Book of Matthew, Chapter 27

Chapter 27 

When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. And they bound him and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate the governor.

Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself. But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury since it is blood money.” So they took counsel and bought with them the potter's field as a burial place for strangers. Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him on whom a price had been set by some of the sons of Israel, and they gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord directed me.”

Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?”  But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge so that the governor was greatly amazed.

Now at the feast, the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” And he said, “Why? What evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”

So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves.”  And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.

As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross. And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. And over his head, they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.

Now from the sixth hour, there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.”  And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.

And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 54 When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”

There were also many women there, looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him, among whom were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him.  And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.

The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.

Do Not Worry About Things Out of Your Control

It is NOT out of God's.

Worry can lead to much worse, than that of which you are worried about.

In life, as the old saying goes, stuff happens. Stuff always happens. Things go wrong. Things turn out to be "bad." People worry. They worry about the little things, all the way up to, and including death itself. So today, I want to talk about worrying about those things you can not change.

We are in a pandemic. People are getting sick. So severely, some have died. The world shut down for the first time ever. We are faced with a new normal of social distancing and face masks. People have been forced out of Jobs. People have lost businesses. People are afraid of what comes next.

So here you are, sitting home, fearful of the future. I know some that go to work every day, fearful that it is their last. Is there anything you could have done to stop the loss of your job? Probably not. Is there anything you can do driving home, to change the fact you lost your job? Nope. So why worry about it?

You have an unfair advantage. You really do. Remember, you are a child of God. Remember, God promised you, your needs will be met. Remember, Luke 12:22-32

"And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.

Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

You see, as a child of God, The God of gods, the King of kings, the Creator of all that is, was, or ever will be, is your Daddy. You think He will not meet your needs? Think of the rich man. Would he not give all he has to his son or daughter if they became in need? Of course. God is far richer than the richest man. So you do not have to fear the loss of a job. You also do not need to kill yourself trying to make that next dollar. As a side note.

When you think about what reality really is, and you come to the recognition of who you are as a Child of God, a job is nothing to worry about. What about those that worry about war? World peace? Famines in other parts of the world? Worry about the end of the world? What about those that worry about what others think of them? Worry about crime. Worry about sickness. Worry about the choices their loved ones make?

Truth is, none of this really matters. You do not control world governments. You do not control sickness and disease. You can not make the decisions your loved ones need to make on their own. Even your kids. You do not control crops. You do not control the world.

Truth is, what is important for you to think about, is who you are. Learn who your Father is. Did Noah control the flood? Nope. He built an Ark to ride it out because God told him to. He obeyed God. Did Job worry about losing everything, including his health? Nope. He endured it. Did Jesus Himself control His torture and crucifixion? Nope. He endured it because He knew it must come to pass.

"I do not have enough money to pay the bills and to Tithe." What did Jesus say about paying taxes?

"Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's." Matthew 22:21

Trust me, that 90 percent will go far further than that 100 percent would ever come close to.

"I worry about what others will think of me. This whole Faith thing. So many people pick on it and call people that have Faith names and think that they are stupid. I do not want to be thought of this way." Remember what Jesus told His Disciples, He is telling you also, that many will not hear His Word. But that is no excuse for telling them the truth. In Luke 10:1-12

"After this, the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town."

God is your Daddy. In most cases, He is NOT theirs. Who is smarter? You are a Child of God. As Romans 8:28-39 declares,

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died more than that, who was raised who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

There is nothing that a thief can do. Nothing any other human can do, to separate you from the love of God. There is nothing anyone can do to you. including the taking of your life. Remember what Jesus even said about fearing those that can take your life?

"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell." Matthew 10:28

And in. Luke 12:4-5

"And I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!"

If someone comes up to you, points a gun at you, and pulls the trigger, they may end your time on earth, but the Word declares this in 2 Corinthians 5:8

"Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord."

I want you to think about this. Jesus is telling you that you should have no fear. The worse thing anyone could possibly do to you is to end your time here on earth. They can only do this if God allows it. After that? What more can they do? Nothing.

