Word of Jesus Part 17
Mat 20:1 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an
householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his
vineyard.
Mat 20:2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent
them into his vineyard.
Mat 20:3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle
in the marketplace,
Mat 20:4 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is
right I will give you. And they went their way.
Mat 20:5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.
Mat 20:6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing
idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
Mat 20:7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them,
Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.
Mat 20:8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his
steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last
unto the first.
Mat 20:9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they
received every man a penny.
Mat 20:10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have
received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
Mat 20:11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of
the house,
Mat 20:12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made
them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
Mat 20:13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong:
didst not thou agree with me for a penny?
Mat 20:14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last,
even as unto thee.
Mat 20:15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine
eye evil, because I am good?
Mat 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called,
but few chosen.
This continues the thought from the chapter preceding it that the Jews who were
called first, will be the last. It could also apply to Christians who have been
serving the Lord for a great length of time will be equal to a new convert.
We can learn much from this. First of all, to be thankful for God's salvation no
matter when we come to know Jesus Christ and to be faithful in all we know to do
after we come to Christ.
When we see the zeal and joy of new converts, we can learn from them. Have we
lost our joy and our first love? Have we become stale in our walk with the Lord.
Every day should be new and fresh as we walk in the spirit. We don't have to
become stale and dry.
I realize that we have to be on guard against latter day false teaching and
false movements. Jesus told us to watch and be careful. He warned us of false
signs and wonders. Yet in doing this we must be careful not to false accuse true
brothers and sisters in the Lord. If someone's reaction to the presence of the
Holy Spirit is so joyful that he or she jumps, leaps and shouts, do not
criticize that form of worship. If they teach doctrines contrary to the bible
however, speak out and warn. On the other hand if someone worships quietly,
maybe shedding a tear or maybe not showing any outward emotion, do not criticize
this type of worship. There is nothing in the bible that restricts one to a
quiet worship or an emotional one. I've seen both kinds criticized unfairly and
it is wrong. However, if a false doctrine is taught or a false way of salvation,
we must speak being careful not to offend new converts and those that will in
their walk make mistakes.
Sometimes some of us that have been around for a while struggle with the new
things. Some of the new things may be innocent. Some may mean serious trouble
ahead. I for one cannot stand singing choruses over and over and over. I would
much rather sing the southern gospel hymns like "When we all Get to Heaven" or
"Victory in Jesus".
I feel that they teach a message that the short choruses miss.
Yet I can't let that cause me to have a bitter spirit against those that lead
worship service. I just wish some of them would remember that the hymns of the
church were written by those who loved God and did not write for any financial
gain. Now one can write a short song, register with the CCLI and profit by their
music by charging churches yearly fees to sing them. I will leave that to their
consciences and not accuse them of not being true children of God but if they
taught another way of salvation or another Jesus in their music I must speak
out.
I'm not going to find fault if someone drives a fancy car or a junker, but
if they teach a false doctrine, we must speak out.
If a church wants to take up an offering before, during or after a service, it
is of no consequence but if they teach that one can commit sexual immorality and
still make heaven his home without repentance, then I will not accept that. If
one teaches that we can feed the poor, do good works and be active in the
community and enter heaven by our good works ignoring the sacrifice of Jesus
Christ and the only true way of salvation, then we must warn that we are not
saved by our own works of righteousness but only by what Jesus did on our behalf
when He died for our sins. There are times when we must speak out and not
fear the "touch not my anointed" warning that we hear so much. That
doesn't mean that we don't speak out against false teaching. David refused
to touch the anointed of the Lord being King Saul. He would not physically
harm Saul but it didn't stop David or Samuel the prophet from pointing out the
sin of King Saul. The children who mocked one prophet and were then
attacked by a bear were an example of unfair disrespecting a man of God.
The children were not pointing out any false doctrine or correcting any wrong,
they were mocking a man of God disrespectfully. We don't have to be mean
and cruel when we point out error but we must point out error. The bible
says if someone is taken in a fault, we are to go in the spirit of meekness.
We are not to false accuse, mock and go in a holier than thou attitude but sin
and false doctrine have to be corrected or others will follow after their false
ways.
Being an accuser of the brethren does not mean that we cannot warn against false
doctrine or teaching. I believe the prosperity doctrine is false. I believe
forced tithing and pressure tactics on giving is wrong. Jesus said to give
willingly.
