Parables of the lost sheep and the unforgiving servant

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

Matthew 18:12-14

          12 " What do you think?  If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?  13 And if he should find it, assuredly I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.14 Even so it is not the will of your Father that one of these little ones should perish.

COMMENTARY

          This parable shows that God himself seeks out sinners and Christians who have gone astray.  In the days of Christ the Pharisees and Sadducees taught that God would receive sinners if they seriously sought His forgiveness.  Yet in this parable it God is seeking out the sinner. The shepherds in those days were responsible for all the sheep. His master would be very upset if one was lost or killed

          Isn't that a wonderful thing to know that God seeks out sinners to bring them to repentance and let them receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?  It was God that sought us out to be saved.  Maybe he is seeking you out right now if you’re a Christian that has gone astray.  If you are turn around repent and return to the flock that Jesus shepherds.

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

Matthew 18:23-35

          23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.  26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ' Master, have patience with me and I will pay you all' 27 Then the master of the servant was moved with compassion, released him and forgave his debt. 28 But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, and ‘Pay me what you owe! 29' So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.'  30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant!  I forgave all that debt because you begged me.

33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?' 34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. 35" So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.

          In this parable the king and master represent God the Father. The first servant who owed an unpayable debt and begged for mercy God forgave him his debt. This represents God's compassionate forgiveness of a sinner who repents. Now this same servant went to one of his fellow servants and demanded what he owed him even putting his hands around the mans throat.  The fellow servant begged him to have patience the same way he had begged and was given forgiveness.  But instead of forgiving his fellow servant he threw him jail until his debt was paid when his fellow servants who represent believers in the parable heard what had happened they were grieved.  Not forgiving others is offensive to other believers and it offends God greatly and He will chasten the unforgiving children that belong to Him. So the servants went to their master (God) and told Him and He was angry.  God is holy and is always angry at sin. Even if it is one of his children.  So He calls the wicked servant before him and hands over to the torturers.  Notice these are not executioners as the servant-believer must be chastened and disciplined.

     COMMENTARY

          Let's read verse 35 again, it’s a very important verse:" So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses." If we do not forgive our brothers and sisters in Christ we also will be disciplined.  We must keep forgiveness in our hearts at all times, so as not to anger our heavenly Father.   

Parable of the Prodigal Son

The Parable of the Prodigal Son

Luke15:11-32

          11 then He said, "A certain man had two sons.  12 And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father gives me the portion of goods that falls to me. 'So he divided to them his livelihood.  13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.  14 But when he had spent all, there arose a famine in that land and he began to be in want. 15 to a citizen of that country, and he sent him to feed swine, 16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.  But when he came to himself, he said' How many of my fathers hired servants have bread

enough to spare, and I perish with hunger!  18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him," Father I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer

before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son.  Make me like one of your hired servants.'"  20 And he arose and came to his father.  But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and

21 And the son said to him, 'Father I have sinned against heaven and in your

sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son,' 22 "But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.  23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry;  24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'  And they began to be merry.  25 "Now his older son was in the field.  And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.  26 So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.  27 And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.'  28 But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded wit him.  29 So he answered and said to his father, 'Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat that I might make merry with my friends.  30 But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him,' 31 "And he said to him, 'Son you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.  32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found."

EXPLANATION

          The parable of the Prodigal Son is one of the most loved parables. It begins with a certain man who had two sons.  His youngest son wanted his inheritance while his father gathered all together and left his father and brother and journeyed into a far off land and into a life of iniquity, sexual possessions with prodigal living." He wasted all his possession with Prodigal living is not merely wasteful extravagance but also sexual immorality.   With no money he was force take a job feeding swine which was so

degrading for a Jew to touch unclean animals.  He was so hungry that he thought he would eat the pods that were for the swine but they were not for human consumption.

          Then it finally came to him in, the mire of the disgusting swine, broke, and starving he was now ready to repent.  In verses 18 and 19 he says 'I will arise and go to my father and say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son, Make me like one of your hired servants.” So he got up and went back to his father, who saw him from a distance and had compassion and ran out to greet him.  He fell on his neck and kissed him, but before he

could get the rehearsed statement out," Father I sinned against heaven and am no longer worthy to called your son"  his father ad already told his servants to bring him the best robe and put it on him and get him a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. He also

told his servants to kill the fatted calf and to eat and be merry.  And he said in verse 24 "for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and now he is found. And they began to me you.

          This is an analogy of how a lost sinner or backslidden Christian returns to God.  He will be ready to forgive them and run out to meet them.  And the Bible tells us to there is no greater merriment in heaven then when a sinner repents and gives his life and his heart to our Lord Jesus Christ.

          But now the older brother returned from working in the fields and heard the music and a servant told him his brother had come home but he refused to join the party.  So his father had to go plead with him. Hi older son said to him, "Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat that I might make merry with my friends.  But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots; you killed the fatted calf for him,"

          While he should have joined in his father joy he shows utter contempt for his father instead. His statement of "never transgressed your commandment" shows of religious hypocrisy.  The kind of comment a self righteous comment a Pharisee would make.

