WE SHOULD WATCH WHAT WE SAY

Proclamation:

"But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every empty word they have spoken.  For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”  Matthew 12:36-37 (NIV)

Explanation:

As witnessed and recorded by the Apostle Matthew, these are the words spoken by Jesus, The Christ, as He defended Himself to the Pharisees after He had healed a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute. (Matthew 12:22)  Jesus knew their thoughts and presented several examples to them to explain the error in their thinking. (Matthew 12:25)  Then He went on to say that a man will be judged by what he does and what he says.

Application:

We often talk too much. We say a lot of words without really saying anything significant. Some of us seem to just talk to hear ourselves talk. Some people talk so much that it is hard for others to get a word into the conversation. However, idle conversation is also bad.  While this might seem like an insignificant "little thing", there is no such thing as a little sin; every sin is a sin against God. (Psalm 51:4)  Whatever we do, say or think that does not give God glory is unrighteous and the Bible says, "All unrighteousness is sin." (1 John 5:17)  We should therefore be very careful with respect to our actions and our speech because we will be held accountable for both.

ASK AND YOU WILL RECEIVE

Proclamation

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives; the one who seek finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV)

Explanation:

These are the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus, The Christ, which He spoke to His disciples and to the surrounding crowd during His Sermon on the Mount as recorded by the apostle Matthew.  Jesus told them that whatever they asked Him for would be given to them.  This is clarified in another Bible verse, “And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that The Father may be glorified in The Son.  You may ask Me for anything in My name, and I will do it.  If you love Me, keep My commands.” (John 14:13-15)

Application:

Jesus said that we can have what we ask Him for.  He also said that we will find what we seek and opportunities will be opened up to us.  We do not have what we want because we have not asked The Lord God for it. (James 4:2)  If we pray for it and if we believe that He will give it to us, then we will receive it. (Matthew 21:22)  There are, however, some underlying conditions to this.  First, this only applies to believers.  If He is not your Father, do not expect that He will give you what you ask for.  If you do not believe in Him, don't waste your time asking Him for things.  Secondly, this only applies to things that will help us to give God Glory, not things to glorify or pacify or pleasure ourselves.  If we ask for something that is inappropriate it will not be granted. (James 4:3)  Thirdly, in order to get the "... any thing ..." we want from Him we must keep His commandments.  By keeping His commandments we show Him that we love Him. (John 14:21)  If we love Him and truly want to please and glorify Him then we will get what we ask Him for.

STORE UP TREASURES IN HEAVEN

Proclamation:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)

Explanation:

The Apostle Matthew recorded these words, which were part of The Sermon on The Mount which Jesus spoke to His disciples, and to the surrounding crowd.  Jesus said that man should not store up treasures here on earth, but rather he should store up treasures in heaven.  Then He told them that their heart and focus will be where ever their treasure is located.

Application:

Our treasures are the things that we value, cherish, esteem, desire, love, and delight in having.  Earthly treasures are only ours temporarily.  It does not matter how we protect them or how much we amass and store up, they will not last and they are not secure.  If our purpose for storing up treasures on earth is to prepare for our future benefit and enjoyment, then we ought to be smart enough to prepare for our eternal future.  The point of these verses is that we should not put our faith in money and things that are here on earth.  We are to use our time, talents, and treasure in kingdom building efforts, which have eternal implications.  Believers do not earn their salvation, but by their behavior they can earn heavenly rewards. (Matthew 5:11-12, 10:41 and 16:27; 1 Corinthians 3:13-14, and Revelation 22:12)  Where our treasure is, that is where our focus is also.  We should focus on that which is Christ-like and heavenly. (Philippians 4:8)  If we focus only on earthly things, at the end of our lives all will be lost.  We need to focus on our eternal life and store up treasures for ourselves in heaven.

