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Matthew 28:1-10             On the morning of Jesus’ resurrection there was a lot of activity and excitement.  Besides Jesus’ rising from the dead (which no one observed), a great earthquake occurred when an angel of the Lord came and rolled the stone from the tomb’s entrance.  When the women came and encountered the angel they became afraid, but their fear mixed with joy when they learned of Jesus’ resurrection.             As instructed by the angel, they were on their way to tell the disciples when Jesus met them.  He also instructed them to go tell the disciples that He was alive and that they should meet Him in Galilee.  In John’s gospel, it appears that Mary Magdalene made two trips to the tomb, and he records some of the conversation which Jesus had with her.  That same evening, Jesus appeared to the eleven and showed them His wounds.  At first they were startled, thinking they had seen a spirit, but then they rejoiced when they understood it was the Lord.             It was an exciting time.  To say that the eleven disciples and the others then understood the whole meaning of Jesus’ return from the dead would be incorrect.  This didn’t happen until fifty days later when the Holy Spirit came upon the twelve and began revealing the truths of all these things to them.  But they were all amazed and overjoyed that Jesus was back with them.  Jesus was alive again!             When we read in the gospels of Jesus’ resurrection, are we filled with the same joy which thrilled those disciples?  I’m not sure that would be possible since we did not personally experience Him and all these events.  But we believers should have a deep and abiding joy in knowing that our Savior, this Jesus to whom we have pledged our lives, has indeed come back from the dead.  His resurrection shattered the silence of the grave, broke the bonds of Hades and opened the door to a glorious future for humanity with God Himself!  That’s incredible news which should continue to thrill our hearts.             Yes, I know that we’ve all heard this before.  But we should not let this become just some old, stale church teaching.  Death has been beaten!  Jesus is alive, and He’s coming back.  That’s good news. That’s great news!  That’s exciting news!!                                                             ><>  Jeff

John 3:20-21             Jesus taught the importance and absolute necessity in knowing truth: “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” ( John 8:31-32 ).  As a result, we search the word of Christ, the Bible, to know what that truth is.  We search to know the word of God, the doctrine of Christ, and the truth of the Spirit.  We have developed that desire to know the truth, and well we should.             However, in our diligent search to know the truth, we must realize that truth has a purpose.  Truth isn’t simply knowledge to be accumulated, but action in which to be engaged.  Truth is for doing.  Jesus said as much in His discourse in which He declared God’s love for a lost world ( John 3:16 ).  He went on to say that Light had come into the world and that those who practiced evil would shun that Light while those who practiced truth would come to it.  (The NKJV has “But he who does the truth...)  Sermons and Bible studies are necessary and Christ-honoring, but when we don’t put into practice what we learn, we just show our insincerity and the idols in our hearts.             If we learn the truth to love our neighbor, but never lift a finger nor give a dollar to help anybody, have we done the truth?             If we learn the truth to forgive each one who has wronged us, but still harbor grudges and bitterness, have we done the truth?             If we learn the truth that the Lord calls us to assemble around His table on the Lord’s Day with other believers, and we regularly choose to do other things during that time, have we done the truth?             If we learn the truth that slander and gossip are evils but we continue to engage in such talk, have we done the truth?             If we learn that we need to pray regularly and do our own study of Scripture, but do neither of those things, have we done the truth?             If we learn that Christ wants us to spread the gospel to the lost and to bring back erring sheep, and we never make any attempt to do those things, have we done the truth?             Truth is for learning and also for doing.                And that’s the truth!                                                             ><>  Jeff

Matthew 16:13-16             Somewhere near Caesarea Philippi, Peter made what we call the great confession about Jesus: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  Jesus affirmed that he spoke the truth.  It was a watershed moment for Jesus and the disciples - even for the entire world.  The Messiah had come, and God had been recognized to be among men.  What a glorious moment!             Throughout scripture, Jesus is given numerous names and titles: Everlasting Father, Mighty God, Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, Immanuel, the Alpha and the Omega, the Son of Man, Savior, Redeemer, the Lamb of God - the list continues, long and impressive.  As we acknowledge like Peter that all of these names (and more) are rightly given to Jesus, I want us to consider something more personal for each one of us about Him.  Who is Jesus to you?   Does anything come to your mind?  Let me illustrate...   >                    Jesus is my hope. >                    Jesus is my joy. >                    Jesus is my encourager in difficult times. >                    Jesus is the One whom I love more than any other. >                    Jesus is my peace within. >                    Jesus is my protection without. >                    Jesus is my daily bread. >                    Jesus is my example in all things good. >                    Jesus is my strength when I want to quit. >                    Jesus is my armor when the devil attacks. >                    Jesus is my comfort when I hurt. >                    Jesus is my wisdom when I can’t figure it out. >                    Jesus is my shepherd when I need a guide. >                    Jesus is my light when I’m groping in the dark. >                    Jesus is my companion throughout the day. >                    Jesus is my Lord when I don’t want to. >                    Jesus is the One who hears my prayer in the night. >                    Jesus is the love in my heart.                                                             ><>  Jeff