          In verses 31 and 32 his father answers him, "Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.  It was right that we should make merry and glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found." But nothing could make his eldest son join in his joy.

APPLICATION

          The parable of the prodigal son shows us the abounding forgiveness and grace God has for us.  The Father represents God in the parable.  When the prodigal son came back with a repentant heart God was there to meet him and show him grace and forgiveness. No questions asked just forgiveness and grace given.  Are you a prodigal son a lost sinner or backslidden Christian God is ready to meet you right now. Just repent as the prodigal son did and take Jesus Christ into your hear as Lord and Savior.

The Parable of the Wedding Feast

Matthew 22:2-14

          2" The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, 3 and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. 4 Again, he sent out other servants, saying 'Tell those who are invited, "See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready.  Come to the wedding."  5 But they made light of it and went there ways, one to his own farm, another to his business.  6 And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them.  7 But when the king heard about it he was furious.  And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.

8 Then he said to his servants 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.  9 Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find invite to the wedding.'  10 So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good.  And the wedding hall was filled with guests.

11 But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment.  12 So he said to him 'Friend, how did you come in without a wedding garment?'  And he was speechless.  13 Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him away and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth,' 14 " For many are called, but few are chosen."

EXPLANATION

The King in this parable is God the Father.  The king was having a wedding for his son and he sent his servants to invite everyone but everyone was apathetic and didn't want to come.  So he sent out other servant which shows Gods patience with those who ignore him.  He continues to send the invitation even after His goodness has been ignored.  But these servants were killed.  God's patience was exhausted.  He sent His army out to kill the murderers and burn the city to the ground.  This very incident occurred to Jerusalem in 70AD.  Even the temple was destroyed by fire and reduced to rubble, just as Jesus prophesied would occur.  God then sent his servants to the highways to gather any they could invite to the wedding.  This illustrates the free offer of the gospel and God's grace is for anyone to accept.  It is a free gift.  

          The man who did not have a wedding garment on obviously did not choose to wear one even though the king (God) supplied the garment rejected God's grace. His was a greater insult to God then the ones didn't come because he insulted God right in his presence. And he had no excuse. So God ordered him bound and thrown in "outer darkness" where there is "weeping and gnashing of teeth" a description Jesus uses often to describe Hell.

APPLICATION

           

It is not a good thing for someone to ignore or reject the free gift of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. And that happens often when we share on faith and witness to someone. They are not ignoring or rejecting you they are rejecting or ignoring Christ.  If you're that person you are receiving another chance by reading this and it may or may not be you last chance to accept the free gift of salvation. If you are that person I strongly suggest you go to your knees and repent and take Jesus Christ into your heart and allow him control of your life

         

The Parable of the Fig Tree

Matthew 24:32-44

32 "Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and put forth leaves, you know that summer is near.  33 So you also, when you see these things, know that it is near---at the doors!  34 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.  35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.  36 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.  37 But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.  38 For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until, . 

Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took them all away so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40" Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left.  41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be

taken and the other left 42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.  43 But know this that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.

 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

EXPLANATION

          Some believe the budding of the fig tree represents Israel becoming a nation again which occurred in 1948.  I to believe this interpretation and believe we are living in the days of Noah. Earlier in the chapter Jesus talked about further about the end times. He says in verse 15 " Therefore when you see the abomination of desolation spoken by Daniel the prophet standing in the holy place (whoever reads let him understand.) He was referring to the prophet Daniel speaking of the abomination and desolation of the temple by the Antichrist. In Israel today there is a major movement to rebuild the temple and it could be done in a short span of time. And this generation is certainly as wicked as in the days of Noah. So it is my belief that we are nearing the end times and the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

APPLICATION

          If we are in the end times as I believe are you ready to meet Jesus. If not I would tell you to get ready quickly.  Because as He said He would come as a thief in the night.  Are you saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Spirit. If not you take this opportunity to repent and allow Jesus to be Lord of your life.  For if you're not saved the end times may fall upon you at any moment.

The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins

Matthew 25:1-13

         

          1 "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise and five were foolish.  3 Those who were foolish took their lamps but took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.  5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6 "And at midnight a cry was heard 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming go out; and meet him!'  7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to wise, 'give us some of your oil, for are lamps are going out.'  9 But the wise answered saying, ' No, lest there should not be enough left for us and you, but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.  10 And while they went to buy,."the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and

the door was shut.  11 "Afterward the other virgins came also, saying,' Lord, Lord open to us!" 12 But he answered and said, ' Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.'  13

Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. 