THE POST RESURRECTION BREAKFAST MESSAGE

Proclamation:

“Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them.… When Peter saw him, he asked, ‘Lord, what about him?’  Jesus answered, ‘If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is it to you?  You must follow me.’” John 21:20-22 (NIV)

Explanation:

After the resurrection of Jesus, The Christ, Peter and four of the other disciples went fishing but did not catch anything. (John 21:3-5)  Jesus appeared on the shore and told them to cast their nets on the other side. (John 21:6)  They did as He said and they caught so many fish that the boat almost sank.  Jesus told them to bring some of the fish which they had just caught and He prepared a meal for them. (John 21:12)  After they had eaten, Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved Him and then three times He told him to “Feed My sheep.” (John 21:15-17)  Then He told Peter to follow Him and Peter noticed that John was following them.  When Peter asked Jesus about John, He replied, “What is it to you?”  Then Jesus told him you just follow me.

Application:

The disciples who saw Jesus after the resurrection then went back to doing what they were doing before they met Him.  Jesus again appeared and gave these experienced fishermen instructions on how to catch fish.  When they followed His directions they caught more fish than they ever had before.  Jesus fed them with some of the fish which they had just caught then He told them to feed His sheep.  Jesus also made it clear that they were to follow Him and do as He had told them.  They were not to worry about what the others were doing.  The first point here is, after we accept Jesus as our Savior we are not to return to doing the same exact things that we used to do.  Second point, even experienced, knowledgeable, successful people can do better by following the instructions of Jesus.  Third point, ghosts, visions, and aberrations do not eat.  This is proof that Jesus did physically appear to them after the resurrection.  Fourth point, Jesus has work assignments for each of us to do with respect to kingdom building.  Fifth and final point, we are not to worry about what others are doing because that is not our business.  We are to mind our own business and to make sure that we follow Jesus.

HE IS RISEN

Proclamation:

“On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb.  They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of The Lord Jesus.  While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.  In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He is not here; He has risen!  Remember how He told you, while He was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'"  Then they remembered His words." Luke 24:1-8 (NIV)

Explanation:

After His death by crucifixion, the body of Jesus was taken down from the cross, wrapped in a clean linen cloth and placed in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathema.  The entrance to the sepulcher was closed with a large stone and a Roman guard was posted there as ordered by Pilate, to prevent the disciples from stealing the body of Christ. (Matthew 27:57-66)  When the women came with spices to anoint the body of Jesus, He was not there, for He had risen.  His earthly body had been resurrected.

Application:

"Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He is risen!" (Luke 24:5-6)  The only thing for us to do today is to accept or reject the account of the resurrection as presented in The Bible, The Holy Word of God.  The crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, The Christ, is recorded in all four of the gospels. (Matthew 27:26 to 28:8; Mark 15:15 to 15:8; Luke 23:23 to 24:9 and John 19:16 to 20:10)  It was predicted more than four hundred years earlier by the prophet Isaiah. (Isaiah 53:5-6)  After His resurrection He appeared for man to see Him on more than forty different times before He ascended to heaven. (Matthew 28:9-10 and 28:11-20; Mark 16:9-20; Luke 24:13-50; and John 20:11-29 and 21:1-23)  His ascension to heaven was witnessed by the disciples. (Acts 1:9)  The Word of God says it and that settles it.  He is risen.

"FATHER INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT"

Proclamation:

“Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit.’  When He had said this, He breathed His last.” Luke 23:46 (NIV)  In The King James version of The Bible it reads “And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, He said, ‘Father, into Thy hands I commend My Spirit; and having said thus, He gave up The Ghost.”

Explanation:

Under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God Luke, the physician and traveling companion of the Apostle Paul, recorded these words which are considered to be the seventh and final of the last seven saying of Christ that He spoke while on the cross.  Normally death by crucifixion on the cross is a long, slow, painful process.  However, Jesus was only on the cross for a little over three hours before He died. (Luke 23:44)  Jesus was in control of the situation and ended His own life by quoting a verse from the Old Testament. (Psalm 31:5)  He had already told His disciples beforehand that no man could take His life, He had the power to lay down His life and to pick it back up again. (John 10:18)  Jesus ended His own earthly life after He had all that had to be done for the redemptive process of man. (Matthew 20:28)

Application:

When we die, the soul and the body separate, (James 2:26) the soul returns to God created it and gave it to us. (Genesis 2:7)  The body remains on earth to be buried, cremated, or disposed of in some manner prior to it returning to the dust of the earth. (Ecclesiastes 3:20 and 12:7)  When Jesus died His soul went to paradise and on that third day morning His earthly body was resurrected.  (Luke 23:43 and 24:6-7)  Now He sits at the right hand of The Father making intercessions for us. (Romans 8:34)  In order for us to be saved we must confess and believe that God raised Jesus, The Christ, from the dead. (Romans 10:9)  We can entrust our soul to the hands of God knowing that there is no place which is more secure.