All this pandemic can do in it's worse stage is to end your time on earth. There really is nothing to fear whatsoever. This is because, once you become a child of God, you become an heir to the Kingdom. I use Colossians 3:10 when I give the Prayer of Salvation because it makes it clear. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." The new you is immortal. You will be in a far better place. You will be in Heaven. With the Lord. So who wins? Even the devil himself cannot win against you. Do you remember when Jesus was talking to Peter? He told him that the devil wants him?

"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day until you deny three times that you know me.” Luke 22:31-34

I can not even imagine what Peter was thinking here. Here he is, with the Lord of lords. The King of kings. Here he is with Jesus himself. He watched Him walk on water. He walked on water with Him. He watched Him raise the dead. He watched Him do miracles. He just told him that Satan wants him. I have no doubt that he thought Jesus said "No, you can't have him. He's with me." Nope. Jesus said, "But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fails not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." So in essence, He said "OK" What? Wait. What?

Temptations will come. The devil will tempt you. Bad things will happen. These things will happen, if you believe them or want them, or not. But God knows who you are. He knows your heart. He will strengthen you. He will comfort you. He will forgive you. But do not think that as a child of God, you will not have to face trials and tribulations. No. Greater than you did before, you will now. Don't worry about them. You can't change them. All you can do is endure. Learn from them. Strengthen others afterward.

The end time. You can find Jesus talking about this in Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21, and of course, you can find it in detail in The Book of Revelation. Jesus comes right out and tells us, there will be wars, sicknesses and diseases, famines, natural disasters, and this.

"But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near." Luke 21:20

All these things are coming about. We can see these things all around us. But Jesus said, "Be not terrified." He is forewarning us that these things will happen. We can't change them. We can't stop them. There is nothing we can do. So why should we worry about them?

People worry about the silliest things. We really do. What is not in our control, we should not worry about. We must trust in God. He knows our hearts. He knows our minds. He knows what is going on in our life. He knows more about it than we do. Do you know, right now, there are two coworkers or yours, talking on the phone, and plotting how to get you into trouble, because of whatever reason? God does. Did you know that your car is about to break down? The computer chip is going to fail today on your way home? God does. Did you know the devil is going to meet you today, and tempt you with something that sounds incredible? God does. Do you know if you will give in to the temptation? God does. Do you know right now that there are Governments plotting and planning attacks on each other? God does. God is God. He knows all things always.

Some things in life, some moments in time, are completely fixed. They MUST come about, for whatever reason. You can't stop them. You can't change them. You cannot even avoid them. They WILL happen. How you chose to deal with them, will affect you more, than the events themselves. Why worry about the things that you cannot change?

Trust in God. He is your Father. Have faith in Christ. He is your Savior. Listen to the Holy Spirit. He is in you. You are a blood-bought, duly cleansed, Child of God. Worry? "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." Some things are not ours to change, but for us to endure. Why worry about them? But as a Child of God, endure you can.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Are you sure? Are you comfortable knowing that the signs are there, and we may see that cloud with Jesus returning in our lifetime? If you have never done so, say this Prayer? Say it in your own words. Mean it from your heart. Remember, God, KNOWS your heart.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a Sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus and His Sacrifice for me. I believe that He raised from the Dead. I repent my Sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now you need to find a church that God leads you to and be baptized the way Jesus said to be. But you are now a child of God. A new creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." Colossians 3:10 Now stop worrying about everything. Your Daddy knows best.

Until next time, be blessed, and Jesus IS Lord!

Book of Matthew, Chapter 26

Chapter 26

When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”

Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him. But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people.”

Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.” But Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. In pouring this ointment on my body, she has done it to prepare me for burial. Truly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.”

Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver. And from that moment he sought an opportunity to betray him.

Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Where will you have us prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He said, “Go into the city to a certain man and say to him, ‘The Teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.’” And the disciples did as Jesus had directed them, and they prepared the Passover.

When it was evening, he reclined at table with the twelve. And as they were eating, he said, “Truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” And they were very sorrowful and began to say to him one after another, “Is it I, Lord?”He answered, “He who has dipped his hand in the dish with me will betray me. The Son of Man goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been better for that man if he had not been born.” Judas, who would betray him, answered, “Is it I, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You have said so.”

Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.”

And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour?  Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.  Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”

While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; seize him.” and he came up to Jesus at once and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” And he kissed him. Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.”Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled.

Then those who had seized Jesus led him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. And Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards to see the end. Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’” And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. What is your judgment?” They answered, “He deserves death.” Then they spit in his face and struck him. And some slapped him, saying, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is it that struck you?”

Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.”  But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

True Religion? Giving.

Giving is not a suggestion

As we wrap up this series entitled "True Religion," I believe most can understand and even agree with what we have discussed so far. Then we come to today. "Giving." I know, I know, I can hear some of you right now groaning. Moses would even call some murmuring. People absolutely hate, some cringe even, whenever anyone brings up that dreaded "G" word "Giving."

This is because we have always been taught that we work for wealth. We work to have lifestyles we seek, things we want, and to save for the future, so we will not have to work anymore. People are taught to be greedy. Not wall street wolf type greed, although some find this too, to not only desire to keep all you can get, but to get all you can get.

People work so very hard. Some two jobs and go to school at night because they want to make that six-figure salary. They want the big house, sports car, and money in the bank. They want the very best in life and they want to be self-important and self-reliant. They want to rule their world.

Then they come to church, and they hear the message of faith. They are happy. They accept Jesus and they start learning the way of God. Then the message comes up on tithing and offerings. What? Wait. You want me to give ten percent of my money? Every payday? What? Do you know how much that is? I can't afford that. I have a large mortgage and a large car payment. I have an entertainment expense account to pay for. Season passes, Dinner reservations, Hotel accommodations. You know. I can't afford to give ten percent. Remember what Jesus said?

"And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." Matthew 19:16-22

Now stop right there, and do not be offended or angry. Am I saying that God is telling you to give everything you have to the poor? No. Relax. He told him that. But look at what He actually says here. “If you would be perfect." He already told the man that he was saved and he was going to heaven, but the man continued to press Him and, I believe he was sincere in his question, in telling him how to be more perfect and a better child of God. Jesus answered him “If you would be perfect,."

Jesus was telling this rich young man that he needed to make a choice. It is the same choice we all need to make. This man was rich and, here is the problem, he LOVED money. He loved his riches. He took comfort and assurance in his riches. His money was his life. Jesus said, choose. Money or God. He tells us the same thing.

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." Matthew 6:24

Look at this passage. Let us really read the words here.

“Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” Ephesians 4:28

Read that last part again. Highlight it, underline it, memorize it even. "so that he may have something to share with anyone in need" "So that." So you can. Work for the purpose of, "have something to share with anyone in need"

First of all, it ALL belongs to God, to begin with. Without God, well, you would not even be alive. however, you would not have the talent, abilities, or even the job itself. It all comes from God and is all given to you. So? It is all yours?

Second, God only asks for ten percent. That is $10.00 out of every hundred. So if you make $1200.00 a week it is $120.00 If you make $3000.00 it is then $300.00. Yes, if you make $100.00 and are struggling to pay bills, it is still $10.00

Does it seem fair? Someone paying their tithes of $300.00 a week and another paying $10.00? As Jesus tried to teach His disciples, the one paying $10.00 is most likely better off.

"Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. and he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” Luke 21:1-4

"But I'm not a thief. Your one example there says "Let the thief no longer steal." I'm no thief." If you are not tithing? Sorry. God calls you a thief.

"Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need." Malachi 3:8-10

God requires ten percent. Has been like this since Moses. That is so the local church can exist. Forget anything else. Without your tithe and offerings, the church cannot even exist. The physical building needs funds for electricity, running water, heat, etc. It needs to be able to pay the same bills you pay. It needs to pay the Pastor and the rest of the staff that have given up their lives in the service of God. Then, on top of all that, the church needs to have "food in my house." Means to help those in need.

Now, this is all only with the ten percent. The tithe. The mandated amount. What about anything more? That is called an offering. How would you like God to see you? Clinging to every last cent you make? Or being a generous giver.

