HOW TO GET ALONG WITH OTHERS
MARK9:33-37
SHOW OTHERS YOU CARE
GETTING ALONG WITH OTHERS. WHEW WE CAN PROBABLY SPEND WEEKS, MAYBE LONGER EXPLORING THE QUESTIONS AND ISSUES WHICH MAY ARISE WHEN COVERING THIS SUBJECT.
BUT, THROUGH THE TEACHING OF JESUS, WE ARE TAUGHT THAT OUR INTERACTION WITH EACH OTHER IS ALMOST THE EXCLUSIVE TOOL WE HAVE TO SHOW OUR LOVE TO GOD.
THE ONLY OTHER WAY IS THROUGH PRAYER WHICH MAY BE EQUALLY IMPORTANT, BUT IS A LESSON FOR ANOTHER DAY.
SO GOD LEFT US HERE, ALL 6,797,624,076 OF US, AS OF 1/20/2010 AT 12:16 pm, WITH THE COMMAND OF JESUS TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER. BUT JESUS DOES MAKE IT EASY ON US, RIGHT? BEFORE HE LEFT US HERE WITH THOSE INSTRUCTIONS HE CAME HERE AND PROVIDED US WITH A PERFECT EXAMPLE ON JUST HOW TO DO THAT.
THROUGH THE THREE YEARS JESUS SPENT HERE ON EARTH WE ARE WITNESS TO THE PERFECT WAY OF INTERACTION JESUS SHARES WITH US, CULMININATING WITH THE ULTIMATE EXAMPLE OF LOVE, WHICH IS HIS OWN SACRIFICE OF HIS LIFE FOR US.
THEN GOD INSPIRED CHOSEN MEN TO DOCUMENT THESE EXAMPLES AND COMBINE THEM IN ONE BOOK WHICH WILL BE UTILIZED AS A BLUEPRINT FOR ALL OF US TO READ AND FOLLOW.
SOUNDS PRETTY SIMPLE. NOW LETS CHECK OUT REPORT CARD AND SEE HOW WE HAVE DONE AS GROUPS IN TERMS OF FOLLOWING JESUS PLANS AND GETTING ALONG WITH OTHER.
LET’S SEE
NATION TO NATION=F
BUSINESS TO CUSTOMERS=F
GOVERNMENTS TO ITS PEOPLE=F
EMPLOYERS TO THEIR EMPLOYEES=F
YOU GET THE PICTURE. AS GROUPS WE HAVE FALLEN WAY SHORT AS TO WHERE JESUS WILL HAVE US BE. IN FACT I BELIEVE THAT EVEN IN THE LEADERSHIP OF MANY OF THE ORGANIZATIONS WHO CONDUCT THEIR DAILY BUSINESS IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST COME UP SHORT.
NOW I KNOW THAT WE AS INDIVIDUALS BELONG TO SOME OR PERHAPS SEVERAL OF THOSE ABOVE MENTIONED GROUPS. AS MEMBERS WE HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO TRY TO INFLUENCE THE GROUP TO CARRY OUT its ACTIVITIES IN A WAY THAT IS RICH IN CHRISTIAN VALUES.
BUT I AM NOT IGNORANT TO THE FACT THAT OUR INDIVIDUAL INFLUENCES GO ONLY SO FAR YET WE STILL MUST TRY THE BEST WE CAN.
BUT THE LESSON JESUS REVEALS TO US TODAY FOCUSES MORE ON HOW WE GET ALONG AS INDIVIDUALS WITH EACH OTHER.
I THINK OUT RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEOPLE CAN BE BROKEN DOWN TO THREE TYPES OR GROUPS.
1) FAMILY AND FRIENDS. THESE ARE THE CLOSEST GROUP AND INCLUDE THOSE WHO GOD HAS BROUGHT TOGETHER THROUGH BLOOD AND IN-LAW RELATIONS AS WELL AS THOSE WE CHOOSE AS OUR FRIENDS.