EXPLANATION

          In those days the wedding would begin at the bride's house when the bridegroom arrived to observe the wedding ritual. Then a procession would follow as the bridegroom took the bride to his house for completion of the festivities.  For a night wedding lamps which were actually torches, were need for the procession.  In this parable the five wise virgins were ready because they brought extra oil for their lamps. They were prepared where as the other five foolish virgins had not and had to go buy some. By the time they returned the door was shut.  They asked the Lord to open the door for them but he answered that he did not know them.  They were not prepared when the Son of Man returned. That is the meaning of the parable to be prepared for His return at any time.

APPLICATION

          The parable of the ten virgins should show the importance of being ready for Christ's return at any time even if He delays longer than expected. For when He does come back there will be no second chances. So as the Apostle Paul wrote "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.  Do you not know yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you? ----- unless indeed you are disqualified."

2 Corinthians 13:5

Bread of Life

Bread of Life

John 6:22-59

          22 On the following day, when the people who were standing on the other side of the sea saw that there was no boat there, except that one which His disciples had entered, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with His disciples, but His disciples had gone away alone-----23 however, other boats came from Tiberius, near the place where they ate bread after the Lord had given thanks-----24 when the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus.  25 And they found Him on the other side of the sea; they said to Him, "Rabbi, when did you come here?" 26 Jesus answered them and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate the loaves and were filled.  27 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him 28 Then they said to Him, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?"

 29 Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God that you believe in Him whom He sent." 30 Therefore they said to Him, "What sign will you perform then, that we may see it and believe you?  What work will you do? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, "He gave them bread from heaven to eat" 32Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven.  33 For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." 34 Then they said to Him, "Lord, give us this bread always." 35 And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life.  He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.  36 But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe.  37All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.  38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.  39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.  40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day." 41 The Jews then complained about Him because He said, "I am the bread which came down from heaven.  42 And they said, "Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know?  How it He says I have come down from heaven?" 43 Jesus therefore answered and said to them, "Do not murmur among yourselves. 44 No one ca come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him and I will raise him up on the last day. 

 45 It is written in the prophets.  'And they shall be taught by God ' Therefore everyone who is drawn by the Father comes to Me. 46 Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God; He has seen the Father.  47 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.  48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate manna in the wilderness, and are dead  50 This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread he will live forever; and the bread  and the bread I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world." 52 the Jews quarreled among themselves saying, "How can this Man give us His flesh to eat." 53 Then Jesus to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For My flesh is food indeed and My blood is drink indeed. 56 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abide in Me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me.  58 This is the bread which came down from heaven------not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead.  He who eats this bread lives forever."  59 These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum.

 Commentary

The multitude had seen only one boat.  Since Jesus had not entered the boat they began searching for Him.  When they found Him, Jesus wanted to tell them of the food (Jesus had just fed the five thousand) that never perishes but "endures to everlasting life", which the Son of Man can provide.  The fact that the Father had set a seal on Him means the Father authorized Him as the Giver of Life.  But when Jesus said "believe in Him who He sent" the multitudes demanded a sign even though He had just fed the five thousand.

          In verse thirty two the crowd misrepresented the truth in that the manna that they thought was a sign of Moses when in fact it was God who sent the manna.  Moreover God was offering "true bread" through His Son who is the bread of life that whoever believes in has eternal life. In verse thirty five "bread of life" means bread which supplies eternal life.  Not like the manna that supplied that supplied physical needs.  The bread Jesus was offering satisfies spiritual needs forever.

          In verse thirty six He states "that you have seen Me and yet do not believe" Seeing miracles and sign like the feeding of five thousand doe not make one a believer.  Most just want to see more miracles or signs which is a perverse generation.  But He blesses those who have not seen and believe. (John 20:29) In verse thirty seven He explains that those the Father draws to Him He will not lose.  In the following verse He explains to them that He is only doing His Father will.

          In verses thirty nine and forty He explains to them the will of the Father. That is that all who believe in the Son will be received and all that believe in the Son will have everlasting life.

          The Jews that are complaining about Him in verse forty one are of the council.  When Jesus said that He "was the bread come down from heaves" the religious leaders knew His parents so believed He could not have come down from heaven. Jesus told them to stop murmuring.  In verse forty five he quotes Isaiah 54:13 in that all will be "taught by God."  God the Father draws people with His teaching and whoever learns from God comes to Christ.

          In verses forty six and forty seven Jesus declares no one has seen God.  Except He the Son of God has seen the Father.

          In verses forty eight and forty nine Jesus again declares He is the bread of life and whoever eats of this bread has eternal life.  Once again comparing it to the manna from that only sustained life but those people eventually died.

          Anyone who eats of His bread and drinks of His blood will be saved. These are synonyms for faith. The Jewish leaders took it literally while Jesus was speaking figuratively.  In verses fifty three through fifty eight Jesus has made it clear that believing in Him brings eternal life.  The verses also teach the benefits of His death in that it must be believed by faith by each person.

