Highest priority in the life
Jesus who appears in John 4 was weary (John 4:6), thirsty (John 4:7) and hungry (John 4:8).
He became like us to become a merciful and faithful high priest (Hebrews 2:16-18) and to sympathize our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15-16).
In Matthew 4, Jesus was hungry after fasting for 40 days and 40 nights (Matthew 4:2). And the devil tempted Him to tell stones to become bread (Matthew 4:3). This was the 1st temptation among 3 temptations recorded in Matthew 4. Even though He was hungry, the fasting made Him ready for the tests. But the devil tempted Him to affect His readiness (preparation) for the tests including remaining 2 other tests.
Will the devil tempt us against our preparation or readiness? ‘Yes’ especially if you are (will be) a God’s kingdom builder.
Jesus said in John 4:34.
34 “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.
Jesus taught in Matthew 6.
… do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink;… (Matthew 6:6). 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33).
This teaches us the priority, which was shown in the life of Jesus.
The Parable of the Shrewd Manager
Luke 16:1 – 9
The topic of today’s message is The Parable of the Shrewd Manager.
“shrewd” means having or showing sharp powers of judgement; having an ability to assess situations or people accurately.
What this parable teaches us is written in Luke 16:8 – 9. That is, it teaches us to be ‘shrewd’.
‘Be shrewd’ so that you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
The manager in the parable acted shrewdly in the moment just before losing his current job. This moment represents our life. Our life is short and in need of preparing for the spiritual reality after the death. This parable teaches us to be as shrewd as the manager. You don’t have much time to think twice. You need to act now.
Use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves (9a).
God is Light
“In him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have
fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie
and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light,
as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one
another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, puri fies us
from all sin.
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and
the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful
and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from
all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we
make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in
our lives.” (1 John 1:5-10)
“Repentance and Forgiveness”
“No one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born
of water and the Spirit.” (John 3:5)
“born of water” means “repentance”. Repent your sins and
consider your sinful body has been buried in the flood.
“born of the Spirit” means “God’s forgiveness”. If you
repent, the Holy Spirit of God will wash your sins away
through the blood of Jesus.
“Eternal Life” or “Eternal Judgement”
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the
righteous to eternal life.” (Matthew 25:46)
This life is the opportunity for you to repent and receive
the eternal life. If you waste this opportunity, there will
be eternal punishment (hell).
Repent & confess your sins.
Recognize that Jesus died on the cross to pay for your
sins.
Accept God’s forgiveness through the blood of Jesus.
Read the Holy Bible.
Attend a Church.
Choose your Eternal Destiny
Just as people are destined to die once, and
after that to face judgment. (Hebrews 9:27)
We all know every one of us will die once sometimes.
What happens after the death? Each individual will face
judgement of God. What will be the result of the judgement?
See Matthew 25:46.
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the
righteous to eternal life.”
As shown above, the Holy Bible teaches us the eternal
destiny – either eternal punishment or eternal life. Where
do you want to spend your eternity? Would you leave
your eternal future to chances? This life is one chance for
your eternal destiny. Then, what should we do? See
Matthew 4:17a.
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for
the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
You should repent now seriously with tons of tears. Jesus
has paid for your sins & you will be forgiven. And you will
spend your eternity in the kingdom of heaven.
1. Read the Holy Bible every day and pray every day.
2. Live according to God’s will written in the Holy Bible.
About two trees in the middle of garden of Eden
In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2:9b)
The tree of the knowledge of good and evil was forbidden tree which would bring death if eaten (Genesis 2:17).
Before temptation & sin,
This tree gave them following knowledge:
It is “good’ if they do not eat from the tree and it is “evil” if they eat from the tree.
After temptation & sin,
This tree gave them
experimental knowledge of ‘good’ they lost and ‘evil’ they experienced.
the independent mind to decide what is good and bad without reference to God[1].
But, the consequence of sin (disobedience to God) was death (Genesis 3:19).
If your knowledge prevents you from coming to Christ, think of whether it is because you choose independence from God and choose the tree of knowledge of good & evil instead of the tree of life.
2 Cor 10:3-6 says
3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 6 And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.
Choose life.
References
[1] Reyburn, W. D., & Fry, E. M. (1998). A handbook on Genesis (pp. 65–66). New York: United Bible Societies.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
“Come to me” (28a)
Today Jesus calls you to come to him. Who is your master? Whom do you obey? Everyone who sins is a slave to sin (John 8:34). A slave of sin is weary and burdened. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). The one who does what is sinful is of the devil (1 John 3:8).
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me” (29a)
Here “yoke” implies “master & disciple” relationship and “obedience”. Be His disciple. Learn His gentleness & humility.
“For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (30)
His ways are pleasant ways and all his paths are peace (Proverbs 3:17). When you are a disciple of Jesus, you won‘t carry the heavy burden that sin imposes.
You will be set free from sin (John 8:32). You will find ‘rest’ for your soul.
Today Jesus calls you.
Come and be his disciple.
You will find rest for your soul.
Follow Jesus even if many around you follow the world
“What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world,
yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for
their soul?” (Matthew 16:26)
Do you overlook your soul in pursuit of possession? Do not
exchange your soul with anything in the world. Your soul is
more precious than the whole universe.
Enter through the narrow gate
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and
broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter
through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that
leads to life, and only a few nd it.” (Matthew 7:13, 14)
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall
(Proverbs 16:18). Humble before God (James 4:10). Jesus is the
only way to God (John 14:6, Acts 4:12). There are many great
men but there is only one savior – the gate is narrow!
Jesus invites you to enter through the small gate & narrow road
that lead to life.
Jesus is the gate that leads to life
“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.