I personally love to give and get great joy out of writing a check to the
church. I don't want to have to give because I'm afraid of a great financial
disaster if I don't give. We can't fool God. If we give because we are scared
not to give, then it is the wrong reason to give. Our church just raised money
to get the pastor's family a dishwasher. They did not ask or even hint for one.
They were going to buy one for themselves. What a joy it was to see tears in
their eyes when we presented them with the money to buy a dishwasher. That is
fun giving. It was a joy. It was love. We did not give because we were afraid
God would get mad if we didn't give. We loved them and wanted them to have a
gift.
Mat 20:17 And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the
way, and said unto them,
Mat 20:18 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed
unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to
death,
Mat 20:19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and
to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.
Again and again our Lord prepares His disciples for what is to come.
I'm seeing a trend in the church that is avoiding Revelations and prophecy. We
must warn against the time to come and prepare our people not to fall prey to
false teaching and doctrine. In the name of unity, many are casting aside sound
doctrine in order to "get along" with other churches and denominations. We
should love them and desire unity if we can and never persecute any that believe
differently then we do but we cannot unify with lies and false teaching. We
cannot join with a group that does not believe in the truth in the name of
unity. Jesus said we are to be one as He and His father are one. They were one
in the truth, not in lies. I can love my neighbor that is a different
denomination as me but I can't join with their group if they teach another way
of salvation other than Jesus Christ. I can't join in unity with any who say
that we can live in open sin, ignore God's word and still expect to go to
Heaven. I can't join with a group that says we are to join religion and politics
and set up Christ's kingdom on earth before He comes back. The church in the
Middle Ages already tried that and put to death many who opposed them. We are
not ordained of God to do those things. Only Jesus Christ can set up His own
kingdom, we are to preach the gospel and bring men and woman to Jesus Christ.
Teaching them to repent of sin and turn to Christ for salvation. Jesus
will do the setting up the kingdom and taking over governments. We are not to do
that ahead of time. We can read from history that man is not capable to setting
up a righteous kingdom. Sooner or later when a religion gets in power many
innocent people are put to death. Only Christ Himself can set up that kingdom.
Avoid the Dominion, Kingdom now, Prosperity or Replacement theology, they are
false doctrines.
Mat 20:20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons,
worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him.
Mat 20:21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant
that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the
left, in thy kingdom.
Mat 20:22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able
to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism
that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.
Mat 20:23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be
baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand,
and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it
is prepared of my Father.
Mat 20:24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against
the two brethren.
Mat 20:25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes
of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise
authority upon them.
Mat 20:26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among
you, let him be your minister;
Mat 20:27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:
When we remember this we become great in the kingdom of God. Humility. If we
remember who we are and remember to humble ourselves instead of exalting
ourselves, we would not fall prey to the prosperity doctrine, the dominion and
kingdom now doctrines or the Replacement theology. Replacement is the teaching
that the church replaces Israel as God's chosen people. We do not. We become
part of adopted Israel but we do not replace them. God is going to graft into
the vine the plant of Israel in the last days. Many are already coming to
Christ. Messianic congregations are springing up all over the place and I praise
God for every one of them.
Seeing ourselves as servants instead of people who are to get rich and take over
the government will keep us from false doctrine.
Mat 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to
minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
The church needs to get back to ministering, helping and serving rather than
taking, fleecing and using the people.
Mat 20:29 And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him.
Mat 20:30 And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard
that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of
David.
Mat 20:31 And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace:
but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.
Mat 20:32 And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that
I shall do unto you?
Mat 20:33 They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.
Mat 20:34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and
immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.
These men were healed because of their persistence. They didn't let the
unfeeling crowd stop them. They cried out even though they were rebuked. Jesus
healed them.
We can learn from them. We can't let family, friends, co-worker, fellows
students etc stop us from seeking and living for God. We must fervently pursue
God and study His word. How can we know who God is and what He is like if we
just rely on what we hear in church or on the news? Only from the word can we
learn of Him.
If one read church history, you might wonder why people allowed the church
leaders to do the evil that they did against humanity. The reason was that the
word was not given to the common people. They were not allowed to study the
bible. The bible was only to be interpreted by the church leaders. This is why
they went along with all sorts of distortions, evil and murder. God sent brave
men who risked their lives to free the bible from pulpit chains. We now can read
it freely in many countries. It was given to us to show us who God is and how we
can be saved from the wrath and judgment of God to come. Please don't leave that
in the hands of men. Study the bible for yourself.