JESUS SAID "IT IS FINISHED"

Proclamation:

"When He had received the drink, Jesus said, 'It is finished.'  With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit."  John 19:30 (NIV) 

Explanation:

The Apostle John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, records that one of the last words that Jesus said while He was on the cross before He died was "It is finished."  These three words are considered to be the sixth of the last seven saying of Christ on the cross.  This was a reference to having finished the work that God, The Father, had assigned for Him to do for the redemption of mankind.

Application:

Early in His life on earth Jesus said that He must be about His Father's business and He must work the work of Him that sent Him. (Luke 2:49 and John 9:4)  He knew from the very beginning that He came into this world to teach, suffer, and die, so that we could have the choice of salvation. (John 18:37)  Because of His love for us, Christ died for us. (John 15:13-14 and Romans 5:8)  He could have saved Himself or called for legions of angels to do whatever He wanted, but He knew that his death on the cross was the only way that we could be saved and that the scriptures could be fulfilled. (Matthew 26:53-54)  When Jesus said "It is finished" He knew that He had done all that needed to be done in the redemptive process for the salvation of man.  He could now give up His earthly life because His earthly body had served its purpose.  Thankfully, He completed His work and He did not come down off of that cross. (Philippians 2:8)  He paid the price for our salvation.  All we have to do to be saved is believe in Him. (John 3:16)

JESUS PAID IT ALL

Proclamation:

"But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.  We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and The LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all."  Isaiah 53:5-6 (NIV)

Explanation:

By the aid of The Holy Spirit of God the Prophet Isaiah wrote to the people of God, first, to warn them about their sinful behavior, and then secondly to tell them about the coming Messiah, Jesus, The Christ.  Here Isaiah stated that Jesus took upon Himself all of our iniquities, and by His physical injuries we were healed.  His punishment paid for our peace and made our salvation possible.

Application:

Jesus, who never sinned, paid the price for all of our sins. (Romans 6:23)  He was the sacrificial lamb who shed His blood for the remission of our sins. (Hebrews 9:22)  Jesus, The Son of God, endured the wrath of God, The Father, for our sins as our substitute. (John 1:29 and Revelation 14:10)  We had gone our own sinful way instead of following His way.  In fact, He is the way. (John 14:6)  Because He was hurt, we can be healed.  Because He was pierced, we can be protected.  Because He was crushed, we can be cured.  Because He was flogged, we can be forgiven.  Because He was punished, we can have peace.  Because He was wounded, we can be washed in His blood.  Because He took our sins, we can be saved.  Jesus paid it all and He did it for us.

"YOU SHALL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE"

Proclamation:

"One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at Him: 'Aren't You The Christ?  Save Yourself and us!'  But the other criminal rebuked him.  'Don't you fear God,' he said, 'since you are under the same sentence?  We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve.  But this man has done nothing wrong.'  Then he said, 'Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.'  Jesus answered him, 'I tell you the truth, today you will be with Me in paradise.' "  Luke 23:39-43 (NIV)

Explanation:

Under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God Luke, the physician and traveling companion of the Apostle Paul, recorded that there were two criminals who were crucified along with Jesus, The Christ. (Luke 23:32-33)  One of the criminals insulted Christ.  The second one rebuked the first one and spoke up for Christ and then he asked Jesus to remember him when He enters His kingdom.  Jesus told him that he would be with Him in paradise that day.  These words which Jesus spoke are considered to be the second of the last seven saying of Christ on the cross. 

Application:

On that fateful day there were three crosses on the hill called Golgotha.  The criminals on either side of Jesus responded completely differently to Him.  They have been described as representing the choices we have in responding to Christ.  When all was said and done symbolically, the cross in the center, upon which Jesus hung, represented salvation.  The cross on one side of Him represented rejection of Christ, and the cross on the other side of Him represented belief and acceptance.  The two crosses represent the choices which we all have with respect to what Jesus has to offer.  Either we will accept Him and receive salvation and eternal life, or we will reject Him and spend eternity in torment. (John 3:16 and 1 John 5:13)  We each have a decision to make, to either be with Christ or not, please choose wisely.