Matthew 27:37-44             One aspect of execution by crucifixion was its shame and humiliation.  The one to be crucified was led through the streets by the execution squad - a type of parade.  The charges against the man were displayed and onlookers would yell taunts and curses at the condemned.  The crucifixion was public.  Crowds came to watch the condemned suffer and die.  In the case of Jesus, many of His detractors taunted Him and yelled abuses while He hung on the cross.  The soldiers, the rulers of the Jews, the chief priests and scribes, even some of the people reviled Jesus in this way.             If you are the Son of God ... If you are the Christ ... If He is the King of Israel ...  “let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him.”               Just who was that on the cross?   *                     He was the Babe laid in a manger. *                     He was the son of Mary. *                     He was the answer to Gabriel’s prophecy. *                     He was Immanuel. *                     He was the carpenter from Galilee. *                     He was the Man who spoke like no other man. *                     He was the Man who healed every person brought to Him. *                     He was the Creator of all things. *                     He was the Word of God. *                     He was the promised Seed who would crush the serpent’s head *                     He was God’s suffering Servant. *                     He was the King of the Jews. *                     He was the Light to the Gentiles. *                     He was the Lamb of God. *                     He was the Savior of the world. *                     He was the longed-for Messiah, the Christ of God. *                     He was the Son of Man. *                     He was the Son of God. *                                                         HE WAS GOD!          And He still is!                                                                 ><>  Jeff

Ephesians 1:1-14             Many parents have the tendency to “spoil” their children.  This can be done in several ways from withholding discipline to giving them everything they ask for.  Parents need to strike a good balance with their kids in these things so they become neither pampered and dependent nor bitter and resentful.  It’s not an easy task.             God, of course, is the perfect Father.  So we should take note of how He deals with His children.  Take giving for example.  Just consider how much God has blessed you.  Your life itself is a gift from God.  From there we can consider family, health, abilities, job, wealth, home, et al.  These are all truly marvelous gifts from our Father.             Now consider some of the spiritual blessings.  Paul writes of these in our text and is making no attempt to enumerate them all.  Would it even be possible for him to do so?  These blessings are “in the heavenly places in Christ.”  This means that though we enjoy them here and now they are of a spiritual nature and preserved by God safe from this world’s grasping hands.  They are “in Christ,” secured by Christ and only available through Christ by being part of His body.             “He chose us in Him” - deliberate act on God’s part             “before the foundation of the world” - speaks of God’s purpose for humanity and plan to accomplish it             “we would be holy and blameless before Him” - Seriously?!  True grace             “adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself” - part of His family with privileges             “redemption through His blood” - a terrible price paid and by Whom?             “forgiveness of our trespasses” - Totally gone!  More grace.             “an inheritance” - Are you kidding?  Is this for real?             Paul writes that Christians have been given these things “according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.”  Is God spoiling us?  Or is He telling us both how much He loves us and how truly dependent we are on Him?  Hmmm?             Too much grace?  Evidently God doesn’t think so.                                                             ><>  Jeff

Hebrews 9:27-28             In today’s day and age, God has truly blessed humanity with great advances in medical science.  He has given us the knowledge, skills and elemental materials through which we can cure many illnesses, correct defects in the body, replace parts which are wearing out or gone missing, enable people to live with chronic conditions - the list is remarkable.  Much misery and pain are being eased or eliminated, and lives extended.  The medical community is truly a great blessing.             Yet, despite all of these advances and wonders of medicine, one stark fact remains - the mortality rate for the human populace remains at 100%!  Medical research has not found a cure for death, nor will it ever do so.  There is no cure to be discovered!   The cause of death is not physiological, but spiritual.  Paul wrote: “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned” ( Romans 5:12 ).             Only the Great Physician  has the “cure” for death.  He will not keep us from death but offers a way to overcome it.  All men are appointed “to die once,” but Jesus has dealt with the real cause of death.  He carried the sins of all humanity in His own body on the cross in making a one-time sacrifice to God for all people.  That sacrifice needs never be repeated (in any form), nor can it be since Jesus now sits at the right hand of the Father in His new spiritual body.  His sacrifice is effective for all time ( Hebrews 10:10, 14 ).             Since He Himself was without sin, Jesus was resurrected from the grave by His Father having overcome death and Hades.  He was the first fruits from the dead, paving the way for all those who would have faith in Him and become His disciples.  Jesus stands ready to return at the appointed time to judge the world in righteousness.             But the appointment with death still remains for each one of us.  If you have already died with Christ Jesus in the water grave of baptism (Romans 6:3-7) and are serving the Lord, you need not fear death’s appointment.  However, if you have not done that, what hope do you have for the other side of death?

