“So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. 22And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.” Lk. 14:21-22
The first century church was anticipating the return of the Lord in their day. Here we are almost 2000 years later and we are still anticipating His return. Why such a delay? “…Yet there is still room.” Any moment now, the last seat could be taken.
“Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: 17And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. 18And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 19And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. 20And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.” Lk. 14:16-20
One man said, “I needs go,” another said, “I go to prove” and another said, “I cannot come.” Really when it comes down to it they all were saying, “I will not come.” God has always had a harder time with those who are too busy for Him than He has had with lost sinners.
“Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” Jn. 6:68
Over 32 years ago I surrendered my life to the one who has the words of eternal life. Today I still know whom to go to. Throughout the entire length of your Christian life you will be learning to go to the Lord. The more we learn this, the more we will be in His presence.
“And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” Acts 5:42
Other bible translations of this verse say, “preach Jesus as the Christ.” The point is that the message that the disciples preached was one of proclaiming that Jesus is the Messiah whom they have been waiting for. In America, there are few that have not heard of Jesus. Even the cults and false religions heard of Jesus. We believers in America, no doubt preach that Jesus is the Savior of the world, but we have even a more difficult work before us. We need to preach and demonstrate who the real Jesus is. Preach the real Jesus, not the one made in man’s image.
“Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king. 19And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes. II Chron. 34:18-19
I am borrowing a quote that was posted on Facebook. “The more I read through the bible, the less I have in common with modern Christianity.”
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:” Eph. 4:11-13
Ministers are called to perfect, edify and bring saints to a deeper knowledge of God, they are not called to keep the peoples religion going.
“And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.” Jn. 20:30-31
More was heard, seen and done than was recorded. What was recorded is sufficient. If you needed more recorded, God would have had it recorded. With this you must be satisfied. After all, if there were more Gospels and Epistles in our bible it would just be more reading that wouldn’t get done, more things to believe that many would have a hard time believing and it would be more confirmation to obey those things which many refuse to obey. Thank you God for the exact length, words and details of Your word that You have had recorded for us.
“And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:” Jn. 20:22
Just as God breathed into Adam’s nostrils and he became the first living soul, Jesus breathed on His disciples and they became the first to be born of the Spirit. That very day was the first day that men were BORN AGAIN. From that day on the Spirit of God would dwell in men. 49 days later believers were filled with the Spirit which would usher the born again man out into a dark world and give him the power and boldness to speak against that darkness. Some men want to be filled with the Spirit, but have never been born again; that won’t work. Some believers want salvation, but don’t want to be filled; they don’t work. And last, some believers are filled with the Spirit; they do the work.
“Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.” Jn. 20:17
Did you get what Jesus is saying here? His Father is our Father, His God is our God. Jesus is saying we have the same connection and privilege to the Father as He does. How awesome is that? Be encouraged today my brethren.