THE CRUCIFIXION OF CHRIST WAS PREDICTED

Proclamation:

“But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.  We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and The LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all."  Isaiah 53:5-6 (NIV)

Explanation:

This Holy Spirit of God inspired prophesy of the prophet Isaiah was regarding the crucifixion of Jesus.  It foretold of His suffering and punishment as a substitute for us.  He paid the price for our sins and iniquities so that we might be saved, because, like sheep, we had gone astray and were lost.

Application:

Just as he had predicted the birth of Christ, more than four hundred years beforehand, (Isaiah 7:14), the prophet Isaiah also predicted the crucifixion of Christ for our sins.  He predicted that Christ would b wounded so that we could be healed.  The suffering that Christ endured, the verbal and physical abuse, being spat upon and beaten, being wiped and scourged, the crown of thorns, being nailed to the cross, being pierced in His side, and dying upon the cross was all done for our sins, transgressions, and iniquities. (Matthew 27:27-35 and Mark 15:15-26)  We had turned away from God and each of us was doing what was right in our own eyes. (Proverbs 12:15)  We were lost, and He came to save the lost. (Matthew 18:11 and Luke 19:10)  Christ bore the sins of the world upon Himself and paid the price our sins so that we could have a chance at salvation. (John 1:29, John 12:27, John 18:37, and 1 John 2:2)  He suffered the chastisement of God for our sins in order to procure our salvation.  This is what Isaiah predicted would happen, and he predicted this long before Christ was born.  However, before we can receive the gift of salvation from the penalty of sin we must confess and believe in Jesus, The Christ. (Romans 10:9-10)

"FATHER FORGIVE THEM"

Proclamation:

“Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.’..."  Luke 23:33-34 (NIV)

Explanation:

According to the record of Luke, the physician and traveling companion of the Apostle Paul, these words were spoken by Jesus, The Christ, as He hung on the cross at Calvary.  These words are considered to be the first words of the last seven saying of Christ on the cross.  After being ridiculed, beaten, surged and nailed to the cross, Jesus prayed to His Heavenly Father for the forgiveness of the people who were responsible for His suffering and crucifixion.

Application:

There are those who believe that Jesus prayed that prayer for the forgiveness of those Roman solders who were involved in His physical crucifixion.  However, most of us know that Jesus was actually also praying for forgiveness for His family and friends who deserted Him, and for the Jews, Sadducees and Pharisees in the crowd watching His suffering.  Additionally, most Bible scholars believe that He was also praying for all of us, all of humanity, because it was for the remission of our sins that the shedding of His blood, His crucifixion, His death on the cross, His burial, and His resurrection was necessary. (Galatians 1:4 & 1 John 2:2)  The price He paid, He paid for all of us. (Romans 5:8 & 14:9)  We should remember that as we celebrate the period of Passover, the Passion Week, Good Friday, and Resurrection Sunday.  

CHRIST HAS COMPASSION FOR US

Proclamation:

“Who is He that condemns?  Christ Jesus, who died, more than that, who was raised to life, is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."  Romans 8:34 (NIV)

Explanation:

The Apostle Paul, the human author of thirteen of the twenty-seven Books of The New Testament, wrote this letter to the believers in Rome.  He said that Jesus, The Christ, who was crucified and died and rose from the dead, is the one who judges us and who makes intercession for us. 

