June 18, 2018

Reflections on time and life by Gary Rose

Sunrise
Sunset
A picture from the wedding scene of "Fiddler on the roof"

Click on the link below to view...


Or, use the link below...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLLEBAQLZ3Q


Now that the warmer weather has arrived to sunny Florida, I am making an effort to go to bed earlier and arise before dawn. Why would I want to do this? To beat the heat that all to soon arrives around nine in the morning, that's why!!

So, as I walked my dog Pal this morning, it was  at sunrise- and a beautiful one it was too- I wish I had brought my camera!!!   Instead, I went to the internet for a picture of a sunrise and as I did , I thought to get  one of a sunset as well (for contrast).

And as I looked at those contrasting pictures (above) I thought of a "American sign language class" that Linda and I took in the very early 80's.   A portion of the class was to learn how to "sign" the song "Sunrise, Sunset" from the  "Fiddler on the roof".

The  video is  included and a picture of the father of the bride, reflecting on the passage of time. How fast goes our life!!!  The following quote from the book of James echoes this thought!!!!


James, Chapter 4, (World English Bible)
 13  Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow let’s go into this city, and spend a year there, trade, and make a profit.”  14 Whereas you don’t know what your life will be like tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.  (emphasis added)15 For you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will both live, and do this or that.”  


And what does the  "preacher" from the book of Ecclesiastes say?


  Ecclesiastes, Chapter 11  (WEB)
8 Yes, if a man lives many years, let him rejoice in them all;
but let him remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many.
All that comes is vanity.
  9 Rejoice, young man, in your youth,
and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth,
and walk in the ways of your heart,
and in the sight of your eyes;
but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.   
(emphasis added)
  10 Therefore remove sorrow from your heart,
and put away evil from your flesh;
for youth and the dawn of life are vanity. 

And...

Ecclesiastes, Chapter 12 (WEB)
13  This is the end of the matter. All has been heard. Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man.  14 For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it is good, or whether it is evil.     (emphasis added)


Today, I  plan to reflect upon what God has done for me and  how I may show my gratitude and love for HIM! 


I hope that you will do the same!!!!

Bible Reading June 18, 19 by Gary Rose


Bible Reading June 18, 19
World English Bible


June 18
1 Samuel 29, 30

1Sa 29:1 Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek: and the Israelites encamped by the spring which is in Jezreel.
1Sa 29:2 The lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands; and David and his men passed on in the rearward with Achish.
1Sa 29:3 Then said the princes of the Philistines, What do these Hebrewshere? Achish said to the princes of the Philistines, Isn't this David, the servant of Saul the king of Israel, who has been with me these days, or rather these years, and I have found no fault in him since he fell away to me to this day?
1Sa 29:4 But the princes of the Philistines were angry with him; and the princes of the Philistines said to him, Make the man return, that he may go back to his place where you have appointed him, and let him not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he become an adversary to us: for with what should this fellow reconcile himself to his lord? should it not be with the heads of these men?
1Sa 29:5 Is not this David, of whom they sang one to another in dances, saying, Saul has slain his thousands, David his ten thousands?
1Sa 29:6 Then Achish called David, and said to him, As Yahweh lives, you have been upright, and your going out and your coming in with me in the army is good in my sight; for I have not found evil in you since the day of your coming to me to this day: nevertheless the lords don't favor you.
1Sa 29:7 Therefore now return, and go in peace, that you not displease the lords of the Philistines.
1Sa 29:8 David said to Achish, But what have I done? and what have you found in your servant so long as I have been before you to this day, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?
1Sa 29:9 Achish answered David, I know that you are good in my sight, as an angel of God: notwithstanding the princes of the Philistines have said, He shall not go up with us to the battle.
1Sa 29:10 Therefore now rise up early in the morning with the servants of your lord who have come with you; and as soon as you are up early in the morning, and have light, depart.
1Sa 29:11 So David rose up early, he and his men, to depart in the morning, to return into the land of the Philistines. The Philistines went up to Jezreel.