THIS GROUP HAS A SPECIAL PLACE IN OUR HEARTS AND IT IS THESE PEOPLE WHO KNOW THE MOST ABOUT US. WE MAY SHARE SOME INTIMATE FEELINGS AND THOUGHTS WITH THESE PEOPLE BECAUSE WE TRUST THEM MORE.
CONVERSLY IT IS WITH THESE FOLKS THAT WE SUFFER THROUGH THE MOST DIFFICULT RELATIONSHIP RELATED TRIALS WE CAN GO THROUGH. WE CARE WHAT THEY SAY AND THINK. THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO HURT US DEEPLY. BY THE WAY, THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO HURT US BECAUSE WE ENPOWER THEM WITH THAT ABILITY.
2) COWORKERS AND CASUAL AQUAINTANCES. WE SEE THESE GUYS ON A DAILY BASIS. WE WORK WITH THEM. THEY PUT OUR GROCERIES IN BAGS AND WORK AT OUR BANK, DOCTORS OFFICE GAS STATION.
OUR RELATIONSHIPS ARE CASUAL AND USUALLY REPRESENTED WITH A WAVE AND CONVERSATION LIKE HOW WAS YOUR CONVERSATION. WE TRY TO MAINTAIN A FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE BECAUSE WE KNOW WE WILL SEE THEM AGAIN AND AGAIN.
THEY PROBABLY KNOW LITTLE ABOUT US AND WE PROBABLY KNOW LITTLE ABOUT THEM OTHER THAN AN EXCHANGE OF WARM SMILES AND FRIENDLY SALUTATIONS.
SOMETIMES I THINK THAT THIS IS THE GROUP THAT WE MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO WITNESS TO THE MOST. THE BIBLE TELLS US THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT WITHIN US SHOULD BE A SIGN TO THE WORLD THAT WE ARE DIFFERENT.
WE CANT APPROACH COWORKERS WITH AN ATTITUDE THAT IS CONFRONTATIONAL REGARDING THEIR BELEIFS. BUT WE CAN BE A CHRISTIAN EXAMPLE TO THEM AS WE CONDUCT OURSELVES WITHIN THE WORKPLACE.
I KNOW IT’S DIFFICULT BUT WE CAN BEGIN BY STANDING UP FOR OUR MORALS AND ETHICS JESUS HAS TAUGHT US. FOR EXAMPLE WHEN A COWORKER TELLS AN OFF COLOR JOKE, POLITELY EXPLAIN TO HIM THAT YOU DON’T APPRECIATE THAT KIND OF HUMOR.
OR WHEN A GROUP IS DISCUSSING THE LATEST MOVIE, WHICH CONTAINS SEVERAL SEX SCENES, SIMPLY STATE THAT THIS IS NOT A MOVIE I WOULD GO SEE.
BUT PERHAPS THE BEST WAY TO BEGIN A WITNESS IS TO HOLD YOUR HEAD HIGH WITH CONFIDENCE WHEN FACING ADVERSITY. PEOPLE WILL COME AND ASK HOW YOU CAN BE SO POSITIVE. QUESTION LIKE THAT REPRESENT A DOOR OPENING FOR US TO BEGIN TALKING ABOUT JESUS.
3) STRAGNERS AND PEOPLE WE WILL ONLY MEET ONCE IN OUR LIFE. AT TIMES WE MAY HAVE THE CAVILIER ATTITUDE REGARDING OUR INTERACTION WITH THESE FOLKS. AFTER ALL WE WILL NEVER SEE THEN AGAIN.
AND MANY TIMES OUR CHANCE MEETINGS WITH THEM MAY BE NEGATIVE OR CONFRONTATIONAL. OUR PASTOR REPEATEDLY USES HIMSELF AS A BAD EXAMPLE WHEN HE SPEAKS OF CHANCE MEETINGS WITH PEOPLE WHO TAKE CERTAIN LIBERTIES WHEN DRIVING ON OUR ROADS.