Application:

Christ has compassion for us, He understands what it is that we go through being human.  He was not received by His own people. (John 1:11)  He endured rejection (Isaiah 53:3) and He endured temptation. (Matthew 4:1 and Mark 1:13)  At times He was hungry (Luke 4:2) and He was moved to the point of tears. (John 11:35)  He had compassion for suffering people. (Matthew 9:36, 14:14, 15:32 and 20:34)  He was also lied on. (Matthew 26:60)  During His three and one half year earthly ministry, Jesus suffered the same plights that we suffer. (Hebrews 2:18)  In fact, He had it worse than most of us, He was also homeless. (Matthew 8:20 and Luke 9:8)  He was spat upon (Matthew 27:30) and He was verbally and physically abused then scourged with barbed whips. (Mark 15:15)  Jesus was crucified, nailed to a cross and gave up His life for us. (Matthew 27:27-50)  He was buried, rose from the dead, appeared before men, and was witnessed as He ascended to heaven. (Matthew 28:1-10, Luke 24:36-43 and 50-51)  He knows what it is like to be human and to be wrongly accused.  He who was without sin but He became sin for our sake. (Galatians 1:4 and 1 John 2:2)  When the time comes He will judge each one of us (Revelation 20:12-13) and for those of us who are saved He will make intercession for us.  He will plead our case because He knows us, He loves us, He died for us, and He has compassion for us. 

WE ARE NOT OF THIS WORLD

Proclamation:

“But He continued, 'You are from below; I am from above.  You are of this world; I am not of this world.’”  John 8:23 (NIV)

Explanation:

The Apostle John, who referred to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved, recorded these words of Jesus as He explained to the Pharisees and the Jews in the crowd that He was going to leave, and go to a place where they could not find Him, and where they could not go.  Jesus was referring to His death and ascension to heaven.  He told them that they could not go with Him because they would die in their sins. (John 8:21)  Jesus told them that He was not like them.  He came from heaven, He was not of this world.

Application:

Jesus, The Christ, said that He was not of this world. (John 8:23)  He also said that His kingdom was not of this world. (John 18:36)  Because His spirit indwells us, (John 6:56, John 14:17, and Romans 8:11) as believers, we are not of this world either. (John 15:19)  We are in this world, but we are not of this world.  We do not belong to the world, we belong to Christ.  Therefore, we should not love the world, or worldly things, and consequently the world will not love us. (1 John 2:15)  We should not conform to the world. (Romans 12:2)  We should love The Lord with all of our heart, mind, and soul; and we should expect that the world will hate us for doing so. (Deuteronomy 13:3 and John 15:18)  Since He is not of this world and His Spirit is within us, we are not of this world.

THERE IS NO CONDEMNATION FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN CHRIST

Proclamation:

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of The Spirit of Life set me free from the law of sin and death."  Romans 8:1-2 (NIV)

Explanation:

In his letter to the believers in The Church at Rome, the Apostle Paul told them that all believers were set free from the penalty of sin.  He said they were no longer condemned because Jesus died as a sin offering and He condemned the sin in sinful man who believes. (Romans 8:3)  

Application:
Those of us who believe are free from the penalty of sin through Jesus, The Christ, but we are not free from sinning.  Since all unrighteousness is sin, anything that we do which does not give glory to God is a sin. (1 John 5:17)  However, if we live our lives according to The Spirit of God, we will think more often about the things that please God. (Romans 8:6)  The unsaved person has a sinful mind, is controlled by their sinful nature, and frequently thinks about sinful things.  Their sinful thoughts and actions are hostile towards God and they cannot please God. (Romans 8:7-8)  Believers are not controlled by a sinful nature, they are controlled by The Spirit of God and their desire is to do that which is pleasing to God. (Romans 8:9-10)  If we are not trying to please God, then who are we trying to please?  If The Spirit of God is within us, then we will live, as best we can, by The Word of God. (Romans 8:11)  When we sin and mess up, we will fess up, we will get up, and we will pray for His help continue to walk the Christian walk.  We will continue to walk the walk because we know that we are not condemned for our occasional slips and sinful mistakes.  We may be punished for doing wrong, because He chastises those He loves, (Proverbs 3:11-12) but we are not condemned.

GOD WILL NEVER LEAVE US OR FORSAKE US

Proclamation:

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’"  Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)

Explanation:

Under the influence and inspiration of The Holy Spirit of God the unknown author of the Book of Hebrews wrote to the scattered believers during their time of persecution.  He told them to be content and happy with that which they have been blessed with.  He also told them not to get caught up in the love of money and worldly possessions.  He said that along with whatever else that they have, they have The Lord God with them, and He will never leave them or forsake them.

