Matthew 24 “End Of Days”

But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” (v.37)

OK. What were the days of Noah like? The Bible tells us that the wickedness of man was great, and that every imagination of his heart was only evil (Genesis 6:5). Abnormal sexual practices abounded (Genesis 6:4), and that violence and corruption filled the earth (Genesis 6:11). Sound familiar?

Today, we are seeing the days of Noah virtually repeated by man. Violence, corruption, evil imaginations and abnormal sexual practices are abounding. Add to that, pestilences, famines and earthquakes, floods and tsunamis. Along with a society that calls good evil and evil good. Noah lived before the flood, and we before the fire. Noah spoke of a coming physical rain (to man's days), and we (the church) the coming reign of Christ (to end man's days).

Noah had been building his ark and preaching to his people for one hundred and twenty years, but they did not listen. They just kept living in sin, and each day was like the next - eating, drinking and marrying. Right up until the day Noah entered into the ark and it began to rain. So too people today care nothing for their spiritual future, though they hear the message all around them: radio, TV, pod cast, churches, friends, neighbors, family. They only live for the moment with no regrets. After all, there's plenty of time to "catch up" with Jesus, right? Wrong!

In chapter 24 Jesus speaks of the end times as they relate to nations, Israel specifically, and the church. At the end of the chapter (vv. 42-51), Jesus instructs all of us to be faithful servants, to be watchful, wise, and warns us concerning the events of His return. And like those who were shut out of the Ark in Noah's day when it began to rain, so shall it be with those who have not headed the warning, and accepted God's Son before the coming of Jesus - in the twinkling of an eye.

Therefore, be His faithful servants, be watchful, be wise, and be warned, for the end of days draws near.

The Truth: “But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.” (1 Peter 4:7)

Matthew 13 “Parable Of The Wheat And The Tares”

“The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while he slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way." (vv. 24-25)

Chapter 13 is often called, The Kingdom Parables. Parables generally teach one main point or principle. The idea behind the word parable is “to throw alongside of.” It is a story thrown alongside the truth intended to teach. Parables have been called “earthly stories with a heavenly meaning.” A parable is not an allegory; an allegory is a story in which every possible detail has an inner meaning; but an allegory has to be read and studied; a parable is heard. We must be very careful not to make allegories of the parables. 

One of the parables spoken by Jesus here in chapter 13 is the parable of “The Wheat and the Tares” (vv. 24-30), a story many in an Agrarian society could identify with. The good wheat coexisting along side with the bad tares sowed by an enemy. And the wisdom of the master in allowing them both to grow together until harvest time, at which point the difference would be manifested. The tares then would be gathered into bundles and burned, but the wheat would be gathered and placed into the barn. 

In this parable the field is the world, the wheat the sons of the kingdom, and the tears are the sons of the wicked one. This world was created (planted) by God and for His good pleasure, and He (the master) has allowed the good to flourish along with the bad in it. However, like all creation, this world will have an end. Then, at the end of days, there will be a great harvest-day, a day of judgment. During that harvest, all is ripe and ready to be cut down. Some to be burned with fire, while others will be gathered and placed into His Kingdom.

At that time, better to be the wheat than the tares.

The Truth: And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.” (Revelation 14:15)

Matthew 12 “The Unpardonable Sun”

Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven men. If you speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven: but whosoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come." ( vv. 31-32 ).

Basically, the unpardonable sin is the refusal to adhere to the work of the Spirit in your life. The work of the Holy Spirit is to convict men of their sin, by revealing to man the answer for his sin, Jesus Christ. God has made only one provision for our forgiveness, one provision for the putting away of our sin, and that provision is in and through His Son. The Spirit of God then comes to bear witness of this fact to us. If one continually refuses that work of the Holy Spirit in their heart, there is no forgiveness.

The Truth: “There is no other name (Jesus Christ) given among men, whereby we must be saved."     ( Acts 4:12 ).

Matthew 11 “Have Faith In God”

Jesus said unto them, "Have Faith In God.” (v.22)

Here in chapter 11 Jesus was teaching his disciples to have faith in God to accomplish those things which seem beyond man's capabilities. This short statement literally means, have the faith of God - full, perfect, effectual faith. No doubts, no fears, just an unwavering confidence in the agent doing the work – God.

