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Foolish Things to Confound the Wise

5/26/2022

  “For you see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called (I Corinthians 1:26).”  Most of us that are saved and are called to serve are regular folks.  We don’t have the family name, great wealth, or are considered great minds such as scientists or philosophers.
          “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty (I Corinthians 1:27).”  You see, this is God’s plan.  It’s not something that the great thinkers, the rich or the powerful can understand.  After all, they’re the movers and shakers in society.  There are a few, sad to say only a few, who are confused enough about what is going on that they want to understand it.  These few are also saved and called to serve.
          “And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not to bring to nought things that are (I Corinthians 1:28).”  It’s a little wordplay on contrasts.  God has chosen the people who are considered lowly and despised by the well-to-do of this world to serve.  Why?  To bring the things that are really low and despicable in this world to nothing.
          “That no flesh should glory in his presence (I Corinthians 1:29).”  That no one, of any class or reputation, shall be able to glory in himself before God.  God’s plan and God’s grace saves us.  Nothing else.
          “But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption (I Corinthians 1:30).”  Only God is the author of our spiritual life.  No status in this world accomplishes it.  It’s only because of God’s mercy that we are established in Christ Jesus.  It’s only through Jesus we receive wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption
          “That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord (I Corinthians 1:31).”  If you’re going to brag, brag about how God has saved you.  Amen and hallelujah.

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You Live Your Answer

5/15/2022

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   “Whom do men say that I am?”  It’s a short sentence Jesus asked of his disciples.  Mark 8:27 is the passage.  Short answer:  most people don’t actually answer that questions with words, they answer it with the way they live their lives.  Think about it.  Roughly speaking, most of us are acquainted with what the Bible is all about: the Golden Rule, the Ten Commandments, a few Bible stories such as David and Goliath, and the Lord’s Prayer.
          The big “Q”:  Who do men say I am?  The answer can be found in how people spend their money, use their time, what they talk about, and how they conduct themselves.  There’s a book written some years ago titled, “Amusing Ourselves to Death.”  So many in today’s world are doing just that, amusing themselves, unfortunately, to death.
               If you attend Pastor Josh’s sermons on a regular basis, you’ll hear him say, “Heaven is a prepared place for prepared people.”  It’s something he says with regularity.  Does it ever sink in?  I hope so.  Christianity isn’t a “fluffy” religion.  It requires faith, study and growth.
          “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world.  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (I John 2:16,17).  If thou doeth well, shall thou not be accepted? And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. (Genesis 4:7).”
          Who do people say Jesus is?  When people buy something for themselves rather than helping someone in need:  when people gossip and talk about their neighbors:  when people would rather sleep in or do something else rather than attend church: when people withhold tithe to do other things?  Who is Jesus to those people?  Really, who is he?
          After it is all said and done, there is only one answer to who Jesus is:  He is the One who loved mankind so much that He came and died for us so we could live with Him in eternity.

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Excuses

5/8/2022

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  What if there were no more preachers to preach?  No more churches to attend?  No more Sunday services offered?  Would it be missed?  Would it even be noticed?
          The modern fast-paced world offers many reasons for pushing people of faith to the back of the bus—too busy, too much to do, so many responsibilities, other things planned for the Sabbath.  Other things planned, period.  Does showing allegiance to God and faith even matter at all?  Does showing up to darken the door of churches even count for anything?
          Pretty ‘thoughty’ stuff.  What does the Book of Truth—the Bible—have to say about it?  Well, in Ezekiel 34 there is a long discourse on how God has had it with the shepherds of Israel.  There’s a list of things He’s particularly incensed about in verse 4.  It’s a list of nots—not taken care of the weak, not tended the sick, not helped the injured, and not looked for those who wandered away and are lost.  In God’s eyes it matters whether people only look after their own needs and have little or no thought for others.  An angry God is not someone to trifle with.  Oh, it’s okay to make excuses to the faithful.  They’re not any better than anyone else.  Right?  What about staring God in the eye and making an excuse?

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Making Jesus Sigh...

5/1/2022

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  “In those days the multitude being very great…” (Mark 8:1).  Jesus is being followed by a multitude.  In this case it was about four thousand.  We know that because he fed them with seven loaves and a few small fishes until they were full, and there were leftovers.  This is not just one incident of the power of Jesus.  He has performed many miracles.  It’s that this is the one that happens just before he has another run-in with the Pharisees.
          Jesus and his disciples take a ship to Dalmanutha.  Mark 8:11 sets the stage for what happens next.  The Pharisees show up, again.  This time they want a sign from heaven.  They must really be after him because this group has already accused Jesus of being a devil in league with Beelzebub (Mark 3:22).  There’s no way they will ever accept any sign as being from heaven.
          If they were really willing to accept a sign from heaven, they would have accepted the one when Jesus was baptized.  After all, all three members of the Trinity were present.  Matthew 3:16-17 verify it.  “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”.
          There were plenty of eyewitnesses.  It doesn’t say the Pharisees were there.  They could have been.  After all they were keeping an eye on John the Baptist, too.  But, even if they weren’t there, they certainly knew about it.
          It’s no wonder that Mark 8:12 said that Jesus sighed deeply in his spirit.  It’s like the straw that breaks the camel’s back.  He was so done with this game they kept playing.  He just up and gets back into the ship and leaves.
          It’s the same over two thousand years later.  There’s enough about our redeemer circulating through mankind that the truth is available for those who want to know it, believe it, and make Jesus Christ their personal savior.  Just like the Pharisees they can’t see their own ruin coming.  God help them.

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Foolish Things to Confound the Wise

You Live Your Answer

Excuses

Making Jesus Sigh...

Linda Johnson

Andrea Strong

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