Application:

We know that it is not money, but the love of money which is the root of all evil. (1 Timothy 6:10)  The love of money will cause many people to sin and turn away from God.  Therefore we are advised and encouraged to be content with that which we already have.  The Apostle Paul said "I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." (Philippians 4:11)  It is better to have a little and have The Lord with us, than to have plenty of riches and not have The Lord in our life.  God is omni-present, He is every where all at the same time, (Psalms 139:7-10) so He is always with us.  Regardless of how we may feel, or how bad our situation appears, we are never really alone.  The Lord God is always with us and He will never leave us.  This was His promise to the believers of old (Genesis 28:15 and Deuteronomy 31:6) and it is His promise to us today. (Hebrews 13:5)

OUR FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD

Proclamation:

”If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.  But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin."  1 John 1:6-7 (NIV)

Explanation:

The Apostle John, who referred to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved, recorded in this general epistle that we cannot have a fellowship with The Lord God if we do not obey His Word.  We must believe and walk in His way, in His light, and maintain fellowship with our Christian brothers, if we want Him to cleanse us and forgive us of our sins.

Application:

Many people claim to be Christian, but their actions do not support their claim.  Believers must walk with The Lord God, as Enoch (Genesis 5:22) and Noah (Genesis 6:9) did.  Once we believe that Jesus, The Christ, is The Son of God who was raised from the dead, and accept Christ as our personal savior, then we will be saved and our relationship with The Lord God is secure. (Romans 10:9)  We may be in or out of fellowship with Him, based upon our behavior, but our relationship does not change.  Just as we are still our parents children even when they punish us or put us out of their house.  The fellowship may be broken but the relationship is still the same.  We still sin, we confess our sins, we ask to be forgiven, (1 John 1:9), and then we persevere and continue to walk in His way. (Ephesians 6:18)   By walking His way and obeying His Word, we demonstrate and maintain our fellowship with God.

WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD

Proclamation:

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

Explanation:

Under the inspiration of The Holy Spirit of God the unknown author of The Bible Book of Hebrews wrote that it is not possible to please God without believing that He exists, without having faith in Him, without actively seeking Him, and without believing that those who honestly seek Him will find Him and will be rewarded.

Application:

We cannot walk with God without wholeheartedly believing in Him.  Having faith in God and believing in Him, is more than intellectually knowing that there is a God.  The devil and his demons know that there is a God and they know who He is.  They just choose not to follow Him and His ways. (James 2:19)  We demonstrate our faith in God by following His way and by being obedient to The Word of God. (John 14:15 and 14:23)  We cannot have faith in God without also having our actions demonstrate that faith. (James 20:26)  If we sincerely believe in Him and seek Him, we will find Him. (Jeremiah 29:13, Matthew 7:7, and Luke 11:9)  Those who truly have faith in God are blessed. (Galatians 3:9, Hebrews 11:20-21)

WE SHOULD ALWAYS DO OUR BEST

Proclamation:

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom."  Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NIV)

Explanation:

These Holy Spirit inspired words of wisdom were written by King Solomon.  He was urging the people of God to do their very best whenever they work and in everything that they do, while they have the opportunity because death is coming.  After they die, they will not be able to do anything, or plan anything, or think anything, or know anything. 

Application:
Jesus, The Christ, said "I must work the works of Him that sent Me while it is day, for the night cometh when no man can work." (John 9:4)  Jesus knew that He had to be serious about doing His Father's work while He was here on earth, because He knew that His days were numbered.  The same is true for each one of us, our time on earth is limited.  Jesus was all about doing His Father's work even as a child. (Luke 2:49)  We need to work as if all that we are doing is for Him. (Colossians 3:17 and 3:23)  We should do our very best when we work, at whatever we do, because we are, in fact, working for The Lord. (Romans 12:11)  This life is not a dress rehearsal, we need to get it right while we are alive, because there will not be a second chance to get it right after we die.  For after death, then comes the judgment.  That is when we all want to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:21 and 23)  

STUDY THE WORD OF GOD

Proclamation:

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)  In The New International Version (NIV) of The Bible this verse reads: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

Explanation:

These words were written by the Apostle Paul, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, in a letter to his young protégé, Timothy, to encourage him to study The Word of God.   A believer should not be ashamed of God's Word.  He said that study was necessary to correctly interpret The Word of God.