John 20:30-31             John wrote his gospel  with an intended purpose, and he tells us what it is.  It is actually two fold.  First, he has written of Jesus’ signs so that those reading about them will “believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.”  We are all familiar with signs.  Signs give information, identify and point to things or places.  So it is with the “signs” performed by Jesus.  They are often called “attesting miracles.”  The fact that Jesus did these things which set aside the laws of nature and countermanded the normal course of life indicated or pointed to the fact that He had the power or authority over such things.             Now let’s ask some questions.  Who has power to instantly turn large jars of water into fine wine?  Who can take five loaves and two fish and feed 5000 hungry people until they are full?  Who can give sight to a man who was blind from birth?  Who can raise a man to life who has been in the tomb for four days?  The only reasonable answer is the God  who brought all these things into existence and retains such power over His creation.             Through these signs (and more), then, John wants his readers to see that this Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, the Son of God.  Christ is reference to the long awaited Messiah of Jewish promise and prophecy - the Anointed One.  Additionally, this Jesus who is called Christ is none other than the Son of God - God in the flesh.  Thus His power to perform these marvelous signs.             The second part of John’s purpose is something which has been God’s desire from the very beginning ( John 12:50 ).  John wants his readers to have “life.”  The life to which he refers is life eternal, life beyond the grave, life with Jesus in glory.  It is a gracious gift from God which tells us of His love for all humanity.  This life is only available through faith in Jesus and by obeying His word.             John is convinced that what he has written in his gospel is enough to bring a person to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.  He doesn’t think anything else is necessary.  Have you read his gospel?  All of it?  What do you think?  John wants you to have life.  So does the Father.  So does Jesus.  What will you do?                                                             ><>  Jeff

Matthew 5:43-48             The Lord God is truly amazing.  His love is beyond our comprehension, and His willingness to bless and forgive often leaves us with our mouths hanging wide open in astonishment.  Even as Jesus was being nailed to His cross He was saying: “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”  (Luke 23:34).  We all appreciate that our God is like this, but then we begin to squirm some when the word comes to us: “Therefore, you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”  Perfect, of course, means complete, mature, whole.  As disciples of Christ, we are to walk as He walked.             Tall order?  Yes.  Impossible?  No.  If Jesus says to do it, then we can do it with His help.  Here’s some appropriate examples:   >                    Some people won’t appreciate what you do for them.  Do it anyway. >                    Some people will misunderstand your motives for helping them.  Help them anyway. >                    Some people will keep hurting you no matter how kindly you treat them.  Keep forgiving them anyway. >                    Some people will try to take advantage of your generosity.  Be generous anyway. >                    Some people will ridicule your belief in God’s Word and your teaching it.  Keep believing and teaching anyway. >                    Some people will try to find fault with anything you do.  Do it anyway. >                    Some people will disappoint you again and again.  Keep praying for them anyway. >                    Some people will exhaust your patience with them.  Be patient anyway. >                    Some people will betray you.  Keep loving them anyway. >                    Some people will knock you flat and kick you while you’re down.  Keep getting up and doing good anyway.               “...be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”                                                             ><>  Jeff

Ecclesiastes 12:11             Here’s another sampling of the sayings and quotes I’ve collected over the years.  Ponder, learn, smile and be blessed!   >                    Sin is like a credit card: Enjoy now; pay later.   >                    Not everything that’s true is science.   >                    “If God can’t handle tomorrow then He can’t handle today.”                                                 – Jim McGuiggan   >                    If you don’t know what to do, you can’t be a disciple.             If you don’t do what you know, you’re not a disciple.   >                    Wisdom is knowing when to speak your mind and when to mind your speech.   >                    Don’t be afraid that your life will end; be afraid that it will never really begin.   >                    We’re concerned with how things turn out; God seems more concerned with how we  turn out.  – Philip Yancey   >                    No pain, no gain.  Or in other words: no adversity, no maturity.   >                    Two wrongs don’t make a right; they just make a mess.                                                 – Annie Lane   >                    Heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.   >                    You may not be able to be what you want to be, but you can be all that God wants you to be.     – Woody Biggs                                                               ><>  Jeff

