Luke - Little Ones

Luke 17:1  Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!
Luke 17:2  It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.  

I see here a need to be gentle and sensitive to people. Too often we see only our needs and our view of things. When we are offended we need to be careful how we respond. We are to care for one another. Sometimes others do not see as we do.  

Phil 2:3  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Phil 2:4  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Who are the little ones? We just spoke of Lazarus the beggar. He was ignored and abused by the rich man. Little ones, as children under the responsibility of parents. The parents not being caring parents, allowing harm to them. The mill stone waits. What about false teachers leading people astray? Surely they share in the condemnation. Jesus loves the little ones. Little children according to 1John were new believers. What if we keep a new believer from continuing because we are too full of pride? We get together and argue over doctrines and the little one leaves in confusion. Satan comes along and puts doubt in their minds. Are we helpful to the little ones? They are everywhere so be kind, be sensitive, put away pride and speak on their level. Soon the little ones will grow in the Lord to be fruit bearers in the Fathers vineyard.

Luke - Son of Abraham

Luke 16:23  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
Luke 16:24  And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.  

The rich man still has contempt for Lazarus. Send Lazarus to cool my tongue, even to dip his finger in water. Hellfire, is a hot place for those who refuse God's way in this life. He appeals to Father Abraham as a son of Abraham. That is not enough to be right with God. Jesus spoke to proud Pharisees who trusted in their connection to Abraham, but opposed Jesus, the promised Messiah from Abraham and God.  

John 8:39  They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
John 8:40  But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
John 8:41  Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.
John 8:42  Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
John 8:43  Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
John 8:44  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
John 8:45  And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.  

The Rich man was connected by blood to Abraham, but his heart was on his wealth, while on earth. He had no compassion for those in need. He was in need spiritually, but was blind.

Luke 16:25  But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.  

It is more than being rich or poor. The heart must believe the promises of God. The promise of a Messiah to come, who would take away our sins.

Luke 16:26  And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
Luke 16:27  Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:   Still, he sees Lazarus as a lowly servant.
Luke 16:28  For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
Luke 16:29  Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.  

They had Moses and the prophets who spoke of the one who would come. Still most Jews are blinded, not seeing Jesus as their Messiah. The day will come for Israel to see.  

Rom 11:25  For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Rom 11:26  And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Rom 11:27  For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

Luke 16:30  And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
Luke 16:31  And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.  

 So true, for Jesus would arise from the grave and still most of His Jewish brethren would not receive him. The time is coming, hard times, but Israel will receive their Messiah. It was too late for the rich man, but it is not too late for you to receive Jesus and escape eternity in hell. Heaven is the home for God's newborn children. The choice is now, receive the Lord Jesus Christ,the Promise of God for your salvation.  

Esther 5

Esther 5

More Questions - law and grace

If we are NOT in Christ we are judged by the "law" ?
If we are "IN" Christ we are still judged, right?

The law of God is his truth. If we are not saved and forgiven, then at the final judgment we will be sentenced to eternal separation because we were breaking his law.  In Jesus Christ we will never be sentenced. We have eternity with God. The laws should still be kept, because we want to do what is good. The judgment of Christ is to receive rewards. That which is not of him will be removed.    In short...apart from Jesus we must pay for our sins. In Jesus, he has paid for them, we are counted as Gods children. That is certainly where we want to be.  

 Does God mean if someone is in a really bad
marriage they still can't get a divorce?

Bad marriage? We always try to reconcile, but if in danger, we do not stay in harms way. I have spoken with several abused wives, one was Jewish. I told her of Jesus and she was saved. I also told her to not stay where she was being beat up. God does not want that. And, children in harms way should be taken with them to a safe place. One fearful wife received the Lord in an IM, brought her 3 children to hear about Jesus and receive him. Then they went to another city. God wants us to be careful who we marry, to choose one of faith, and to put Jesus at the center.  

Also wanted to know how come John the Baptist
was a prophet under the law when he is only in
the new testament of the bible.  

Good question. The gospels were at the end of the old covenant. It was the death and resurrection of Jesus at the end of the gospels that the new covenant began.  

Luke 22:20  Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

Questions

 

Gary, have been told by a pastor that Jesus will judge the "Christians" and God, the Father, will judge those others left after the rapture. (Other than the "Christians")   Also, have been told by this same pastor that if one has been baptised in the Spirit by Jesus that they will speak in tongues.  That this is the same: Speaking in tongues and baptism in the Spirit.  Please help me.   I have believed that one can be baptised in the Spirit by Jesus and rec. other 'gifts' other than speaking in 'tongues'.  Also, have believed that Jesus (as God) will judge all, period.    

Good questions...

  Jesus will "judge" Christians, but no wrath, only for rewards.   