“He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor.” Psalm 112:9

Now that is a great compliment. "his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor.” Why? Because he freely gave. He was not working for himself. But for others. David sang how the Righteous will never be moved. Those who have true religion will ever be moved. It is never about ourselves as children of God. It is always about others.

To recap,

1 True religion is a relationship with God, not just man-made traditions called religion.
2 True religion requires action. "Be doers of the word, not hearers only." James 1:22
3 True religion requires you to give.

Forget what the world tells you. Forget counting out the exact penny of your tithe. Just have a relationship with God. Follow His commandments and listen to His word. Give freely both to the church, and even to those who may be in need, if you can, and see what God's word says about you?

“He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exulted in honor.” Psalm 112:9

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will heal you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a Sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus and His Sacrifice for me. I believe that He raised from the Dead. I repent my Sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is just that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shalt confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, you shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}

Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus is Lord!

Book of Matthew, Chapter 25

Chapter 25

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward, the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’  But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

“For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming, I should have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me,  I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

True Religion, Action

Faith without works is dead. 

I care about the environment. I care about the poor. I care about those that are sick. I know we as a church need to keep these people in our prayers and we need to show people how much we care by posting memes and sharing thoughtful posts on social media.

"If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." James 2:15-17

What good does it truly do, to care? Seriously. Does it make you feel good that you have identified a problem and you show people how much you care by what? Sharing your feelings? What have you done about it? Look at this. This is from Jesus to you. Yes. You.

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

This is basic Christianity 101. Look at all the times Jesus said "Follow me." What did they do? They left everything and followed Him. If you say you are a Christion or a follower of Christ, what are you actually doing? To follow means to take action. To move. To do what you see Jesus doing. At the very basic, fundamental level you should be sharing the "Good News." The Gospel. The Truth.

Does this mean you go to work all week and then Sunday morning comes and you try to wake up, put on your best clothes and head off to Church? You know, if you are not too tired? Following the service, you feel pretty good and go home to watch the game and go back to work on Monday? Is this what being a true follower of Christ is?

How do I know I'm in the right Church?
How do I know that the Child of God talking to me, IS a Child of God?
How do I know I AM a Child of God?

The answer is the same to all versions of this question. It is an answer that Jesus Himself gave us. It is a pretty simple one, and one easy to understand.

"You will know them by their fruits."

Pretty easy concept, is it not? He was talking about false prophets. He was talking about false religions. He even told us that these fakers would rise. He said this.

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits, you will know them." {Matthew 7:15-20}

First, finding a true Church of God. Is there a draw to it. A nudge, or pull of the Spirit? Second, Pray about it. Ask God if this is the Church you should be a part of? Third, and the most obvious, what does the Church do? Are they feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, setting captives free? What fruit do they produce? Are the people attending the church "active members?" What fruit do they produce, or are they just there for the show?

If you want to be honest with yourself, look in the mirror, and ask yourself the same question. What fruit are you producing? I'm not trying to pick on anyone or call anyone out. Just something you really should do from time to time. Why? Because you will answer for it in time. Look what Jesus tells us will take place when you stand before Him.

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." Matthew 25:31-46

We see that even Jesus Himself tells us, that compassion is not enough. We must actually do something. Now, do not misunderstand the point here. Yes. It IS by Faith are you saved. Not of works. However, once you are saved, what good is your Faith without works? That is the point. What good does it for a little Girl standing Naked and Hungry at your door, for you to have all the compassion in the world and yet not give her some clothes and food? It means NOTHING. Your compassion without works means NOTHING. When Jesus made this statement, He was talking about people like us. God does not seek an audience, but workers.

"And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest." Luke 10:2

Do not put it off either. If you see a need, fill it. Today. At this very moment. We do not even know if we will be here tomorrow. James warns us of this too.

"Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit” yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:13-15

True religion demands action. Not just an audience. Not just compassion. But action. Here is another aspect of true religion that we will dive into next time. Giving. Yup. That "G" word. Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will heal you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a Sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus and His Sacrifice for me. I believe that He raised from the Dead. I repent my Sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is just that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shalt confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, you shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}

Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus is Lord!

Book of Matthew, Chapter 24

Matthew 24

Jesus left the temple and was going away when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”

As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. or many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.