Matthew 26:33-35 , 69-75             We have all experienced failure - some minor mess ups and some major disasters.  Here are some thoughts in dealing with failure.   Failure doesn't mean - "You are a failure," It means - You have not succeeded.   Failure doesn't mean - "You accomplished nothing," It means - You have learned something.   Failure doesn't mean - "You have been a fool," It means - You had a lot of faith.   Failure doesn't mean - "You don't have it," It means - You were willing to try.   Failure doesn't mean - "You are inferior," It means - You are not perfect.   Failure doesn't mean - "You've wasted your life," It means - You have a reason to start afresh.   Failure doesn't mean - "You should give up," It means - You must try again.   Failure doesn't mean - "You'll never make it," It means - It will take a little longer.   Failure doesn't mean - "God has abandoned you," It means - God has a better way for you.                                     – via Mikey’s Funnies               Peter failed the Lord miserably but recovered to be one of the leading apostles.  Don’t let failure stop you; use it to invigorate you!                                                             ><>  Jeff

Acts 26:24-29             One of the main differences between Christianity and other religious faiths is that it is objectively verifiable while others are not.  Let me explain.  The visit of Jesus the Son of God to the earth was done in real time in a real place in a real body.  Jesus, the carpenter’s son, grew up in Nazareth.  He was seen in Capernaum, Cana, Nain, Samaria, Jericho, Bethany, Jerusalem and countless other places.  People of all walks of life heard Him teach, conversed with Him and witnessed His miracles.  Those who were healed of some infirmity became walking witnesses  to Jesus’ healing power.  Much of what He did, said and taught was recorded by and through eye witnesses.             When this Jesus of Nazareth was tried and put to death by order of Pilate, a great crowd was present.  His death was verified by His enemies.  His burial place was not obscure.  He was seen alive after His resurrection by hundreds ( 1 Corinthians 15:1-8 ).  As Paul said to King Agrippa, “For the king knows about these matters, and I speak to him also with confidence, since I am persuaded that none of these things escape his notice; for this has not been done in a corner.”  God had nothing to hide - in fact, He wanted all the world to see and hear His Son so they would have opportunity to believe in Him and be saved to life eternal.             Contrast all of this with other religions (some of which even call themselves “Christian”) who lean heavily if not exclusively on things which no one else can verify.  They have seen visions and dreams, and have mystical encounters with God or spirits.  They enter caves and emerge with an entire holy book from God.  An angel pays them a visit and gives them special plates with new revelations from the Almighty.  None of these happenings are verifiable.  You must simply take someone else’s word for what they say happened.  When there is such a lack of proof or evidence, it makes for an extremely shaky and dangerous foundation on which to build one’s entire life - and one’s life to come.  Extremely shaky indeed!             On the other hand, Jesus’ whole life is an open book.  It can be checked out by people even today.  Have you?  So, what do you think?                                                             ><>  Jeff

Ephesians 4:32             Kindness seems to be something which is lost on today’s world.  Even in the church, the need to be kind is often not preached nor practiced.  Kindness is a part of the fruit of the Spirit ( Galatians 5:22 ).  It is the second thing mentioned by Paul when he tries to describe love ( 1 Corinthians 13:4 ).  Obviously, kindness, for God, is a very important part of a Christian’s way of life.             Could you define kindness?  It’s not easy.  It’s one of those things which is probably better observed than defined.  So let’s look at it in a kind of reverse way, from the standpoint of the individual.   Nobody likes...             ...to be taken for granted.             ...to be left out or overlooked.             ...to be treated like they don’t matter.             ...to be lied to.             ...to be lied about.             ...to be ignored.             ...to be talked about behind their back.             ...to be forgotten.             ...to be pushed aside.             ...to be considered unimportant.             ...to be taken advantage of.             ...to be second guessed.             ...to be publically embarrassed or laughed at.             ...to be treated unfairly.               “Be kind to one another...”  Being kind is part of how we love other people.  It does take some effort.  It requires some positive action, some from the heart consideration.             In speaking of God, Paul reminds us ( Romans 2:4 ) of the “riches of His kindness” and “that the kindness of God leads you to repentance.”  As God has shown great kindness to us, let us be kind to one another.                                                             ><>  Jeff