Application:

Reading The Word of God is good and it is good for us. (Revelation 1:3)  Studying The Word of God is even better because it improves our understanding and, when it is done prayerfully, it increases our knowledge and wisdom.   When we know more about The Lord God, and what He intended for us to do, we would be much more likely to live by His Word. (2 Peter 2:21)  We should not be ashamed to be seen reading and studying The Word of God.  As believers we ought to do both, read and study, much more often than we do.  Hopefully my Bible Based Life Lessons will increase the reader’s knowledge and understanding of God’s Holy Word and hopefully also stimulate and encourage more Bible reading and study.

TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN MUCH WILL BE REQUIRED

Proclamation:

“That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows.  But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows.  From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." Luke 12:47-48 (NIV)

Explanation:

With these Holy Spirit inspired words Luke, the physician and traveling companion of the apostle Paul, offered words of warning and encouragement to the people of God.  He told them that those who do wrong but do not know any better will still be punished for doing wrong. However, those who do wrong intentionally will be punished more severely than the uninformed wrong doer.  He also said that more will be required from those who are given a lot.

Application:

More will be expected from those who are given more, entrusted with more, who know more, and who are blessed more than others.  When we know better, we should do better. 

When we have more, we will be expected to give more.  The more that we are blessed, the more we should share our blessings with others.  Sin is sin, and wrong is wrong.  The punishment that we will receive for wrong doing will depend upon our knowledge of right and wrong.  When we know that what we are doing is wrong, and we continue to do it, our chastisement will be greater because of our willful commission of sin.  When we know the right thing to do or say and we choose not to, our punishment will be more severe than for someone who did not know.  When we are blessed and do not share our blessings with others but keep them to ourselves, God is not pleased.  We need to pray for God's help so that we can avoid the sins committed consciously, knowingly, and intentionally.  When we have been blessed with much and know better, we will be held to a much higher standard and more will be expected from us.  With knowledge comes greater responsibility.

THE STEPS OF A GOOD MAN

Proclamation:

“If The LORD delights in a man's way, He makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for The LORD upholds him with His hand."  Psalms 37:23-24 (NIV)  The King James version of this verse reads: "The steps of a good man are ordered by The LORD: and he delighteth in His way.  Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for The LORD upholdeth him with His hand." 

Explanation:

These are The Holy Spirit inspired words of King David explaining that the path and steps of the believer are determined by The Lord.  Although the believer may stumble and fall into sin, The Lord will not desert him, but He will help him to get back up and to continue on the right path.

Application:

As believers, our human attempts to follow The Word of God will fall short, and we will fall into sin. (Romans 3:23)  For none of us is truly righteous, we are all far from perfect. (Romans 3:10)  However, if we confess our sins, and ask to be forgiven, He will forgive us. (1 John 1:9)   If we want Him to lead us, to guide us, to direct us, and to order our steps, then we must ask Him to do it.  If we pray and ask The Lord to guide us and to show us the right way and the right path, He will do so. (Psalms 32:8)  Our prayer should be similar to the words of the song, "Order my steps in Your Word, dear Lord; lead me, guide me, everyday ... Please order my steps in Your Word ... I want to walk worthy, my calling to fulfill;  Please order my steps, Lord, and I'll do Your blessed will ... If You order my steps, I’ll praise Your name … Please order my steps in Your Word."  

BLESSED FOR BELIEVING WITHOUT SEEING

Proclamation:

“Then He said to Thomas, 'Put your finger here; see My hands.  Reach out your hand and put it into My side.  Stop doubting and believe.'  Thomas said to Him, 'My Lord and my God!'  Then Jesus told him, 'Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.' "  John 20:27-29 (NIV)

Explanation:

The Apostle John records that in a post resurrection meeting with His disciples Jesus confronted Thomas who initially did not believe that He had risen from the dead.  Jesus told Thomas to touch the holes in His hands and the wound in His side.  Thomas saw the evidence of the crucifixion and he believed.  Then Jesus said, blessed are those who believed without seeing the evidence. 