I PROBABLY CAN PLACE MYSELF IN THAT CATEGORY ALSO. THIS IS AN AREA WHERE MY SIN NATURE CLOUDS THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WITHIN MY HEART. PRAISE GOD THAT THE SPIRITS CONVICTS ME AFTER I ACT LIKE A KNUCKLEHEAD. MAYBE SOMEDAY I’LL LEARN.
PERHAPS WHEN ANOTHER DRIVER TAKES THAT CLOSE SPOT IN THE WALMART PARKING LOT YOU HAD YOU EYE ON, A FRIENDLY SMILE AND A WARM HAVE A NICE DAY COULD REPLACE THAT EVIL STARE YOU HAVE CONJURED UP.
PERHAPS UPON LEAVING THE STORE THAT PARKING SPOT STEALER WILL NOTICE THAT CHRISTIAN FISH ON THE BACK OF YOUR CAR, OR RECOGNIZE YOU AS THAT PERSON HE SEES GOING TO CHURCH WITH A BIBLE TUCKED UNDER YOUR ARM.
PERHAPS YOU MAY HAVE NO INFLUENCE AT ALL BUT YOUR CHRISTIAN ATTITUDE MAY HAVE SOFTENED HIS HEART JUST ENOUGH THAT THE NEXT GUY WHO PROPERLY REPRESENTS THE CHRISTIAN WAY OF LIFE MAY BREAK THROUGH HIS HARD HEART.
WITNESSING FOR JESUS MAY NOT ALWAYS BE AN INDIVIDUAL EFFORT AND WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER AS TEAMATES FOR JESUS.
AS A CHRISTIAN WE MUST UNDERSTAND THAT PEOPLE WATCH US. SOME WATCH TO SEE WHAT WE ARE GONNA DO, WHILE OTHERS ANXIOUSLY AWAIT THAT “AHA” MOMENT WHEN THEY SEE US MESS UP. WE MUST CONTINUALLY KEEP THIS IN MINE AS WE GO ABOUT OUR DAILY LIVES.
THE APOSTLES AREN’T MUCH DIFFERENT THAN US. AT TIMES THEIR SIN NATURE GOT THE BEST OF THEM AND CAUSED THEM TO ACT IN A WAY THAT WARRANTED REBUKING FROM JESUS.
THE FIRST PART OF TODAYS LESSON FOCUSSES ON THAT AS WE SEE THE APOSTLES ACTING IN A LESS THAN CHRISTIAN WAY AND LATER BEING EMBARRESED AS THEY KNEW IMMEDIATELY THE ERROR OF THEIR WAYS.
033: And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?
JESUS AND THE APOSTLES WERE WALKING ON THE ROAD ON THE WAY TO CAPERNAUM. JESUS HEARD THE APOSTLES SQUABALING AMONGST THEMSELVES. IM SURE JESUS WAS EXACTLY AWARE OF WHAT THEY WERE SPEAKING ABOUT BUT HE CHOSE TO LET THEM BE.
I SUPPOSE HE WANTED TO GIVE THEM ENOUGH ROPE SO THEY COULD HANG THEMSELVES WITH THEIR WORDS. JESUS WILL ADDRESS THEIR CONVERSATION WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT. HE WOULD TURN THIS EPISODE INTO A VALUABLE LESSON, FOR THE APOSTLES AND FOR THE READERS AND STUDYERS OF HIS WORD MANY YEARS LATER.
034: But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.
THEY WERE CAUGHT. MAYBE IF THEY DON’T TELL JESUS HE WOULDN’T KNOW? RIGHT? WE KNOW BETTER AND SO DID THEY. JESUS HAD JUST TOLD THEM OF HIS DEATH A SHORT TIME EARLIER. THEY EXHIBBITTED GENUINE CONCERN. ESPECIALLY PETER WHO REBUKED JESUS.