Faith

What Faith Is

In the general sense of the word, to have faith is to believe in something or someone, to fully trust, to be so confident that you base your actions on what you believe. To have faith is to be fully convinced of the truthfulness and reliability of that in which you believe.

Faith in God then, is having the kind of trust and confidence in God and in Christ that leads you to commit your whole soul to Him as Saviour (Justifier, Cleanser, Healer, Deliverer) and Lord (Master, King).

The NIV translation says, "Faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1 NIV).

The NKJV of the Bible says, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1).

Faith is a spiritual substance. When you have this spiritual substance in you, it communicates to you a certain inner knowing that the thing you are hoping for is certainly established, even before you see any material evidence that it has happened.

Faith is a spiritual force. Faith in God is a response to God's Word which moves God to act. Jesus said in Mark 11:23, "For assuredly I say to you, whoever SAYS to this mountain, 'Be removed and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but BELIEVES that those things he SAYS will be done, he will HAVE whatever he SAYS." Words mixed with the real, pure faith can and will move mountains or any other problem that we face.

Faith in God must be from the heart. It is not merely intellectual. It is spiritual. "For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:10)

Faith causes you to know in your heart before you see with your eyes. "For we walk by faith, not by sight." (2Cor 5.7)

Some say, "Seeing is believing." Once you see the thing hoped for already existing in the natural order, you don't need faith.

Hope is a condition for faith. Hope is "a positive unwavering expectation of good". Hope is for the mind (1 Thessalonians 5:8; Hebrews 6:19), an anchor for the soul. It keeps us in the place where we can believe, but it is not in itself "faith". Yet, without hope there are no "things hoped for", and therefore there cannot be faith.

Through faith we can know we have the answer to our prayer before we see anything change in the natural order (1 John 5:14,15). Jesus said, "Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them." (Mk 11:24). God expects us, even commands us, to believe that our petitions are answered by God AT THE MOMENT WE MAKE THEM. We must believe that the response is immediately sent WHEN we pray. Faith is like the confirmation slip in our hearts that the goods are on the way. We have that confirmation slip instantly from God. We sense it in our hearts. The manifestation of those goods, the answer received, comes later as long as we are patient and do not throw away our confidence. (Hebrews 10:35-39; Hebrews 6:12)

Faith is like a cheque. All you have to do is hold on to the cheque, go to the bank to present it and you can confidently expect the money to appear in your account after a certain time. If you throw the cheque away the money will not be put in your account. God is trustworthy and always has resources to back his promises.

Living faith always has corresponding actions. We talk what we really believe, and we act according to what we really believe. The heroes of faith like Abraham were considered men of faith because they acted on what God showed them. They acted on their faith. (Hebrews 11:17-38, James 2:21-23).

To live in faith means to do and say what you believe is right, without doubting.

Faith is a rest. It is compatible with inner peace. It is not "trying to believe". To say that you are "trying to believe" God is to say that you don't believe Him. The man who is "trying to believe" may be sincere, but he does not have faith in that area yet. 

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Why We Must Believe God

Why must we believe God? Hebrews 11:6 says, "But without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."

"Whatever is not of faith is sin" (Romans 14:23) and God hates sin. When we don't believe God, we treat Him like He is a liar. Remember that He is everywhere and sees all things. He is hurt when we act like He doesn't exist, or that He will not do what He promised to do. Only when we have confidence in God and His Word can we please Him.

Lack of faith leads to lack of obedience. God's commands can only really be fulfilled through faith. Without confidence in God's promises a man will never really do what God says. Lack of obedience in God's eyes is rebellion. Such lack of obedience dishonors God and surely deserves to be punished.

"The just shall live by faith" (Romans 1:17). We must live by faith in order to be considered by God "right" and "correct". Otherwise we stand condemned.

Those who don't believe God inevitably believe in something else. Either religious tradition, or their understanding of science, or what the women's magazine says, or what their next door neighbour tells them, the education system, the mass-media or a combination of all these things. God is not impressed. "Professing to be wise, they became fools." (Romans 1:22) In fact, those who don't fully believing God end up believing the devil somewhere along the track. It is very possible to believe what the devil says without even believing that he exists! Satan is speaking through so many philosophies and religions without openly declaring himself. Not too many actually know they are trusting the words of satan and his demons.

God is therefore righteous in expecting us to believe in Him and what He says. Who is better qualified to tell us the truth and help us to find answers for life and eternity? 

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Benefits of Faith.

The Bible teaches us that genuine faith is "more precious than gold that perishes" (1 Peter 1:7). Indeed such faith is going to be "tested by fire". You can expect difficulties and persecutions in your life of faith, as well as blessings. Therefore to encourage you to hold onto and develop your faith, we will consider some of the benefits of faith.

1. Faith brings salvation. (Ephesians 2:8,9). Whosever believes in Him has eternal life. (John 3:16), and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. (John 5:24). The just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:17)

2. Faith brings answers to prayer. "And whatever things you ask in prayer, really believing, you will receive." (Matthew 21:22). Since God tells us to pray for our daily bread (Matthew 6:11), faith is therefore a key to our material provision.

