study and how our lives are soon to be impacted. Impacted by Satan and his angels as they seek to destroy Christians anywhere they may be found. We do NOT hear our news networks (they no longer qualify as NEWS) reporting on the savaging of God's people all across the world. Here in the U.S.A. we are being savaged in that we want to be considered POLITICALLY CORRECT and we huddle in the small corners of doubt and fear. Our cowardice is killing Christians here in America just as surely as physical death is being dealt in other areas of the world. Look up my brothers and sisters, your redeemer lives and will soon come. Will you be ready, working and watching? Read this and pray! ~~~~~~~~ I thought you might find this of interest. SmS . http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=29593 FAITH UNDER FIRE
Posted: November 8, 2002
By Art Moore Recent deadly bombings in the Philippines' Muslim-dominated south and in Pakistan have drawn news coverage, but little has been made of the fact that these were attacks specifically aimed at Christians. On Sunday, however, one of the world's most neglected stories will be given attention by millions of people attending 300,000 churches in 130 countries. The International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, now in its seventh year, has mobilized Christians to pray for an estimated 200 million Christians who suffer for their faith and another 400 million who live in countries where their religious practice is restricted. The IDOP grew out of a movement of evangelicals who also provided a groundswell of support to help make concern about religious persecution a factor in U.S. foreign policy. In 1998, Congress passed a bill to set up a section in the State Department on religious freedom and an independent panel to monitor religious freedom around the world. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom makes policy recommendations to the president, secretary of state and Congress. Johan Candelin, the IDOP's global coordinator, based in Finland, says the venues for prayer this Sunday will be diverse, including many where the participants themselves are victims of persecution: "We will pray in big cathedrals in Europe, in small house churches in China, in the forest in Vietnam, in homes on Cuba, in secret meeting rooms in Saudi Arabia, in countryside churches in the US, in big meetings in Venezuela and in youth groups in Africa. ?" Persecution is on the rise, according to Candelin, because the Church is growing faster than ever before and mostly in countries where there is a strong anti-Christian sentiment driven either by politics, nationalism or religious ideology. He says that 1 million new churches have been started in the last 10 years and twice that many are expected in the next decade. About 70,000 new members are added each day. Terry Madison, president of the U.S. affiliate of a sponsoring group, Open Doors, says he has discovered in his travels that persecuted Christians often pray for believers in the West. "Their concern is that they would not be distracted by materialism," he said. Christians in the Central Asian country of Turkmenistan, Madison noted, told one of his group's leaders: "Please pray not that our persecution will go away, but that there will be enough persecution to keep us focused on our Lord, but not too much that it would break us." Countries of concern Totalitarian Turkmenistan, a former Soviet republic, is one of the nations recently recommended by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom as a "country of particular concern," or CPC. Each fall, the secretary of state decides which countries are found to have "engaged in or tolerated particularly severe violations of religious freedom." Once a country is designated, the president opposes those violations with a specified action ranging from a diplomatic demarche, or reprimand, to economic sanctions. The list of countries the USCIRF has recommended to the secretary of state this year reflects the fact that most reported persecution of Christians is carried out under either Islamic or communist regimes. Islamic nations on the list are Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Sudan, while communist regimes are China, North Korea, Laos and Vietnam. The commission's recommendations also include India, where militant Hinduism is on the rise, and Burma's militaristic tribal regime. America's strategic ally and trading partner Saudi Arabia has been recommended several times, but never chosen by the secretary of state as a country of particular concern. Critics point out that this rejection is made despite the State Department's repeated assessment that freedom of religion in the kingdom "does not exist." In its report this year, the USCIRF says the "Chinese government remains a particularly severe violator of religious freedom. Persons continue to be confined, tortured, imprisoned, and subject to other forms of ill treatment on account of their religion or belief." In North Korea, according to the USCIRF, "religious freedom remains essentially non-existent. The commission says it has received reports "that officials have arrested, imprisoned, tortured, and sometimes executed North Korean citizens who were found to have ties with overseas Christian evangelical groups operating across the border in China, as well as those who engaged in such unauthorized religious activities as public religious expression and persuasion." Iraqi Christians have generally enjoyed freedom of worship," the USCIRF says, but "in early 2002, the Iraqi government reportedly passed a law placing all Christian clergy and churches under the control of the Ministry of Islamic Property." Christians praying this Sunday, however, are more likely to focus attention on places like Sudan, where a declared jihad by the militant Khartoum regime on the mostly Christian and animist south has resulted in more than 2 million deaths since 1983. Sudan's government is slaughtering Christians who refuse to convert to Islam, according to Dennis Bennett, executive director of Seattle-based Servant's Heart, a relief group working in the African nation. Villagers in several areas of the northeast Upper Nile region say that when women are captured by government forces they are asked: "Are you Christian or Muslim?" Women who answer "Muslim" are set free, but typically soldiers gang-rape those who answer "Christian" then cut off their breasts and leave them to die as an example for others. 'Scapegoats of choice' Open Doors' Madison said that the International Day of Prayer has had a "marked impact on the church in America and its understanding that there is a part of our body that actually suffers for its faith." The prayer movement began in 1996 through coordination of the World Evangelical Alliance, a global umbrella of national church bodies. In 1998, Prayer for the Persecuted Church, Inc., took oversight of the IDOP organizing efforts in the United States while WEF continues to coordinate the IDOP internationally. Though a Christian effort, it got much of its spark from a Jewish lawyer, who remarked in a 1995 Wall Street Journal article that unless a serious effort is made to confront persecution, Christians are likely to become the "Jews of the 21st century, the scapegoats of choice of the world's thug regimes." Michael J. Horowitz, a former staffer for President Reagan, recalled that an Ethiopian pastor who lived with his family was denied asylum in the U.S. despite being jailed 25 times and enduring torture for his faith. The State Department sent a letter to the immigration service, he said, stating, "There is no persecution of Christians in Ethiopia." Horowitz, senior fellow at the Hudson Institute in Washington, D.C., said that on one occasion the pastor was hanged upside down with hot oil poured on his feet. Former New York Times columnist A.M. Rosenthal, also a Jew, was one of the first in the mainstream media to write about persecution of Christians. In one column, he said: "If I were a Christian, I would complain that Christian leaders, political, religious and business, around the world have failed in their obligations to fight oppression of their co-religionists. I am complaining anyway." Madison said that while most churches in the U.S. have a small core of believers with a passion to pray regularly and lobby on behalf of the persecuted church, most Christians who participate in the day of prayer don't retain their interest after Sunday. "Sadly, most church congregations listen, give assent to prayers ? may actually pray them ? but in terms of long-term change of life, I'm not sure that it's really moved and shaken the church the way we hoped it would," he said. "This is obviously something the Holy Spirit must do." Related stories:
Bombs continue as activists pray for Sudan Midland rocks desert for Sudan U.S. ignoring Sudan's al-Qaida links? Ex-cop champions persecuted in Sudan Sudan jihad forces Islam on Christians Sudan Islamists kill more women, children Christian teacher faces death penalty in Pakistan Christian faces death for 'blasphemy' |
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