IT DIDN’T TAKE TO LONG FOR THEIR CONCERN FOR JESUS TO FADE AND BE REPLACED BY PERSONAL AMBITION. WHAT CAUSED THIS? IT WAS THEIR SIN NATURE, THEIR HUMAN NATURE. IT’S THE SAME HUMAN NATURE WE HAVE IN EACH ONE OF US.
LEFT ALONE WE WILL FALL INTO THE SAME TRAP AS THE APOSTLES. IT’S ONLY THROUGH PRAYER, GOD’S WORD AND THE SPIRIT CAN WE FIGHT OUR NATURE AND WALK IN THE WAY OF CHRIST.
IN AFTER JESUS SPOKE OF HIS OWN DEATH HE TOLD THE APOSTLES THE NESSESSITY OF DENIAL OF SELF IN CHAPTER 8:
034: And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
035: For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.
036: For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
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OH HOW FAST THE APOSTLES HAD FORGOTTEN WHAT JESUS HAD SAID. OR PERHAPS THEY DIDN’T UNDERSTAND. IT’S A LESSON FOR US. IT’S NOT WHAT WE DO. IT’S NOT WHO WE ARE. IT’S RECONIZING WHO GOD IS AND DENIAL SELF IN A TOTAL SURRENDER TO GOD.
035: And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
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LETS VEAR AWAY FOR JUST A MOMENT TO DELVE INTO A PART OF THIS VERSE THAT MAY GO OTHERWISE UNNOTICED. I THINK WE MUST BE HONEST WHEN WE SEE MANY CHURCHES MODIFY THEIR SERVICE TO SUIT THE PEOPLE OF THIS MODERN AGE.
WELL IN THE TIME OF JESUS, THE TEACHER SAT AND EVERYONE AROUND HIM WOULD STAND. MANY TIMES, THE SERVICE WOULD GO ON FOR HOURS. THE AVERAGE TEMPRETURE IN ISRAEL IN THE HOT MONTHS IS 84 DEGREES, BUT COULD GET CONSIDERABLY HOTTER.
NOW WE HAVE SOFT CHAIRS WE SIT IN AS THE PREACHER STANDS, IN A COOL AIR-CONDITIONED SANCTUARY AND THERE ARE MANY WHO FIND THE INCONVENIENCE OF REGULAR ATTENDANCE PROHIBITIVE.
JESUS EXPLAINS TO THE APOSTLES THAT A DESIRE TO BE FIRST IN THIS WORLD WILL RESULT IN A POSITION OF BEING LAST IN GOD’S EYES. IN FACT WE WILL BECOME A SERVANT OF ALL.
WE ARE HERE IN THIS WORLD TO BE SERVANTS. IN FACT JESUS HIMSELF TEACHES THAT HE HAS COME HERE TO SERVE. IN MATHEW 20:28 JESUS TEACHES
028: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
IN A CONVERSATION WITH A CO-WORKER THIS WEEK I HAD MADE A COMMENT. IT’S JUST MY HUMBLE OPINION BUT I BELIEVE IT TO BE TRUE. IF I WOULD BE PERMITTD TO AFFIX ONE CAUSE WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THE EVILNESS AND COMPLEXITIES OF THE WORLD TODAY I WOULD HAVE TO BALME THIS.
I THINK WE HAVE ARRIVED TO A MINDSET WHERE PEOPLE HAVE PUT THEIR OWN INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AHEAD OF THE NEEDS OF OTHERS, WHETHER IT IS AN INDIVIDUAL OR A GROUP. WE SEE IT SO EVIDENT IN THE BEHAVIOR OF PEOPLE WE COME ACROSS EVERY DAY.