3. Faith brings all the benefits of salvation into our lives (Ephesians 2:8,9). This includes healing, prosperity, peace, love, joy (1 Peter 1:8), deliverance from demons and the curse, sanctificationof the mind and emotions (the salvation of the soul) and any other benefit which the word of Godpromises to us.

4. Faith is a spiritual force through which our ministry for Christ becomes effective. (Mark 11:23; Matthew 17:19,20). Faith is a major key to ministry success. It brings to you what you need for your ministry, and by imparting it to others through your life and your ministry of God's Word, you enable them to receive the blessings of God's grace mentioned above.

5. In particular, faith is the major key for an effective healing and deliverance ministry. Jesus Christ "the same yesterday, today and forever" lives in the Christian (Hebrews 13:8, Galatians 2:20), and through the Christian wants to reveal the power of salvation to men in a way they can see and feel. In this way, our evangelism concerning the Kingdom of God will not be in talk, but in power (1 Corinthians 4:20). 

Christ Witnesses to Nicodemus

Christ Witnesses to Nicodemus

John 3:1-21

            There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him."

            3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."

            4 Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born again when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?

             5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and

The Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.  6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  7 Do not marvel that I said to you'

'You must be born again' 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the spirit."

            9 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, "How can these things be?"  

            10 Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?  11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what we have seen, and do not receive Our witness.  12 If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?  13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven that is the Son of Man who is in heaven.  14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the through him the world might be saved.  18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness instead rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deed should be exposed.  21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.

Commentary

            That Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews meant he was on the Jewish council or Sanhedrin.  The fact that he came at night to visit Jesus as verse 2 states tells us he probably did not want his peers. He ends up coming to believe in Jesus and actually risks his own life and reputation to give Jesus a decent burial (John 19:38-42).  In verse 3 Jesus tell Nicodemus you must be born again to enter heaven. The Greek word for again can mean "from above" or "anew."  Jesus is talking about the new birth or regeneration which is the act by which God imparts spiritual life to one who trusts in Jesus as the Holy Spirit enters them.

           

            In verse five Jesus talks of being born of water and the Spirit. Jesus was using Old Testament imagery with water referring to the work of God above.  In verse six where He mentions "flesh is flesh" is that flesh cannot be made spirit.  A person must experience spiritual regeneration. In verse eight Jesus uses the wind to illustrate the Holy Spirit.  As the wind blows where it wills so the Holy Spirit works sovereignly.  And no one knows the origin or destination of the wind but everyone knows its there.  The same is true of the Holy Spirit. 

            In verses ten, eleven, and twelve Jesus rebukes Nicodemus and all of the Pharisees for not knowing about spiritual regeneration or the new birth,  Jesus tells Nicodemus  in verse twelve that if He told him of earthly things such as the new birth, the wind or His miracles, how could Jesus tell him of heavenly thing like His resurrection, His ascension to heaven, or the coming of the Holy Spirit.  Although Nicodemus probably believed Jesus' miracles while most Pharisee did not.

            In verse fourteen He tells Nicodemus that the Son of Man must be lifted up much like Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness. (Numbers21:9)  In verse fifteen He tells Nicodemus whoever trusts in Him will receive eternal life. Verse sixteen shows God's love is not restricted to one nation or to a special elite but to the whole world. Jesus explains in verse seventeen that He came that so that the world might be saved through Him.  But in verse eighteen He separates those that believe in Him are not condemned, but those who do not believe are "condemned already"

            Jesus explains in verse twenty those who practice evil hate the light.  These people are reprobate who would rather live their lives without God. They do not do their deeds in the light "lest they be exposed."  "But he who does the truth" He explains in verse twenty-one is a true believer with genuine faith in Christ.

Jesus taught two lessons in this passage (vv. 7-14). First He spoke to the guests, telling them not to seek places of honor (vv. 7-11). Service is more important in God’s kingdom than status. Second, he told the host not to be exclusive about whom he invites (vv. 12-14). It is so easy in life to place more emphasis on reputation than on character. Just as it was in this passage, it can seem more important to us to be recognized by the right people than to live the right kind of life.

What Jesus observes in this Pharisees’ house reveals a wrong attitude, so he gives a parable concerning it. In New Testament times, the closer you sat to the host, the higher you stood on the social ladder, and the more attention you would receive from others. We need to realize that God is not impressed by our status in society or in the church. He is not influenced by what people say or think about us, because He sees the thoughts and motives of the heart (I Samuel 16:7). Some people try to give the appearance of humility in order to manipulate others. Humility is not self-degradation; it is the realistic assessment and commitment to serve.