They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief
comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they
may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:9, 10)
Follow Jesus even if many around you follow the world.
Enter through the narrow gate
Matthew 7:7-23
Message
Jesus commands us to enter through the ‘narrow’ gate (13a). The wide gate leads to destruction and the small gate to life (13b, 14). Matthew 16:18 mentions about gates of hell. The gate of hell is wide. Many enter through it. John 10:9 says Jesus is the gate of salvation. Jesus is the narrow gate that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Step 1: Find the narrow door
Ask and it will be given to you (7a)
You ask when you know you need help from God – healing, recovery, restoration, liberation, life, forgiveness, wisdom, …
Jesus asked the 38-year invalid man “Do you want to get well?” in John 5:6. By asking this question, Jesus gave him hope & desire for healing so that he might ask for help from Jesus. We ask God when we desire life over death (Proverbs 8:35, 36). We ask God when we desire heaven over hell. We ask God when we desire soul over possession (Matthew 16:26).
Seek and you will find (7b)
When Jesus says “only a few find it”, He implies the narrow gate requires us to “seek” to “find”. Many people do not find it because they do not seek it (7b). v7b promises we will find if we seek.
Step 2: Enter through the narrow door
Knock and the door will be opened to you (7:7c)
The narrow door is the ‘door’, which may be closed. We have to open it before entering through. Jesus commands us to knock. He promises the door will be opened to us if we knock.
Agonizing struggle
Once opened, we have to enter through it. Problem is that it is hard to enter through the gate because it is narrow. So it may require agonizing effort to get through.
Agonizing struggle in prayer is shown in Luke 22:44.
44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
Watch out for false gates
See v15.
15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
Be good trees and thus bear good fruits (5 – 20). Fruits tell who you are in God than your claims or miracles (22).
v21 gives important information about entering through the narrow gate.
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Therefore, “doing the will of my Father who is in heaven” is what we have to focus on than religious appearance.
Some more info from the Holy Bible
Wealth is one of the things that make it hard for us to enter the narrow gate (Matthew 19:23 – 24, Mark 10:23 – 25).
Being like little children (humble & lowly) makes it easy for us to enter the narrow gate (Matthew 18:3, 4). The kingdom of heaven belongs to the poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3). The kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are persecuted because of righteousness (Matthew 5:10).
With the above hints, enter through the narrow gate from now on!
Another helpful biblical article
http://lifehopeandtruth.com/bible-questions/what/narrow-is-the-gate
Is anything too hard for the LORD?
Genesis 18:1 – 15
See v1 ~ 2.
1 The LORD appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. 2 Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.
The LORD appeared to Abraham through three men (1, 2a). When Abraham saw them, he hurried to meet them and bowed low to the ground (2b). Abraham recognized the presence of the LORD among three men. Abraham showed reverent fear & respect toward God.
This is why Abraham is called the father of faith. Hebrews 11:1, 2 says
1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for.
Without faith, they were strangers. By faith, they were guests from the above.
By faith, Abraham ‘knew’ the LORD’s presence with confidence & assurance. Due to the spiritual maturity over Genesis 12 to Genesis 17, he relied on what was invisible than only what was seen.
They were in need due to “the heat of the day” in Middle East, so that Abraham might be able to help them, so that their fellowship could begin naturally.
Jesus met a Samaritan woman as a needy person in John 4.
… It was about noon. 7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (John 4:8-7)
Jesus met Simon (Peter) as a needy person in Luke 5:1-11.
3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. (Luke 5:3)
See v3.
3 He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by.
Abraham humbly & sincerely requested them to drop by.
He was eager to encounter and experience God. He wanted God to remain with him so he said, “Please do not pass your servant by.” This is precisely how the church should respond when Jesus knocks to be invited in for fellowship (Matt 25:31-46; John 6:53-58; Rev 3:20; 19:7)[1]. We ought to be receptive and responsive to His visitation. God is sovereign. He does visit His people. He fulfills His plan and program. The only question is: Will He pass us by or will He come down and visit us? Typically, God only stays where He is wanted. He is not like a visiting in-law that forces his way into our home and then wears out his welcome. He wants to visit those that seek Him and desire Him. Today, can you honestly say that you long for God’s appearing [2]?
List those who need your help and at the same time who can help you in God:
Don’t let them pass by but drop by!
See v4 ~ 8.
4 Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. 5 Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.”
“Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.”
6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.”
7 Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. 8 He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree.
Here, we see that Abraham did all things described as above without approval from his family member(s). Abraham had confidence & assurance on LORD’s presence. Thus he was certain that this was the way to go. And all his family members were obedient to his leadership. Abraham was as influential as his spiritual maturity. # Note that Sarah called Abraham ‘my lord’ in v12.
Abraham’s hospitality shown here is referred as an example of ‘Golden Rule of Christianity’ written in Matthew 7:12.
12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Hebrews 13:2 says,
2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
Romans 12:13 also teaches hospitality.
13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Let us learn and practice Abraham’s hospitality!
See v9 ~ 15.
9 “Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him.
“There, in the tent,” he said.
10 Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.”
Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. 11 Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?”
13 Then the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”
15 Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.”
But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”
When Sarah heard of her giving birth to a son by next year, she laughed.
So, the LORD said
“Is anything too hard for the LORD?” (14a).
Jesus taught Almighy God in Mark 9:23.
23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
Jesus said God is almighty in His prayer in Mark 14:36.
36 “Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”
God expects us to believe Almighty God!
Do you have any promise of God that you laugh at due to seeming impossibility & unbelief?
List them here:
Let’s repent unbelief and accept his promise by faith.
References
[1] Waltke, Genesis, 271.
[2] Keith Krell, The Book of Beginnings:Genesis. A Divine Encounter. Genesis 18:1-15