1Sa 30:1 It happened, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had made a raid on the South, and on Ziklag, and had struck Ziklag, and burned it with fire,
1Sa 30:2 and had taken captive the women and all who were therein, both small and great: they didn't kill any, but carried them off, and went their way.
1Sa 30:3 When David and his men came to the city, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captive.
1Sa 30:4 Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep.
1Sa 30:5 David's two wives were taken captive, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.
1Sa 30:6 David was greatly distressed; for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David strengthened himself in Yahweh his God.
1Sa 30:7 David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, Please bring me here the ephod. Abiathar brought there the ephod to David.
1Sa 30:8 David inquired of Yahweh, saying, If I pursue after this troop, shall I overtake them? He answered him, Pursue; for you shall surely overtake them, and shall without fail recover all.
1Sa 30:9 So David went, he and the six hundred men who were with him, and came to the brook Besor, where those who were left behind stayed.
1Sa 30:10 But David pursued, he and four hundred men; for two hundred stayed behind, who were so faint that they couldn't go over the brook Besor.
1Sa 30:11 They found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David, and gave him bread, and he ate; and they gave him water to drink.
1Sa 30:12 They gave him a piece of a cake of figs, and two clusters of raisins: and when he had eaten, his spirit came again to him; for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk any water, three days and three nights.
1Sa 30:13 David said to him, To whom do you belong? and where are you from? He said, I am a young man of Egypt, servant to an Amalekite; and my master left me, because three days ago I fell sick.
1Sa 30:14 We made a raid on the South of the Cherethites, and on that which belongs to Judah, and on the South of Caleb; and we burned Ziklag with fire.
1Sa 30:15 David said to him, Will you bring me down to this troop? He said, Swear to me by God, that you will neither kill me, nor deliver me up into the hands of my master, and I will bring you down to this troop.
1Sa 30:16 When he had brought him down, behold, they were spread abroad over all the ground, eating and drinking, and dancing, because of all the great spoil that they had taken out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah.
1Sa 30:17 David struck them from the twilight even to the evening of the next day: and there not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men, who rode on camels and fled.
1Sa 30:18 David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken; and David rescued his two wives.
1Sa 30:19 There was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor anything that they had taken to them: David brought back all.
1Sa 30:20 David took all the flocks and the herds, which they drove before those other livestock, and said, This is David's spoil.
1Sa 30:21 David came to the two hundred men, who were so faint that they could not follow David, whom also they had made to abide at the brook Besor; and they went forth to meet David, and to meet the people who were with him: and when David came near to the people, he greeted them.
1Sa 30:22 Then answered all the wicked men and base fellows, of those who went with David, and said, Because they didn't go with us, we will not give them anything of the spoil that we have recovered, except to every man his wife and his children, that he may lead them away, and depart.
1Sa 30:23 Then said David, You shall not do so, my brothers, with that which Yahweh has given to us, who has preserved us, and delivered the troop that came against us into our hand.
1Sa 30:24 Who will listen to you in this matter? for as his share is who goes down to the battle, so shall his share be who tarries by the baggage: they shall share alike.
1Sa 30:25 It was so from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel to this day.
1Sa 30:26 When David came to Ziklag, he sent of the spoil to the elders of Judah, even to his friends, saying, Behold, a present for you of the spoil of the enemies of Yahweh:
1Sa 30:27 To those who were in Bethel, and to those who were in Ramoth of the South, and to those who were in Jattir,
1Sa 30:28 and to those who were in Aroer, and to those who were in Siphmoth, and to those who were in Eshtemoa,
1Sa 30:29 and to those who were in Racal, and to those who were in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, and to those who were in the cities of the Kenites,
1Sa 30:30 and to those who were in Hormah, and to those who were in Borashan, and to those who were in Athach,
1Sa 30:31 and to those who were in Hebron, and to all the places where David himself and his men used to stay.

June 19
1 Samuel 31

1Sa 31:1 Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain on Mount Gilboa.
1Sa 31:2 The Philistines followed hard on Saul and on his sons; and the Philistines killed Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul.
1Sa 31:3 The battle went sore against Saul, and the archers overtook him; and he was greatly distressed by reason of the archers.
1Sa 31:4 Then said Saul to his armor bearer, Draw your sword, and thrust me through therewith, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armor bearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took his sword, and fell on it.
1Sa 31:5 When his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, he likewise fell on his sword, and died with him.
1Sa 31:6 So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armor bearer, and all his men, that same day together.
1Sa 31:7 When the men of Israel who were on the other side of the valley, and those who were beyond the Jordan, saw that the men of Israel fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook the cities, and fled; and the Philistines came and lived in them.
1Sa 31:8 It happened on the next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa.
1Sa 31:9 They cut off his head, and stripped off his armor, and sent into the land of the Philistines all around, to carry the news to the house of their idols, and to the people.
1Sa 31:10 They put his armor in the house of the Ashtaroth; and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth Shan.
1Sa 31:11 When the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead heard concerning him that which the Philistines had done to Saul,
1Sa 31:12 all the valiant men arose, and went all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth Shan; and they came to Jabesh, and burnt them there.
1Sa 31:13 They took their bones, and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.