Jesus spoke to the host, telling him that if he would invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind and people who could never repay him, he would be showing that he was ministering to them for the Lord’s sake and not his own (vv. 12-14). This does not mean that we should never invite our family or friends to our homes for hospitality. He is simply warning us against entertaining only family and friends exclusive­ly. God opens His kingdom to everyone.

I should never try to impress people but look for a place where I can serve. If God wants me to serve on a wider scale, He will arrange for me to have a place of higher position.


We are reading Proverbs 3 and Psalms 4-7

The Doctor and the Sick

The Doctor and the Sick

Scripture:   Luke 5:27-32 (Matthew 9:12; Mark 2:17)27 After this he went out, and saw a tax collector, named Levi, sitting at the tax office; and he said to him, "Follow me." 28 And he left everything, and rose and followed him. 29 And Levi made him a great feast in his house; and there was a large company of tax collectors and others sitting at table with them. 30 And the Pharisees and their scribes murmured against his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" 31 And Jesus answered them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
Meditation: People in Palestine were divided into roughly two groups: the orthodox Jews who rigidly kept the law and all its petty regulations, and the rest who didn't keep all the minute regulations. The orthodox treated the latter like second class citizens.  They scrupulously avoided their company, refused to do business with them, refused to give or receive anything from them, refused to intermarry, and avoided any form of entertainment with them, including table fellowship. Jesus' association with the latter, especially  with tax collectors and sinners, shocked the sensibilities of these orthodox Jews.  In calling Matthew to be one of his disciples, Jesus picked one of the unlikeliest of men -- a tax collector who by profession was despised by the Jewish people.  When the Pharisees challenged his unorthodox behavior in eating with public sinners, Jesus' defence was quite simple.  A doctor doesn't need to visit healthy people; instead he goes to those who are sick.  Jesus likewise sought out those in the greatest need. A true physician seeks healing of the whole person -- body, mind, and spirit.  Jesus came as the divine physician and good shepherd to care for his people and to restore them to wholeness of life. The orthodox were so preoccupied with their own practice of religion that they neglected to help the very people who needed the greatest care. Their religion was selfish because they didn't want to have anything to do with people not like themselves. Jesus stated his mission in unequivocal terms: I came  not to call the righteous, but to call sinners.  Ironically the orthodox were as needy as those they despised.  All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom show them mercy and kindness?
"Lord Jesus, our Savior, let us now come to you: Our hearts are cold; Lord, warm them with your selfless love.  Our hearts are sinful; cleanse them with your precious blood.  Our hearts are weak; strengthen them with your joyous Spirit.  Our hearts are empty; fill them with your divine presence.  Lord Jesus, our hearts are yours; possess them always and only for yourself."

The Defendant

The Defendant

Scripture:  Luke 12:57-5957 "And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?58 As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison. 59 I tell you, you will never get out till you have paid the very last copper."
Meditation: A number of Jesus' parables deal with crises and impending judgment. What's the point of the parable of the defendant? When you see trouble ahead, foresight can help you avert the worst! If you were up against a bad cause and were likely to get severely penalized, would you not try to settle the case out-of-court to avoid a worse penalty?  This parable points to the urgency of getting right with God. Each of us stands in constant need of God's love and mercy.   His light reveals what is in our hearts and his grace frees us from the tyranny of sin. God's call is urgent and his grace is available for complete transformation in Christ.  Are you ready for his grace and action in your life?
"Lord, change my heart and my life that I may fully live for you.  Help me to choose what is right and to turn away from every sin and from every attachment to worldliness which keeps me from loving and serving you wholeheartedly."