2 Corinthians 5:10 says, For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.    

I was taught in the Baptist church that God the Father will judge all the sinners at the great white throne judgment.  

Rev 20:11  And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.  

And Him who sat on it: Who is this? The Bible tells us that the Judge is Jesus (John 5:22-27); or more likely, the fullness of the Triune God.

Rev 20:12  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.  

This is not a trial. There will be no defense, nor arguing, for God is truth and all will be revealed. This is the sentencing of God. We aretold not to judge, which refers to the sentencing of someone "go to hell?" God is the final judge and Jesus shall be the judge of all men.  

John 5:22  For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
John 5:23  That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.  

Never are the three separated. Maybe for that short time on the cross. Thats it. They all are together. At judgment, Jesus is the voice and face of God.

Baptism in the Holy Ghost...Pentecostals insist on tongues. Those who do not go to all the other churches.  :>)  Read my web site...Baptism of the Holy spirit

Luke - Bosom buddies

Luke 16:19  There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
Luke 16:20  And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
Luke 16:21  And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
Luke 16:22  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;  

Some say this is only a parable, but, parables do not use men's names. Jesus described an actual occurrence. Abraham's bosom, was to be close to Abraham where he is.

John was at the bosom of Jesus, when with him on earth.  

John 13:21  When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
John 13:22  Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.
John 13:23  Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.
John 13:24  Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake.
John 13:25  He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?

Bosom, signifies (a) "the front of the body between the arms;" hence, to recline in the "bosom" was said of one who so reclined at table that his head covered, as it were, the "bosom" of the one next to him, Jhn 13:23. Hence, figuratively, it is used of a place of blessedness with another, as with Abraham in paradise, Luk 16:22,23 (plural in ver. 23), from the custom of reclining at table in the "bosom," a place of honor; of the Lord's eternal and essential relation with the Father, in all its blessedness and affection as intimated in the phrase, "The Only-begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father" ( Jhn 1:18) (Vines)    

 Luke 16:23  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.  

Hell and Abraham's Bosom were far from each other. Hell could see the blessed place, Paradise, but those in Paradise probably could not see hell. These were blessed old covenant saints of faith, who believed the promises of God. By faith they are saved. Jesus had not yet made a place for them in heaven, so they were alive and well in spirit in this place of waiting.  

 John 14:1  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
John 14:2  In my Father's house are many mansions (dwelling places): if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
John 14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.  

Paul has given us the hope, that to be absent from this world is to be present with God. This is the New Testament promise. in Christ Jesus.  

2 Cor 5:8  We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
2 Cor 5:9  Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

But, you may say, are not those of the old testament sleeping in their graves? No, they were kept alive and well in spirit in the holding place called Paradise. As Jesus spoke about to the thief on the cross who repented.  

Luke 23:43  And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.   Are these saints dead or sleeping;  living?  

Mat 22:31  But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,
Mat 22:32  I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?

God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
Perhaps some are still waiting for the rapture, God knows.  

1 Th 4:15  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
1 Th 4:16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

No believer will be left behind. No believer will face the wrath of God.  

Rev 20:6  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.  

Be encouraged.
 

Luke - Unfailing law

    Luke 16:16  The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.  

The old covenant with and through Israel of the law and the prophets, ended with John the Baptist. He was the last prophet under the law, making the way for a new covenant. The new covenant was accomplished through Jesus, his blood shed for our sins, his resurrection from the grave and grace received through faith in him. I see the new covenant as for every man, whosoever who will come to Jesus. The crowds pressed to get to Jesus, so we must be determined to receive from him eternal life. There is opposition from the flesh and the devil, but the truth shall make you free, press in and receive life more abundant and everlasting.

Luke 16:17  And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.  

A tittle, a point, the minute point or stroke added to some letters of the Hebrew alphabet to distinguish them from others which they resemble; hence, the very least point. (Easton's Bible Dictionary)   Jesus is saying that God's law is true and will remain true. Jesus fulfilled all the law, so by receiving Jesus we are in agreement with the law and being in him, we are free from the curse of failing the law. We are safe in Jesus, God's wrath will not come to us for failings. It is the grace of God we receive through faith in him. Praise God!  

Luke 16:18  Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.  

Now why did he bring this up? Why? Because it is God's pure law. So many people ignore this law and divorce and remarry for something better. No, it is adultery. If you are not in Christ Jesus, you will be judged by this law. If you are in Jesus, you certainly willfully will not do this? Jesus is our refuge, but let us not continue to sin willfully.  

Rom 6:1  What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Rom 6:2  God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Rom 6:3  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:5  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Rom 6:6  Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Rom 6:7  For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Rom 6:8  Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
Rom 6:9  Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
Rom 6:10  For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
Rom 6:11  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rom 6:12  Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Rom 6:13  Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.