 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

“So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.

“Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

“But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

True Religion

Religion is not Salvation

First, let's talk basics. Religion is not going to save you. Being a good little "Insert religion here" is not going to save you. Sorry. It is just the simple truth. Religion is a man-made concept and most of the time has nothing to do with the true God and or, His plan of salvation. 

Simply put, Jesus is "the way, the truth, and the life." John 14:6 Jesus is the key to Salvation. It is simply, accepted by you or not, a fact, that without Him, you can not enter into Heaven. It is simply a fact, again, accepted by you or not, that "neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12

God made His plan of salvation simple and easy for all to obtain.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." John 3:16-18

First, notice this. Jesus does not say "If you eat meat on Friday, or don't eat meat at all, or walk a half a mile on the Sabbath day, or if you say ten "Hail Marry's"" No He says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." Whoever. This means? Whoever. Anyone. Everyone. All you have to do is accept Jesus and believe He raised from the dead, and you shall be saved. Romans 10:9.

It also says this. "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." Does it say "If you murder someone, or if you do not follow this or that tenants of said religion, or if you do all sorts of evil?"  No. It says "but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." Whoever? Whoever. Anyone. Everyone. That simply? "has not believed" is? "Condemned already." There is nothing you need to do accept not believe in Jesus, and you are condemned already because He is the only true way to Heaven. He is the Door, the Gate, the Shepard. He and the Father are one. John 10, Romans 10:13 says “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

So any religion that does not have this simple truth, Jesus IS Lord and He is God, is a false religion. Paul said this in 1 Corinthians 12:3

"Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit."

Jesus puts it plainly as recorded in Mark 9:40 "Whoever is not against us, is for us." Which also works the other way.

You see it really is that simple. You accept the gift. You receive the key. You are adopted into the family of God, and He becomes your Father. He tells us, that, His people are a family. That being a child of God, you are now heirs.

"and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him." Romans 8:17

How many of you are parents? You have a child and all of a sudden, nothing else really matters. When the child is a baby, you have to treat it as a baby. Feed it, burp it, change it. Do everything for it. As it grows, you teach it. As it gets older, it will make its own choices. You still love him or her, no matter what choice they make. However, once they reach a certain age, they will decide the direction of their life. Either they will follow what you have taught them, or they will go out on their own. But you are still their parent, and they are still your children.

God is the same way. He wants you to get to know Him. He wants to spend time with you. You with Him. He wants to teach you all things and the ways you should go. Religion comes in and attempts to teach us God's Will. However, Religion IS Man. Organized Religion is a man-made tradition. Man-made beliefs. Man-made rules and regulations. What to do. Not to do. What to eat. What to wear. How to speak, etc. Religion for Religion's sake is pointless and can actually do more harm than good. If the Religion that you belong to, does not have the Key, what's the point? If the Religion you belong to, tells you things that are NOT in the Word of God? What's the point? If you are mindlessly following traditions of men, in the hopes of feeling holy, just, or even simply forgiven, if God is not involved, you accomplish nothing.

Look at Acts 4, Peter and John are arrested and brought before the council and they are put on trial. They see that a man had been healed and they see that Peter and John are doing good works, and they tell them to stop? Nope. They did not tell them to stop doing good works, but they did tell them to stop teaching the name of Jesus.

"So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus." Acts 4:18

Then they threatened them more and let them go. They had no problem with "religion." After all, Peter and John were Jews and the same "religion" as those on the council. They did not have a problem with the "good works:" that they were performing. No. What they had the problem with is Jesus. It is still this way today, in many places around the world.

What did Jesus himself say about Religion?

"Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,” he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God. You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said:

‘This people honors me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me;
in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”" Matthew 15:1-9

Teaching for doctrines, the commandments of men. Just because you may be following the traditions of men, doesn't mean you are following God's Word. Or His teachings. Jesus warns us of false prophets and false religions.