Jesus said, "Come unto to Me all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30). By allowing Him to shoulder our burdens, it not only lightens our load, but gives us peace and rest in our souls knowing He is faithful.

Therefore, the next time you find yourself struggling behind the plow of life, exercise your faith in God by displaying your unwavering confidence in Him, to accomplish those things which are beyond your control.

The Truth: "Our God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or think." (Ephesians 3:20)

Matthew 10 “Confess Christ”

"Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” (vv. 32-33)

One day we will all stand before God, but those who have stood for Christ here on earth, will not stand alone before God in heaven. Those who have confessed Jesus Christ before men, when their name is called to stand before God, Jesus will step forth and confess them before the Father. As Jude said of Jesus, "To Him (give glory) who is able to keep us from stumbling, and to present us "faultless" before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy" (Jude 1:24).

However, if a person denied Jesus Christ before men, they will stand alone before God. And in that sobering moment may even turn to Him and say, "Lord, Lord," but He will shake His head and say, "I never knew you.” Wow! what a fearful thing to stand before the living God with no advocate. Better to confess Him now, willingly, and save your soul, than to confess later, on your knees, before the living God, and have no advocate to save you from eternal judgment.

The Truth:  "'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’” (Romans 14:11)

Matthew 9 “Pray The Lord of The Harvest”

“Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray the LORD of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (vv. 37-38)

God has a purpose and a plan for every single person He has ever created. He wants to use all of us to reach out and touch the peoples lives that we come in contact with every day, so we can help point them to Jesus. There are so many people in this world who are hurting and they are searching for answers in all the wrong places.

If we are listening carefully, we might just hear God asking us to be the one who brings the Truth to them. Let’s choose today to start saying, “Here I am Lord, send me!” and allow Him to use us however He sees fit. So let’s be ready when He calls us.

The Truth: "In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and earthenware, and some for honorable use, some for dishonor. If any one purifies himself from what is dishonorable, then he will be a vessel for noble use, consecrated and useful to the master of the house, ready for any good work.” (2 Timothy 2:21-22)

Matthew 8 “Jesus Sent Away”

 "When they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their coast.” (v.34)

Chapter 8 now picks up His story after He came down from the mountain. Having just proclaimed the kingdom of God was at hand to many through the sermon on the mount, He begins to show what it will be like during the kingdom age through a series of miracles. Jesus, through the power of His spoken word cleanses a man of leprosy (vv.1-4), healed a paralyzed servant of a centurion (vv. 5-13), healed Peter’s mother of a feverish sickness (vv.14-15), healed many who were demon possessed (vv. 16-17), and calmed the wind and the waves by His command, while He and His disciples were in a boat during a great tempest at sea (vv. 23-26).

Now once they had safely crossed the sea of Galilee, they landed at the Country of the Gergesenes, a place on the eastern side of the Sea. There, two men (probably greeks) came out of the tombs who were demon possessed, and came face to face with Jesus. The men were so exceedingly fierce, that no one from the local area dared pass by those tombs. Then suddenly they cried out, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before “the time” (vv.28-29)?

Wow! The multitudes did not recognize who He was, those He helped saw Him as a healer or a teacher. His own disciples wondered what manner of man He was that the wind and the waves obeyed His voice. But the demons who possessed the two men (greeks) from Gergesenes, knew exactly who He was, and feared what He might do to them before "their time.” So rather than becoming un-embodied spirits, the demons begged Jesus saying, “If you cast us out, permit us to go into the heard of swine" (near by). And He said to them, “Go” (vv. 28-32). Then suddenly, "the whole heard of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the water" (v.32).

Scripture does not record the two liberated men’s reaction to this event. But, it does record the reaction of those who were tending the swine. They went into the city and told everything they saw, including what happened to the two demon possessed men. Then the whole city came out to meet Jesus, and "when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their coast” (v. 34). I guess they cared more about their business of pig farming (most likely illegal in that area of the world), than what Jesus had done for their countrymen. So sad when people, companies, bureaucracies, and even churches, care more about their bottom line than one of their own. 