Application:

The first time that Jesus appeared to His disciples, after His resurrection, they were in a room with the doors locked, and Thomas was not with them. (John 20:19-20 and 20:24-25)  The next time that He appeared to them was one week later and they were also in a room with the doors locked. (John 20:26)  This time Thomas was there with them.  Both Luke and John record that Jesus told His disciples to physically examine His wounds from the crucifixion. (Luke 24:36-39 and John 20:24-29)  The disciples saw proof for themselves and they believed.  Jesus said that all of us who believed in His resurrection, without seeing the physical proof that He is who He says that He is, and the He rose from the dead, would be blessed.  Our belief and faith comes from hearing The Word of God. (Romans 10:17)  We believe without seeing the physical evidence of His death, burial, and resurrection, and for that we will be blessed.

WE MUST PRAY AND ASK TO BE FORGIVEN

Proclamation:

“Hear the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel when they pray toward this place.  Hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, and when You hear, forgive."  1 Kings 8:30 (NIV)

Explanation:

These written Holy Spirit inspired words were part of King Solomon’s prayer of dedication for the temple which had just been completed.  He asked The Lord God to hear His people when they prayed to Him, and to forgive them when they asked for forgiveness of their sins.

Application:

Christ died on the cross to pay the price for our sins.  However, to be forgiven for our sins we must repent, confess, and ask to be forgiven.  Christ came into this world to die for our sins. (John 1:29)  When Jesus preached, His message was that we should repent. (Matthew 4:17)  Our salvation is based upon our confession and our belief. (Romans 10:9)  The Lord God said that He would hear us and forgive us of our sins if we would humble ourselves, and pray, and seek Him, and turn from our sinful ways. (2 Chronicles 7:14)  If we want to be forgiven, we have to pray to God and ask to be forgiven, but first we need to humble ourselves, confess, and change our behavior, then He will hear and answer our prayer.

LOVE IS GIVING NOT RECEIVING

Proclamation:

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words The Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"  Acts 20:35 (NIV)

Explanation:

Luke, the careful researcher and accurate historian who was a traveling companion and the personal physician of the Apostle Paul, recorded here the words of Paul as he spoke and quoted The Lord Jesus.  Paul's point was that he did not preach and teach for money, he worked to provide for himself, and to use his earnings to help support the poor.  He also encouraged the people to do likewise, because as Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

Application

All too often today people are selfishly concerned with what they will receive, and care very little about giving to help others.  This attitude also pervades many of our personal relationships.  We often say that we love our friends, but we are more concerned with what we can get from them, or what they can do for us.  We use our friends for our personal benefit, we don't love them.  That is not Christ-like behavior.  Jesus was a giving person, and He taught that it was better to give than it was to receive.  He loved His friends, He shared information with them (Matthew 5:1-2), He shared food with them (Matthew 14:19-21), and He was willing to give up His life for them. (John 15:13-14)  His love was, and still is more concerned with others than with Himself.  Love is kind and it is not self-serving. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)  Love is giving and not concerned about receiving.  God is love. (1 John 4:8 and 4:16)  It is better, and more Christ-like, to give to others than it is to receive from them.   

HOW DO WE KNOW THAT WE ARE SAVED

Proclamation:

“We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers.  Anyone who does not love remains in death."  1 John 3:14 (NIV)

Explanation:

The Apostle John, who referred to himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved, here in this verse provided the answer to the question, "How do we know that we are saved?"  Under The Divine inspiration of The Holy Spirit of God his answer was, we know that we are saved because we love our brothers.  Those who do not love their fellowman are still lost in sin and are unsaved.

Application:

God is love, and he who does not love is not of God. (1 John 4:8 and 1 John 4:20)  If we love one another, then we are in God and God is in us. (1 John 4:12 and 1 John 4:16)  Jesus, The Christ, taught us that we are to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. (Mark 12:31)  If The Holy Spirit of God is within us, then we will exhibit evidence of the fruit of The Spirit, part of which is love. (Galatians 5:22-23)  When we display the love of God in our behavior, then we know that we are saved.  Death is the separation from God.  Those who live in the darkness of spiritual death, live a life which is dominated by hate, and not by love, because they have not accepted Christ. (John 3:36)  Therefore, they have not been born into the light of life with Christ.  Salvation is only available to those who believe. (John 3:16 and Romans 10:9)