So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. —Hebrews 9:28
The defense attorney of a man who was being tried for murder thought he had an ingenious ploy for his closing arguments. He told the jurors, “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, you must find my client not guilty of murder. And if there is the slightest doubt in your minds that he is not the murderer, I have one final witness.” The attorney paused and said, “The true murderer is about to walk through that door.”
Every eye in the room looked toward the door. But no one walked in. The lawyer said to the jury, “You see, ladies and gentlemen, there is doubt in your minds. Otherwise, you would not have looked toward the door. I ask you to find my client innocent.”
The jury retired to deliberate, and five hours later, they returned with a guilty verdict. The attorney was beside himself. He said, “I proved that if the jury had a doubt about my client’s guilt, they could not find him guilty.”
But the jury foreman, a wiser, older man, commented, “As everyone looked toward the door, I watched the defendant. He did not turn his eyes toward the door. He did not look toward the door, because he knew no one was coming through. He himself was the guilty one.”
One day, the Lord Jesus Christ will return. And the Bible says, “To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation” (Hebrews 9:28). Are you ready for that day? Are you ready for His return? He is coming for those who are watching and waiting.
Have you ever put your faith in Jesus Christ? Maybe you have religion. Maybe you have ritual. Maybe you have morality. But these will not get you to heaven. Only Jesus will.
Summary Sentence: Are you watching and waiting for His return? Are you ready for His return?
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Greatest in the Kingdom
“Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” —Matthew 18:4
Celebrity Apprentice is a fascinating television show. Contestants are divided into teams, usually men and women, who compete against each other. They are given tasks to fulfill, and it is determined at the end who won each task. There is essentially one thing on the contestants’ minds when they sit in that boardroom with Donald Trump: How can I win this competition? Contestants may form an alliance here and there, but the reality is there is only one winner.
This is what most people want in life. They want to know how to win. They want to know how to be number one, how to be the most successful.
That was the topic of discussion among the disciples one day. They asked Jesus, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (Matthew 18:1). But Jesus basically bypassed the question and did something completely unexpected. He called a little child over and then set the child among them. Imagine the scene: there was a little child, probably very cute, looking around at the disciples, wide-eyed. Then Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3–4).
The idea Jesus was communicating was not that we should be childish, but that we should always maintain a childlike faith. There is a big difference between the two. Ephesians 4:14 tells us, “We should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine. . . . ”
The fact of the matter is that we need to grow up spiritually. Yet at the same time, we want to have the humility of a child.
Summary Sentence: What did Jesus mean when He told His followers they must become as little children? Are you growing up and being child-like?
Celebrity Apprentice is a fascinating television show. Contestants are divided into teams, usually men and women, who compete against each other. They are given tasks to fulfill, and it is determined at the end who won each task. There is essentially one thing on the contestants’ minds when they sit in that boardroom with Donald Trump: How can I win this competition? Contestants may form an alliance here and there, but the reality is there is only one winner.
This is what most people want in life. They want to know how to win. They want to know how to be number one, how to be the most successful.
That was the topic of discussion among the disciples one day. They asked Jesus, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (Matthew 18:1). But Jesus basically bypassed the question and did something completely unexpected. He called a little child over and then set the child among them. Imagine the scene: there was a little child, probably very cute, looking around at the disciples, wide-eyed. Then Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3–4).
The idea Jesus was communicating was not that we should be childish, but that we should always maintain a childlike faith. There is a big difference between the two. Ephesians 4:14 tells us, “We should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine. . . . ”
The fact of the matter is that we need to grow up spiritually. Yet at the same time, we want to have the humility of a child.
Summary Sentence: What did Jesus mean when He told His followers they must become as little children? Are you growing up and being child-like?
Taking “Liberties”
So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall. —Romans 14:13
How do we cause other people to stumble? The answer is very simple. We cause other people to stumble by not caring about them.
Jesus said, “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand or one foot than to be thrown into eternal fire with both of your hands and feet” (Matthew 18:8). He basically was saying that we should get rid of anything in our lives that would be a bad example. If there is something in our lives that would cause us to stumble, then we need to deal with it, because it could cause someone else to stumble as well.
I think of couples who decide to get divorced and say things like, “Oh, don’t worry about the kids. They are resilient.” That divorce will hurt them—trust me. I know from the personal experience of being a child of divorce and seeing my mother married and divorced seven times. I know what that is like, and I know what it is like for a child. Parents are to be an example to their children. Be something they can emulate.
Younger believers are watching what we do as well. Sometimes we will take our so-called liberties and flaunt them, and then we cause younger believers to stumble in their faith. But the apostle Paul tells us in Romans 14:21, “It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble.”
You might think, Well, that is their problem. No, not really. It is your problem. It is our problem. We don’t live and die to ourselves. What we do affects other people. So be a good example.
Summary Sentence: Do you live in such a way that spiritually encourages other believers or do you live in such a way that could be a stumbling block to them?
How do we cause other people to stumble? The answer is very simple. We cause other people to stumble by not caring about them.
Jesus said, “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand or one foot than to be thrown into eternal fire with both of your hands and feet” (Matthew 18:8). He basically was saying that we should get rid of anything in our lives that would be a bad example. If there is something in our lives that would cause us to stumble, then we need to deal with it, because it could cause someone else to stumble as well.