Jun. 17, 18
John 17

Joh 17:1 Jesus said these things, and lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may also glorify you;
Joh 17:2 even as you gave him authority over all flesh, he will give eternal life to all whom you have given him.
Joh 17:3 This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ.
Joh 17:4 I glorified you on the earth. I have accomplished the work which you have given me to do.
Joh 17:5 Now, Father, glorify me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world existed.
Joh 17:6 I revealed your name to the people whom you have given me out of the world. They were yours, and you have given them to me. They have kept your word.
Joh 17:7 Now they have known that all things whatever you have given me are from you,
Joh 17:8 for the words which you have given me I have given to them, and they received them, and knew for sure that I came forth from you, and they have believed that you sent me.
Joh 17:9 I pray for them. I don't pray for the world, but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.
Joh 17:10 All things that are mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.
Joh 17:11 I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them through your name which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are.
Joh 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name. Those whom you have given me I have kept. None of them is lost, except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.
Joh 17:13 But now I come to you, and I say these things in the world, that they may have my joy made full in themselves.
Joh 17:14 I have given them your word. The world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Joh 17:15 I pray not that you would take them from the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one.
Joh 17:16 They are not of the world even as I am not of the world.
Joh 17:17 Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth.
Joh 17:18 As you sent me into the world, even so I have sent them into the world.
Joh 17:19 For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.
Joh 17:20 Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who believe in me through their word,
Joh 17:21 that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that you sent me.
Joh 17:22 The glory which you have given me, I have given to them; that they may be one, even as we are one;
Joh 17:23 I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that you sent me, and loved them, even as you loved me.
Joh 17:24 Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me be with me where I am, that they may see my glory, which you have given me, for you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Joh 17:25 Righteous Father, the world hasn't known you, but I knew you; and these knew that you sent me.
Joh 17:26 I made known to them your name, and will make it known; that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I in them."

Jun. 19, 20
John 18

Joh 18:1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples over the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, into which he and his disciples entered.
Joh 18:2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples.
Joh 18:3 Judas then, having taken a detachment of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.
Joh 18:4 Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were happening to him, went forth, and said to them, "Who are you looking for?"
Joh 18:5 They answered him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am he." Judas also, who betrayed him, was standing with them.
Joh 18:6 When therefore he said to them, "I am he," they went backward, and fell to the ground.
Joh 18:7 Again therefore he asked them, "Who are you looking for?" They said, "Jesus of Nazareth."
Joh 18:8 Jesus answered, "I told you that I am he. If therefore you seek me, let these go their way,"
Joh 18:9 that the word might be fulfilled which he spoke, "Of those whom you have given me, I have lost none."
Joh 18:10 Simon Peter therefore, having a sword, drew it, and struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
Joh 18:11 Jesus therefore said to Peter, "Put the sword into its sheath. The cup which the Father has given me, shall I not surely drink it?"
Joh 18:12 So the detachment, the commanding officer, and the officers of the Jews, seized Jesus and bound him,
Joh 18:13 and led him to Annas first, for he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.
Joh 18:14 Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should perish for the people.
Joh 18:15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, as did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and entered in with Jesus into the court of the high priest;
Joh 18:16 but Peter was standing at the door outside. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought in Peter.
Joh 18:17 Then the maid who kept the door said to Peter, "Are you also one of this man's disciples?" He said, "I am not."
Joh 18:18 Now the servants and the officers were standing there, having made a fire of coals, for it was cold. They were warming themselves. Peter was with them, standing and warming himself.
Joh 18:19 The high priest therefore asked Jesus about his disciples, and about his teaching.
Joh 18:20 Jesus answered him, "I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues, and in the temple, where the Jews always meet. I said nothing in secret.
Joh 18:21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them. Behold, these know the things which I said."
Joh 18:22 When he had said this, one of the officers standing by slapped Jesus with his hand, saying, "Do you answer the high priest like that?"
Joh 18:23 Jesus answered him, "If I have spoken evil, testify of the evil; but if well, why do you beat me?"
Joh 18:24 Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas, the high priest.
Joh 18:25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said therefore to him, "You aren't also one of his disciples, are you?" He denied it, and said, "I am not."
Joh 18:26 One of the servants of the high priest, being a relative of him whose ear Peter had cut off, said, "Didn't I see you in the garden with him?"
Joh 18:27 Peter therefore denied it again, and immediately the rooster crowed.
Joh 18:28 They led Jesus therefore from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. It was early, and they themselves didn't enter into the Praetorium, that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Passover.
Joh 18:29 Pilate therefore went out to them, and said, "What accusation do you bring against this man?"
Joh 18:30 They answered him, "If this man weren't an evildoer, we wouldn't have delivered him up to you."
Joh 18:31 Pilate therefore said to them, "Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law." Therefore the Jews said to him, "It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,"
Joh 18:32 that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spoke, signifying by what kind of death he should die.
Joh 18:33 Pilate therefore entered again into the Praetorium, called Jesus, and said to him, "Are you the King of the Jews?"
Joh 18:34 Jesus answered him, "Do you say this by yourself, or did others tell you about me?"
Joh 18:35 Pilate answered, "I'm not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered you to me. What have you done?"
Joh 18:36 Jesus answered, "My Kingdom is not of this world. If my Kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I wouldn't be delivered to the Jews. But now my Kingdom is not from here."
Joh 18:37 Pilate therefore said to him, "Are you a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this reason I have been born, and for this reason I have come into the world, that I should testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice."
Joh 18:38 Pilate said to him, "What is truth?" When he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, "I find no basis for a charge against him.
Joh 18:39 But you have a custom, that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Therefore do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?"
Joh 18:40 Then they all shouted again, saying, "Not this man, but Barabbas!" Now Barabbas was a robber.