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits." Matthew 7:15-20

Wonder about a religion? First, do they have Jesus? Second, look at what they are doing. Are they going out to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and give peace to those in need? Are they using the Tithes and Offerings to help others? Is what they are telling you actually IN The Word? Are they producing anything? Are people being saved because of them? That is the sort of thing you should look into before committing to becoming a member of that religion or even that Church. Remember what Jesus said? Remember he was talking to the Priests and Rulers of the Synagogues, The Religious folks.

"You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” John8:44-47

What Jesus is saying to these people, is that they are so caught up in the following of their man-made traditions, called Religion, that they could not see the Truth, when it was right there in front of them. Many times we do this. When we get so caught up in religion, politics, culture, whatever, that we become blind to anything else. We become so focused on the "Me" factor, that we fail to see anyone or anything else. If you are a black man, you can not possibly believe anything a white man says. If you are a Jew, you can not possibly believe anything a Christian says. If you are a Democrat, you can not possibly believe anything a Republican says. ETC. We get so caught up in following the traditions of those that came before, we can not hear anything that may be new to us. We can not believe that what we have always believed, may not be the truth.

I remember a story I heard once. There was a flood. A Man and his family were forced to go up to his roof. The water kept rising. A boat came by and said to the man, "Get in." The man said. "God will save us." Water rises more, and another boat comes. "Get in." The man says "God will save us." Now the water is on the roof. A third boat comes and says, "You will die here. Get in!" The man says, "You know not what you are saying. We are a family of God. God will save us!" He and his family die. They go to Heaven. He says to God. "Why did you not save us." God says, "I sent you three boats."

Jesus is the Boat. He is the Truth. He is the Way. He is the Life. We are wading around in the flood of iniquity. We live in sin. The flood rises every day. Jesus is saying to you, "get in." What say you? Now hear these words by Paul. Remember Paul? He was a murderer until Jesus met him on the road to Damascus. He, in essence, said "follow me" and Saul said "yes." Saul became Paul. In Galatians 1:11-17

"For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus."

This is very powerful. Paul is telling them here that he once killed and enslaved God's chosen people. He received great profit and praise, received high positions of power in his religion. He was "great" in the eyes of his religion. Yet, he found that he was wrong. He stopped listening to the teachings of his religion, he started to learn from God himself. You can too. It's called a one on one relationship with God. Read His Word. Ask Him to teach you. Learn from the Spirit. In 1 Thessalonians 2:13-17

"And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. For you, brothers became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!"

Again, you see that it is not about religion. You know, I was once told by a Hasidic kid "I am not supposed to talk to you." Why not? I asked him. "Because you are not clean. You are beneath me." I asked, do you believe that? He didn't know. We ended up playing paper football on the Front Desk in a Hotel, where the Boy was attending a religious ceremony.

Religion teaches of a loving God, yet, we must hate and shun those that are not like us? Religion teaches salvation, but not for all? Religion teaches us to murder those that are not like us. Yes, religion teaches us many things. But do you REALLY know who God is? Do you have the Key? Are you doing God's Will or the Will of man? Are you making the Commandments of God of no effect, in the keeping of man-made traditions? These are the things you really need to ask yourself.

Learn from God. He will teach you the truth. Have faith in Him. In His Word. Seek out His Will, His plan and purpose for you and your life. If someone tells you something that is not in the Word, they are lying to you. If they tell you something that is not of God, they are telling you things of man. Or worse. Get to know the truth. For if you know the truth, you will not fall for a lie. God is the truth. His Word is the truth. Everything else is the traditions of men. Even the Chruch of Christ can fall into the trap. More on that next time.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will heal you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a Sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus and His Sacrifice for me. I believe that He raised from the Dead. I repent my Sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is just that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shalt confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, you shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}

Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus is Lord!

Book of Matthew, Chapter 23

Matthew 23

Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples,  “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat,  so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. For you neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.

 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.’ You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 So whoever swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. And whoever swears by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it. And whoever swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat, and swallowing a camel!

 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous, saying, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ Thus you witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers. You serpents, you brood of vipers, how are you to escape being sentenced to hell? Therefore I send you prophets and wise men and scribes, some of whom you will kill and crucify, and some you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town,  so that on you may come all the righteous bloodshed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Barachiah, whom you murdered between the sanctuary and the altar. 36 Truly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”