Philemon

Now lets look at a postcard that the Apostle Paul that he sent to us about 2000 years ago.  He sent it for us to read and learn from. It is the letter to Philemon. Philemon Paul a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and                            14 But without your consent I Timothy our brother, to Philemon our                         wanted to do nothing, that your beloved friend and fellow laborer,                               good deed might not be by 2 the Apphia, Archippus our fellow                             compulsion, as it were, but                             soldier, and to the church in your                                 voluntary. house:                                                                           15 For perhaps he departed for a 3 Grace to you and peace from God                            while for this purpose, that you our Father and Lord Jesus Christ.                                might receive him forever, 4 I thank my God, making mention                             16 no longer as a slave but more Of you always in my prayers,                                       more than a slave—a beloved 5 hearing of you love and faith                                    brother, especially to me but how  which you have toward the Lord                                much more to you, both in the Jesus Christ and toward all the                                    flesh and in the Lord. saints,                                                                           17 If then you count me as a partner, 6 that the sharing of your faith may                             receive him as you would me.                            become effective by the acknowl-                               18 But if he has wronged you or edgment of every good thing which                             or owes anything, put that on my in you in Christ Jesus.                                                   account. 7 For we have great joy and con-                                 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my solation in your love, because the                                hand.  I will repay—not to mention the hearts of saints have been refreshed                       that you owe me even your own by you brother.                                                             self besides. 8 Therefore, though I might be very                            20 Yes, brother, let me have joy                           bold in Christ to command you                                    from you in the Lord; refresh my what is fitting,                                                               heart in the Lord. 9 yet for loves sake I rather appeal                               21 Having confidence in your to you- being such a one as Paul the                             obedience, I write to you, knowing                             aged, and now also a prisoner of                                   that you will even do more than I Jesus Christ-                                                                  say 10 I appeal to you for my son                                       22 But, meanwhile, also prepare a   Onesimus, whom I have begotten                                 guest room for me, for I trust that while in my chains,                                                        through your prayers I shall be 11 who once was unprofitable to you                           granted to you. but now is profitable to and to me.                               23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner 12 I am sending him back.  You                                   in Jesus Christ, greets you, therefore receive him, that is, my                                 24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, own heart,                                                                     Luke, my fellow laborers. 13 whom I wished to keep with me,                            25 The grace of our Lord Jesus that on your behalf he might minister                           Christ be with your spirit. to me in my chains for the gospel.                                Amen.             This postcard is a very personal one for the apostle Paul.  As a matter only Timothy and Titus received personal letters from Paul besides this man Philemon.  In verses 1&2 Paul identifies himself as the author of the letter and personally names Philemon as the recipient.             It should be noted at this time that Paul was writing this letter from imprisonment in Rome. Philemon is a wealthy member of the Colossian church which met at his home as there were no church buildings until the third century.  Philemon is also the master of the slave Onesimus who had fled from his master as we see later in the letter. Apphia and Archippus are probably Philemon’s wife and son.             In verse 3 Paul continues his greeting in the typical fashion of the time by offering grace and peace to Philemon in the name of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  In verse 4 Paul reminds Philemon that he is praying for him.             Verse 5 is written in a Chiastic version of Greek as love in the verse relates to the saints and the genuine saving faith that Philemon had in our Lord Jesus Christ.  In verse 6 Paul talks to Philemon about sharing his faith with others.  Paul wants Philemon to share his faith with others by telling him what Jesus had done for him.             In verse 7 Paul shows he is not just of Philemon’s love and faith, but the Apostle Paul had joy for him even while he was imprisoned. Philemon’s love and faith brought “ great joy and encouragement” to Paul and that the hearts of the saints. Thus encouraging them emotionally and refreshing them spiritually.             In verses 8 through 16 Paul begins his plea for Onesimus.  In verse 8 Paul reminds Philemon that he could use his authority as an Apostle to command Philemon concerning Onesimus. Yet in verse Paul chooses to appeal to Philemon out of loves sake. This begins the theme of the letter which I believe is love and forgiveness.  In verse 10 Paul appeals to Philemon’s love and forgiveness for Onesimus the runaway slave that Paul had led to the Lord while in Rome. Paul even states in verse 11 that Onesimus was once unprofitable to Philemon is now profitable to both he and Paul.             In verse 12 Paul announces that he is sending Onesimus back to Philemon, even though Onesimus had become a part of Paul’s own heart.  Paul is basically referring the case of Onesimus and his runaway slave status.  Even though in verse 13 Paul lets Philemon know that he wished to keep Onesimus in Rome to” minister to him while he was in chains for the gospel.” Once again he is refusing to use his apostolic authority.  Instead he is relying on Philemon to make the decision. But of course Paul does not wish him to treat him as a runaway slave.              In verse 14 Paul reiterates again that he would nothing without Philemon’s permission.  He would act on Philemon’s “consent. “   Philemon’s “good deed” had to be “voluntary” A good action for Christ should never be forced upon someone.  Paul had already given Philemon several reasons to forgive Onesimus; but Philemon’s action had to come from his own love and forgiveness. It had to be an act of genuine faith by Philemon.             Paul even states in verse 15 that “perhaps” he may have run away to be lead to the faith by Paul and that he might receive Onesimus no longer as just a slave but a beloved brother in Christ as he is to Paul.  Notice here Paul did not ask for Onesimus’s freedom, but that Philemon receives his slave as a brother in Christ.  It was not Paul’s intention to attack or abolish slavery.  But as brothers in Christ both master and slave could fellowship with one another and treat each other with love. That’s what he tells him in verse 16.  In verse 17 Paul even tells Philemon “If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me.  Paul is literally asking Philemon to treat Onesimus the same as he would treat Paul if it was Paul visiting.             Paul, in verse 18 tells Philemon “But if he has wronged or owes anything put that on my account. This shows the genuine faith in the Apostle Paul in that he was willing to carry the burden and debt of a brother in Christ. It an example we as Christians should follow today.  In verse 19 Paul reaffirms he would and lets Philemon it was he Paul writing the letter himself and that Philemon owed Paul something even greater than “even your own self  besides.”  This was most probable that it was Paul that led Philemon to Jesus, a debt that Philemon could never repay.             In verse 20 Paul asks to let him have “joy” in that by forgiving Onesimus he would show forgiveness and genuine faith to the whole church at Colosse and bring joy to an apostle in chains.  Furthermore, in verse 21, Paul is expecting obedience in forgiving Onesimus and even to welcome him back enthusiastically.             Paul asks in verse 22 that Philemon keep a room ready for him as Paul expected “I will be granted to you.”  Paul expected to be released from prison in the near future after which planned to visit the Colossians.             In Paul’s farewell in verses 23-25 he mentions that Epaphras, his fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus greeted him, as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke his fellow laborers. He ends his letter with a simple prayer for Philemon that “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.             Its interesting that Paul mentions Mark because Paul severed ties with Mark only to forgive him later This might remind Philemon that he must as a child of Christ forgive Onesimus and bring him back into the fold not just as a slave, but as a brother in Christ

Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers

The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers

12 Then He began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. ² Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the vinedressers. ³ And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed.⁴ Again he sent them another servant, and at him they threw stones,^[a] wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated. ⁵ And again he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some. ⁶ Therefore still having one son, his beloved, he also sent him to them last, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ ⁷ But those vinedressers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ ⁸ So they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard.

⁹ “Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others. ¹⁰ Have you not even read this Scripture:

‘The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
¹¹ This was the Lord’s doing,
And it is marvelous in our eyes’?”^[b]

¹² And they sought to lay hands on Him, but feared the multitude, for they knew He had spoken the parable against them. So they left Him and went away.

The Pharisees: Is It Lawful to Pay Taxes to Caesar?

¹³ Then they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in Hiswords. ¹⁴ When they had come, they said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? ¹⁵ Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?”

But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why do you test Me? Bring Me a denarius that I may see it.” ¹⁶ So they brought it.

And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.”

¹⁷ And Jesus answered and said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

And they marveled at Him.

The Sadducees: What About the Resurrection?

¹⁸ Then some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him; and they asked Him, saying: ¹⁹ “Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man’s brother dies, and leaves hiswife behind, and leaves no children, his brother should take his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. ²⁰ Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife; and dying, he left no offspring. ²¹ And the second took her, and he died; nor did he leave any offspring. And the third likewise. ²² So the seven had her and left no offspring. Last of all the woman died also. ²³ Therefore, in the resurrection, when they rise, whose wife will she be? For all seven had her as wife.”

²⁴ Jesus answered and said to them, “Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God? ²⁵ For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. ²⁶ But concerning the dead, that they rise, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the burning bushpassage, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?^[c] 27 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. You are therefore greatly mistaken.”

The Scribes: Which Is the First Commandment of All?

²⁸ Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving^[d] that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the first commandment of all?”

²⁹ Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lordour God, the Lord is one. ³⁰ And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’^[e] This is the first commandment.^[f] 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’^[g] There is no other commandment greater than these.”

³² So the scribe said to Him, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He. ³³ And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul,^[h] and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

³⁴ Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”

But after that no one dared question Him.

Jesus: How Can David Call His Descendant Lord?

³⁵ Then Jesus answered and said, while He taught in the temple, “How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David? ³⁶ For David himself said by the Holy Spirit:

‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”’^[i]

³⁷ Therefore David himself calls Him ‘Lord’; how is He then his Son?”

And the common people heard Him gladly.

Beware of the Scribes

³⁸ Then He said to them in His teaching, “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, ³⁹ the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, ⁴⁰ who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”

The Widow’s Two Mites

⁴¹ Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. ⁴² Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites,^[j] which make a quadrans. ⁴³ So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; ⁴⁴ for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.                                                      Explanation

The King in this parable is God the Father. The King was having a wedding or His son and He sent His servants to invite everyone - but everyone was apathetic and didn't want to come. So, he sent out other servants which shows God's patience with those who ignore Him. He continues to send the invitation even after His goodness has been ignored. But those servants were killed. God's patience was exhausted. He sent His army out to kill the murderers and burn the city to the ground. this very incident occurred to Jerusalem in 70 AD. Even the temple was destroyed by fire and reduced to rubble, just as Jesus prophesied would occur. God then sent His servants to the highways to gather any they could invite to the wedding. This illustrates the free offer of the gospel and God's grace is for everyone to accept. It is a free gift.

The man who did not have a wedding garment on obviously did not choose to wear one even though the King (God) supplied the garment rejected God's grace. His was a greater insult to God because he insulted God right in His presence. And he had no excuse. So God ordered him bound and thrown in "outer darkness" where there is "weeping and gnashing of teeth", a description Jesus uses often to describe Hell.

Commentary

It is not good thing for someone to ignore or reject the free gift of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. And that happens often when we share our faith and witness to someone. They are not ignoring or rejecting you, they are rejecting or ignoring Christ. If you are that person, you are receiving another chance by reading this, and it may or may not be your last chance to accept the gift of salvation. If you are that person- I strongly suggest/urge you to go to your knees and repent and ask Jesus Christ into your heart and allow Him to have control of your life.