Is My Natural Force Abated? by J. C. Bailey


http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Bailey/John/Carlos/1903/Articles/ismynatu.html

Is My Natural Force Abated?

I was 88 on my last birthday. It was said of Moses at 120 that his natural force was not abated. On the other hand, Paul was probably not 70 years of age when he referred to himself as Paul the aged (Philemon 9).
No one knows what it was, but Paul said there was given him a thorn in the flesh to buffet him. Although we do not know what it was, we do know that he asked the Lord three times to take it away. The Lord said, "No!" The Lord laid down here a very important thing for us to remember: "My grace is sufficient for thee, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Paul had very important work to do. He was confident that he would have help to do that work. The Lord had called Paul to His work. Paul says, "For which cause I suffer these things; yet I am not ashamed, for I know him whom I have believed and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day" (2 Timothy 1:12).
For years I have had a thorn in the flesh. One of the arteries that feeds blood to the brain is partially closed. I do not know why, but it gets more closed. It causes me deep trouble. It has put me in the hospital many times. I have besought the Lord, many others have besought the Lord, but apparently, with Paul, I can say His strength is made perfect in my weakness.
One of the worst spells I have had was the last week in August. They took me to the hospital in an ambulance. I was still in the hospital on my birthday, September 13.
About this time, my brother developed pains in his head. The x-ray showed a brain tumour. It was cancerous. On November 22, he passed to his eternal reward. I was able to attend his funeral.
I eat well, I sleep well, but my head bothers me all the time. There is no pain, but I get up with difficulty and I have a sensation of falling at all times.
For quite a number of years, people have said that I should not try to make the trips to India. Some years ago I asked the local church for money for my travel, but they refused and said they did not think I was able to make the trip. Some years ago, brother Trotter was so sure that I should not make the trip that he said to me, "That ticket can still be cancelled."
Last August, when I was lying on the floor waiting for them to come and load me in the ambulance, I concluded that the Lord has said "no" enough times to the request to take this trouble away from my head.
So, my dear brethren, you must look to the Lord for help. Others will come and are coming, but the important thing is that they can say, "I can do all things in Him that strengtheneth me!" We are told of that great cloud of witnesses that by faith triumphed (Hebrews 12:1). Will you be one of that triumphant band?
J. C. Bailey, 1992, Bengough, Saskatchewan


Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)

DOES ANY OF THIS MATTER? by Jim McGuiggan

https://jimmcguiggan.wordpress.com/2017/12/

DOES ANY OF THIS MATTER? 