JESUS NOT ONLY TELLS THE APOSTLES THIS IS BEHAVIOR CONTRARY TO HIS TEACHINGS BUT WILL LED THEM TO BEING LAST. YET THERE ARE SOME, (THOUGH NOT ENOUGH) WHO WILL USE A LOFTY POSITION OF SUCCESS AS A PLATFORM FOT THE GLORY OF GOD.
036: And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,
A CHILD WAS NEARBY AND JESUS PICKED HIM OUT AND GAVE HIM A PLACE OF PROMINANCE. IN HIS ARMS. BEFORE HE SPOKE HE WAS TEACHING A LESSON. JEWISH TRADITION DICTATED THAT A CHILD WAS PLACED IN A POSITION OF LESSER IMPORTANCE.
THEY HAD NO AUTHORITY, PERSONAL SECURITY, OR WEALTH. BEFORE ACHIEVING ANY STATUS THEY HAD TO EARN IT. DO WE REGARD CHILDREN THAT WAY TODAY? ALTHOUGH WE HAVE LAWS PROTECTING THEM AND WE PROFESS OUR LOVE FOR THEM WE SOMETIMES CONSIDER THEM TO BE A NUISANCE.
CHILDREN ARE TO BE SEEN AND NOT HEARD. I SUPPOSE LITTLE HAS CHANGED IN THAT REGARD. BUT JESUS WAS ABOUT TO POINT THAT WE ARE EQUAL IN GODS SIGHT.
037: Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
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GOD WANTS US TO CARE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE A HARD TIME CAREING FOR THEMSELVES. WHEN WE RECEIVE PEOPLE LIKE THIS. LIKE A CHILD, OR A MENTALLY CHALLENDGED PERSON WE HAVE IN EFFECT RECEIVED JESUS.
JESUS THEN SAYS WE HAVE REEIVED THE FATHER. AGAIN I MUST REITERATE, THEY WAY WE CAN SHOW OUR LIFE FOR JESUS IS TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
MARK9:38-41
SEE OTHERS AS CO-WORKERS
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038: And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.
IT’S WONDERFUL TO LOVE ONE’S CHURCH. I LOVE MY CHURCH. IN FACT I THINK IF ONE DOESN’T LOVE HIS CHURCH HE MAY WANT TO CONSIDER FINDING ANOTHER ONE. THIS IS NOT TO MEAN WE WILL ALWAYS AGREE WITH EVERY DIRECTION OUR CHURCH WILL GO IN.
BUT THERE ARE OTHER CHURCHES OUT THERE THAT ARE GREAT ALSO. THEY ARE NOT OUR COMPETITION. THEY ARE OUR ALLIES, OUR CO-WORKERS, OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST.
IF WE HOLD OUR CHURCH, OUR GROUP, OUR WEB SITE ABOVE OTHERS WE NEED TO CHECK WHY WE ARE A PART OF IT. IS IT FOR OUR OWN GLORY OR FOR GOD’S? OF COURSE WE MUST MAKE SURE THAT ANOTHER IS BIBLICALLY CORRECT.
1JOHN4:1 SAYS
001: Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
BUT ASSUMING THAT A GROUP WILL PASS THE TEST SPIRIT, JESUS TELLS US TO MAKE THEM OUR CO-WORKER IN THE SPREADING OF THE WORD OF JESUS.
THE APOSTLES WITNESSED ANOTHER CASTING OUT DEMONS IN THE NAME OF JESUS WHO WERE NOT ONE OF THE TWELVE. THE APOSTLES GREW CONCERNED.
BUT WHAT WAS THEIR CONCERN. WAS IT FOR JESUS AND HIS MINISTRY, OR WAS THIS MAN A THREAT TO THE ELITE POSISITION THEY POSESSED AS ONE OF THE TWELVE JESUS HAS PERSONALLY SELECTED.
THE BIBLE DOESN’T TELL US NOR DOES JESUS SEEM TO CARE AS TO WHY THEY EXPRESSED CONCERNS. HE DOES REVEAL THAT JESUS WILL CORRECT THEIR THINKING.