I think of couples who decide to get divorced and say things like, “Oh, don’t worry about the kids. They are resilient.” That divorce will hurt them—trust me. I know from the personal experience of being a child of divorce and seeing my mother married and divorced seven times. I know what that is like, and I know what it is like for a child. Parents are to be an example to their children. Be something they can emulate.
Younger believers are watching what we do as well. Sometimes we will take our so-called liberties and flaunt them, and then we cause younger believers to stumble in their faith. But the apostle Paul tells us in Romans 14:21, “It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble.”
You might think, Well, that is their problem. No, not really. It is your problem. It is our problem. We don’t live and die to ourselves. What we do affects other people. So be a good example.
Summary Sentence: Do you live in such a way that spiritually encourages other believers or do you live in such a way that could be a stumbling block to them?
Just Like Sheep
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. —John 10:27
I read an article awhile ago about 450 sheep that fell to their deaths in Turkey. According to the article, one sheep jumped off a cliff, and then 1,500 others followed.
Not only will sheep follow other sheep, but they also will follow goats. In fact, that is how sheep come to be slaughtered. A “Judas goat” is used to lead the sheep up a ramp to be slaughtered. They will get in line and actually follow the Judas goat to their deaths.
We may think sheep are stupid animals, but we sometimes do things that are outright stupid as well. Don’t we try at times to run from God? Don’t we disobey the Word of God? Don’t we resist His will in our lives? Of course we do. The Bible tells us, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way . . . ” (Isaiah 53:6). That is just the way we are. We are just like sheep.
So instead of following other sheep—and certainly not a Judas goat—we should follow the Good Shepherd. Jesus said, My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:27). The word Jesus used for “follow” in this verse speaks of someone who deliberately decides to comply with instructions.
It means that we come to realize God’s plan for us is better than our plan for ourselves. And when He leads us to a different place, it is for our ultimate good. Maybe it is not for our temporary good. Maybe it doesn’t make complete sense. But He has a plan. And we are to follow Him and comply.
I read an article awhile ago about 450 sheep that fell to their deaths in Turkey. According to the article, one sheep jumped off a cliff, and then 1,500 others followed.
Not only will sheep follow other sheep, but they also will follow goats. In fact, that is how sheep come to be slaughtered. A “Judas goat” is used to lead the sheep up a ramp to be slaughtered. They will get in line and actually follow the Judas goat to their deaths.
We may think sheep are stupid animals, but we sometimes do things that are outright stupid as well. Don’t we try at times to run from God? Don’t we disobey the Word of God? Don’t we resist His will in our lives? Of course we do. The Bible tells us, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way . . . ” (Isaiah 53:6). That is just the way we are. We are just like sheep.
So instead of following other sheep—and certainly not a Judas goat—we should follow the Good Shepherd. Jesus said, My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:27). The word Jesus used for “follow” in this verse speaks of someone who deliberately decides to comply with instructions.
It means that we come to realize God’s plan for us is better than our plan for ourselves. And when He leads us to a different place, it is for our ultimate good. Maybe it is not for our temporary good. Maybe it doesn’t make complete sense. But He has a plan. And we are to follow Him and comply.
The Serious Business of Heaven
I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. — Luke 15:7
Sometimes people wonder whether those in heaven know what is taking place on earth. Some would say no. But I beg to differ. I think heaven is aware of what happens on earth.
However, I don’t think our loved ones are sitting in heaven, watching everything we do. But I do think there is an awareness of what is going on, and there are a lot of verses that I could cite to prove that point. But this much I know clearly: When someone comes to faith in Christ and they repent of their sins, there is rejoicing in heaven. Whenever there is a conversion on earth, there is a party in heaven.
God gets excited when lost people come to repentance, and so should we. As C. S. Lewis said, joy is the serious business of heaven. So if they are having a party in heaven over the conversion of one person, should we, too, not be excited when we see someone come to Christ?
Jesus cares, and so should we. Luke 15 tells us that when the shepherd finds the sheep he has lost, “he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ ” (verse 5–6).
I believe that is what kept Jesus going, even to the cross. Hebrews 12:2 tells us that Jesus, “for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” What was that joy? It was us. We were the joy. We were the prize. We were the treasure. We were the goal He went after and laid it all down for.
Sometimes people wonder whether those in heaven know what is taking place on earth. Some would say no. But I beg to differ. I think heaven is aware of what happens on earth.
However, I don’t think our loved ones are sitting in heaven, watching everything we do. But I do think there is an awareness of what is going on, and there are a lot of verses that I could cite to prove that point. But this much I know clearly: When someone comes to faith in Christ and they repent of their sins, there is rejoicing in heaven. Whenever there is a conversion on earth, there is a party in heaven.
God gets excited when lost people come to repentance, and so should we. As C. S. Lewis said, joy is the serious business of heaven. So if they are having a party in heaven over the conversion of one person, should we, too, not be excited when we see someone come to Christ?
Jesus cares, and so should we. Luke 15 tells us that when the shepherd finds the sheep he has lost, “he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ ” (verse 5–6).
I believe that is what kept Jesus going, even to the cross. Hebrews 12:2 tells us that Jesus, “for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” What was that joy? It was us. We were the joy. We were the prize. We were the treasure. We were the goal He went after and laid it all down for.
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