Do you sometimes think you could have lived your life without sinning? Whenever it first happened that you sinned, why do you think you did? Do you ever think that Adam and Eve were the only ones to get a clear shot at not sinning? Do you ever think that it’s somehow unfair if God judged us as if we were Adam and Eve if Adam and Eve had a better shot as living sinlessly than we their descendants do?
Do people who have been raised in a loving and wise home and who have plenty of the fine things that make life pleasing—do they have an advantage over the oppressed who live in unchanging squalor, an advantage to live without bitterness or resentment and in cheerfulness; do they have an advantage to live uprightly? If so, does God know that? Does that shape His view in the area of judging people?
Do people who have been privileged to have a deeper understanding about God’s sense of what is righteous and what is evil—do they have an advantage when it comes to fighting against unrighteousness within them? Do people who have been privileged to know that God loves them and seeks to enrich their lives in all the lovely ways that life can be enriched; do they have a moral/spiritual advantage over those who are destitute of such wondrous truth? Does living in a setting filled with encouragement to living nobly and having a network of friends who embody that kind of living give people an edge—does it give them an advantage over those who live where corruption, intimidation and godlessness reign?
When we see a boy or a girl raised in a godly, loving and wise home and richly blessed with the social and economic blessings that make life comfortable—are we (at least) surprised or perhaps shocked if they turn out to be very wicked? Why is that?
When we see a young man or woman raised by corrupt and brutal parents in a ghetto of violence and filth—when we see such a one become a person of moral beauty and uprightness are we happily astonished? Why is that?
Does God see that? Is He astonished? (If Jesus is the self-revelation of God as a human, does His astonishment at the warm faith and trust of the centurion in Luke 7 say anything about God? What does it imply that Jesus was astonished?)
1. Does any of the above make any difference to anything?2. Does it come down to this: Some of us are “lucky” to be born in the right place to the right people in the right set of circumstances in the right age and others are “unlucky” not to be?
3. Should we conclude that all the “unlucky” will be eternally punished but some more than others? If we conclude that are we not faced with perplexity and does good or bad “luck” determine the destiny of the vast majority of the human family in all ages?
4. Should we simply dismiss all such questions and say, something like, “We don’t need to trouble ourselves with such questions. God will do what’s right at the final judgment.”?
5. If we do that, have we any gospel truth to announce about the “unlucky” majority of the powerless of the ages?

Fear God & Keep His Commandments by Alfred Shannon Jr.

https://biblicalproof.wordpress.com/2011/04/page/4/


The only fear, we truly have to fear, is Almighty God. To know God, is to fear the One who has the power to cast both body, and soul in hell. When we learn to fear God, we also learn to keep his commandments, and in turn we gain both wisdom and knowledge, and life everlasting.
Deut 6:2; Deut 10:12-13; Mt 10:28; Ps 11:10; Prov 1:7; Ecc; 12:13; 1 Pet 2:17; 2 Cor 5:11; Heb 10:31

Warnings That Jesus Leaves Us with as He concludes His Sermon On the Mt by Ben Fronczek