039: But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
JESUS TELLS THEM DON’T STOP HIM. HE IS ON THE SAME SIDE AS WE ARE. HOW CAN ONE SPEAK AGAINST GOD WHEN HE IS CASTING OUT DEMONS IN HIS NAME?
IT MAY BE A BLOW TO THE APOSTLES BUT JESUS IS TELLING THEM THE GOSPEL OF GOD IS FOR EVERYONE. IT IS A MESSSAGE THAT WILL NOT BE SO WELL RECEIVED BY THE NEW JESWISH CHRISTIANS DEPICTED IN THE BOOK OF ACTS.
HE FUTHER STATES, IN VERSE 40, THAT THIS MAN IS ON OUR SIDE.
040: For he that is not against us is on our part.
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JESUS OPPOSED THE EXCLUSIVENESS OF THE ATTITUDE OF THE APOSTLES. HE TEACHES THAT ONE CANT BE FOR JESUS AND AGAINST HIM AT THE SAME TIME.
LET’S MAKE A NOTE OF THE APPARENT FAITH OF THIS MAN. FIRST OF ALL WE KNOW JESUS WAS WELL AWARE OF THE CASTING OUT OF DEMONS THIS MAN WAS PERFORMING. JESUS IS GOD AND KNOWS ALL. BUT THIS MAN COULDN’T CAST OUT THESE DEMONS WITHOUT GREAT FAITH.
HE WAS NOT ONE OF THE TWELVE YES HE HAD THE FAITH TO CAST OUT THE DEMONS. THAT’S A GOOD DEMONSTRATION OF STRONG FAITH.
041: For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
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JESUS PRESIDED OVER NO CLOSED GROUP OR SOCIETY. HE DISCOURAGED THE HOLIER THAN THOU ATTITUDE THE APOSTLES MAY HAVE ADOPTED.
JESUS STRONGLY APPROVED OF HUMBLE SERVICE. ANYONE WHO PROVIDES SERVICE IN THE NAME OF JESUS WILL IS BLESSED WITH GOD’S GRACE REGARDLESS OF THEIR STATUS.
THE APOSTLES WERE TAUGHT A VALUABLE LESSON AND IT STILL HOLDS TRUE TODAY. WE SO OFTEN SEE POWER AND STATUS CORRUPT A ONCE HUMBLE SERVANT
MARK9:42-43 AND 47-48
SACRIFICE FOR OTHERS SAKE
AS WE HAVE SEEN SO MUCH IN THE TEACHING OF JESUS. WE LEARN OF THE DO AND DON’TS. THOSE WHO DO ARE REWARDED THOSE WHO DON’T ARE JUDGED. THESE NEXT FEW VERSES ARE NO DIFFERENT.
042: And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
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JESUS OFTEN MAKES COMPARISIONS FOR THOSE WHO DO WHAT IS RIGHT WITH THE RAMIFICATIONS OF THOSE WHO DO WRONG. IT WAS BETTER THAT JUDAS HAVE NEVER BEEN BORN. IT WAS BETTER TO BE IN THE CITY OF SODOM THAN TO BE IN CEASURERA AND REJECT THE WORD.
SCHOLARS DIFFER ON THE USE OF THE TERM LITTLE ONES HERE IN THIS VERSE. SOME REFER BACK TO THE CHILD MENTIONED EARLIER. OTHERS SUGGEST THAT THIS TERM REPRESENTS NEW OF BABY BELEIVERS. WHILE OTHER SCHOLARS BELIEVE THE TERM IS INDICTITIVE OF ALL CHRISTIANS.
WHATEVER THE EXACT MEANING JESUS INTENDED, THE IMPLICATION REMAINS THE SAME. WE ARE ALL LITTLE NEXT TO JESUS. IF ANYONE IMPEDES THE PROCESS OF GETTING CLOSER TO JESUS THERE WILL BE SEVERE REPROCUSSIONS.