However, just as the liberation of two lives from demon possession is a far greater to God than a heard of swine, so too is the liberation of your soul greater to God than anything else to Him, and it gives cause for much celebration in heaven. All are equally important to God, so much so that He sent His only Son to die a sacrificial death on the cross that whosoever believed upon Him would have eternal life (John 3:16). Jesus Himself said, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; If any man hear My voice, and opens the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him and he with Me" (Revelation 3:30). 

Therefore, when Jesus comes knocking on the door of your heart, do not send Him away, let Him in. You will be eternally grateful! 

The Truth: "I say unto you, that joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety-nine just persons, which need no repentance."

Matthew 7 “Avoid Hypocrisy”

“You hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of your own eye; and then shall you see clearly to cast out the speck out of your brother's eye."

Why is it always easier to find fault with others, than it is with ourselves? Why do we clearly see the short comings of others, and not our own? Some might say human nature, others sin nature, still others may say the that's just how I'm built. But Jesus calls that, “Hypocrisy.” Why? Because we should first begin with ourselves.

As Christians, we are to take notice of our own sins, and do away with them. Then we will be better qualified to correct the faults of others. Jesus said earlier, "Judge not, that you be not judged" (v.1). While there is a need to correct faults, we should not point out the faults of others unless we ourselves are committed to restoration and not condemnation. Keeping in mind the manner in which we judge others, is the way we too shall be judged.

Therefore, love your bothers and sisters in Christ enough to correct their faults in love, without condemnation, keeping in mind how you would want to be corrected in love as well. In this we can avoid division and hypocrisy in the church.

The Truth: "Brethren, if a man (or woman) be overtaken in a fault, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering yourself, lest you also be tempted." (Galatians 6:1)

Matthew 6 “Seek God First”

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (v.33)

Here in chapter 6, Jesus continues with His sermon on the mount, expounding great wisdom to all who listened on many subjects; Prayer, fasting, material wealth, pleasing God, the lamp of the body, our service to God, and the subject of worry. As a type “A” personality, I have always had the tendency to, over plan, over think, and just plain over worry. Sometimes I would get so far down the road that I would freak myself out (not to mention others), especially when it came to financial matters.

This scripture has done a lot to liberate me from the obsession of financial worry. Yes, I will be the first to admit it is a good idea to have a plan, and I still do, but taking this scripture to heart has lifted a great weight off my mind, and has enabled me to live in the present and not worry (so much) about the future.

For the Christian, this must be the rule of our life when ordering our priorities. Yet it is wrong to think that this is just another priority to fit onto our list of priorities – and to put at the top. Instead, in everything we do, we seek first the kingdom of God.  If you put God’s kingdom first, and do not think that your physical well-being is a worthy object to live your life for, you then will enjoy His  promises of heavenly treasure, rest in divine provision, and fulfillment of God’s highest purpose for man – fellowship with Him, and being part of His kingdom.

This choice – to seek first the kingdom of God – is the fundamental choice everyone makes when they first repent and are converted. Yet every day after that, our Christian life will either reinforce that decision or deny it. However, if one must worry, we are told in verse 34 to, "worry only for the things of today." 

Most of our worry is over things that we have absolutely no control over anyway, and is therefore foolish as well as harmful. Jesus reminds us of the importance of living for the present day. It isn’t wrong to remember the past or plan for the future; to some degree both of those are good. Yet it is easy to become too focused on either the past or the future and to let the day and its own trouble be ignored. 

I believe God wants us to remember the past, plan for the future, but live in the present.

The Truth: “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matthew 6:34)

Matthew 5 “Pure In Heart”

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (v.8)

There is certainly a lot to think about and meditate on in this chapter. For me though, all the lessons here come back to the condition of our heart. If our heart is pure, so will our witness be, our attitudes towards others, our wives, our children, even our advisories. Our word will be our bond, out oaths true, our friendships unconditional, even going the extra mile to love the unloveable, and to find common ground with the constant antagonist.

Yes it is easy to fall into the trap of eye for an eye, and tooth for a tooth, but leave all that to God. Remain pure in heart, let your light shine before men. And it will not only glorify your Father in heaven, but you will give light to all those around you, that they may see His Spirit at work in you.

The Truth: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)