JESUS USES THE EXAMPLE OF A MILLSTONE TO ILLUSTRATE HIS POINT. A MILLSTONE WAS USED TO GRIND GRAIN. SOMETIMES IT WAS PULLED BY DONKEYS TO ACCOMPLISH THIS. A SMALL ONE MAY WEIGH APROXIMATELY 100 POUNDS. BUT THEY CAN WEIGH ALMOST A TON.
WITH JUST A SMALL ONE AROUND HIS NECK, EVEN MICHAEL PHELPS WOULD GO STRAIGHT TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA. WHAT JESUS IS SAYING IS, MESS WITH MY PEOPLE AND THERE WILL BE SEVERE JUDGEMENT.
043: And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
044: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
045: And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
046: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
047: And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
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THESE VERSES ARE SIMILAR IN NATURE AND WE WILL GRPUP THEM TOGETHER AND STUDY THEM. GOD PROVIDED US WITH PHYSICAL TOOLS WHEN HE CREATED US. THESE TOOLS ARE WONDERFUL GIFTS UTILIZED FOR THE PURPOSE OF EXPERIANCEING THE WORLD AROUND US.
WE HAVE THE SENSE OF SIGHT, SMELL, HEARING, TASTE AND TOUCH. OTHERS PARTS CONTRIBUTE TO THESE SENSES ALSO. IN ADDITION TO HAVING A PURPOSE, (A JOB IF YOU WILL) THESE PHYSICAL TOOLS ARE ALSO DESIGNED FOR US TO ENJOY THE WORLD GOD CREATED FOR US.
WE ENJOY LISTENING TO MUSIC OR SMELLING A FRESH POT OF COFFEE BEING BREWED. WE REVEL IN THE SIGHT OF MAJECTIC MOUNTAINS OR A POWERFUL WATERFALL. IT IS GOD’S INTENTION FOR US TO FULLY ENJOY THESE PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES.
BUT LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE OUR OWN SIN NATURE IS FULLY CAPABLE OF USING THESE GIFTS FOR SOMETHING OTHER THAN THE GLORY OF GOD. WE CAN USE THESE TOOLS TO FEED THE FLESHY EVIL DESIRES THAT ARE CONTRARY TO THE WAYS OF GOD.
JESUS USES THREE OF THESE PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES TO TEACH US WE ARE BETTER OFF WITHOUT THEM THEN TO LIVE WITH THE PUNISHMENT MISUSE MAY BRING. AND HIS EXAMPLES ARE RATHER SEVERE.
VERSE 42 SPEAKS OF THE ISSUES OF AN OUTSIDE SOURCE OFFENDING THE BELEIVER. BUT IN THESE VERSES JESUS ACKNOWLEDGES THAT WE CAN OFFEND OURSELVES WITH THE MISUSE OF THE GIFTS GOD GAVE US.
JESUS USES THREE TO ILLUSTRATE HIS POINT BUT THE POINT EXTENDS TO ANY PART OF THE BODY WE MAY USE TO OFFEND GOD. HOW CAN WE USE THESE BODY PARTS TO OFFEND GOD?
MANY PEOPLE TODAY, IN FACT SO MANY IT’S A SAD EPADEMIC, SPEND SO MUCH OF THEIR TIME LOOKING AT PORNOGRAPHY. I KNOW IT’S SEVERE BUT WHAT JESUS IS SAYING, I BELIEVE BOTH FIGURATIVLY AND LITTERALLY IS YOU ARE BETTER OFF PLUCKING OUT YOU EYES THAN SPENDING SO MUCH TIME OFFENDING GOD WITH THAT PRACTICE.
IF YOU ARE YOU USING YOUR FEET TO STEAL OR HURT ANOTHER YOU ARE BETTER OFF WITHOUT THEM. IN FACT JESUS QUOTES THE PROPHESY OF ISAIAH 66:24 IN THIS VERSE
024: And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.