http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?p=630


Warnings That Jesus Leaves Us with as He concludes His Sermon On the Mt

Jesus’ Stern Warnings – By Ben Fronczek
Since the beginning of the year I have been sharing lessons from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. It is my favorite sermons in all the Bible because it is full wisdom as spoken by God the Son.
I would like to give a brief review of what we looked at in this sermon so far before I conclude this series of lessons today.  First of all in  Matthew 5:1-12  
●He began with the beatitudes, or attitudes we should adopt a disciples.
– Blessed those who are humble, or poor in spirit.
– Blessed are those who grieve or mourn especially over sinful behavior.
– Blessed are those who are gentle, or meek.
– Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after God’s righteousness.
– Blessed are those who are merciful, pure, and those who are peacemakers.
– Even blessed are those who are persecuted for doing right, or standing up for Jesus.
●He tells us that such individuals are the salt of the earth, and they can have an effect on those around them. They are also the light of the world, and can open eyes and show others the way.  (5:13-16)
●In Verse 5:20, He told those people and I believe us as well, that unless their righteousness surpasses that of the show off, hypocritical Pharisees and teachers of the Law they would not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
●In  5:21-26, He said that we should not let our anger get out of control and that we are to be careful not to insult others. And in vs. 25, He said that we should make things right with those we offend us or have trouble with.
●In vss 27-30, He said not to do anything that may cause you to be thrown into hell; even if it means cutting off your hand or plucking out your eyes. No temptation is worth losing your life over and ending up in hell.
●In 33-37, He said to keep our oaths and promises that we make.
●And then in verses 38-43, He said that we should to be the kind of people that go the 2nd mile, even if means helping our enemy, which includes praying for them.
In chapter 6, Jesus goes on to say that we should be generous and give unto others but not to be like the show off and hypocrites in doing so. (1-4)
●In verses 5, and followings, Jesus also said that we should pray, and as we do so we should not pray like those show offs and hypocrites as well.
●Starting in verse 16, He also said that we should fast, but likewise not in a way that draws attention to our self.
●Starting in verse 19, He tells them not to be greedy and only store up treasure on earth where moths and rust destroy and thieves steal, but rather store up treasure that will last. Store up treasure in Heaven.
●In verses 25, to the end of chapter 6 Jesus tells us to stop worrying so much about stuff and what we think we need. But rather, we should seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness and God Himself will take care of the needs that we have.
Then finally in Chapter 7:1-6, Jesus begins by telling us to be careful how we Judge others. We should also be careful and wise not to give away that which is precious to those who could care less about those things.
●In verse 7-11, He tells us to talk to God, and to ask, seek, and knock if you need something. He lets us know that God is even more caring and able to meet those needs than our earthly fathers.
●And then in the last lesson, in 7:12, Jesus lets us know that since God is so willing to bless us, that we also should do unto others what we would want them to do unto us; (which is otherwise known as the Golden Rule) in doing so we fulfill the law and the prophets.
Now that was a quick summary of the instructions that Jesus gave in the Sermon on the Mount. But then Jesus concludes with some warnings which we will briefly look at today.
Now look at how Jesus concludes His sermon here:
#1. He warns those who hear and read His words, that it is important to get on the right path. Read 7:13-14
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. “
Here Jesus lets us know that there are ultimately two paths one can take;  a wide well traveled one, which the majority takes and leads to destruction, and the narrow path, which few take and leads to life. He is warning us to make sure we are on the right path.
#2. Jesus lets us know why so many are on the wrong path which leads to destruction. He warns us that we should be careful who we listen to and follow. Read 7:15-20   “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”
 Now today we don’t have many people going around claiming to be prophets, but there are those who would like to convince you to do this or that, or even accept that which is evil as something acceptable and ok. (eg. Oh it’s ok to abort or kill unborn babies, it’s ok to sleep around. Or it’s ok to tell little white lies, smoke pot,  or a hundred and one other things people seem to indicate that are now acceptable)
If God Himself indicates something is wrong and sinful then it is wrong no matter what anyone says. Jesus lets us know how we will recognize these false prophets who will try to trip us up. He said that you will recognize them by the fruit they bear. So if you have someone who is trying to counsel you to do this or that and his life is a mess and you know what he is saying is contrary to God’s word, watch out and be careful.
And then we have an eye opening statement that Jesus makes concerning who will be in Heaven…
#3. Read 7:21-23  “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. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
First of all notice what He said, “Not everyone.”
Now there are those who seriously believe that all, everyone is going to make it into heaven. The term that describes this philosophy is called Universalism. Those who accept this philosophy believe that all will eventually be reconciled to God, without exception. They believe that the penalty for sin is not everlasting, and they reject the teachings concerning everlasting damnation to hell, and, that all souls will ultimately be conformed to the image of divine perfection in Christ. This is taught by many of the Unitarian churches as well as some other groups.
But is that what Jesus said here? He said, 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.”
First of all he said“Not everyone” and then He says “but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven.”
This is exactly what Jesus warned them about in His last statement when He said not to listen to false prophets or those who teach contrary to what God, Jesus, or the Bible teaches. You will be led down the wrong path. That’s why it is so very important to read, study and actually know for yourself what God said, in His word, and what He wants and expects from us.
He said, ‘Only the ones who do the will of my father will enter the kingdom of heaven.’
It is reported that there are about 38,000 different Christian denominations world wide (http://christianity.about.com/od/denominations/p/christiantoday.htm).
I am sure many of them teach the same things, but why so many factions?     I believe it’s because there aren’t enough people in the pews who really know what God wants and expects. They haven’t for whatever reason read and studied God’s word for themselves enough to determine whether they are being duped by a divisive preacher, false prophet, or error plagued church leadership.
Do you remember the Bereans in Acts 17? In verses 11 & 12 it says, 11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.”
The Bereans didn’t trust anything but God’s word. They did not trust another man’s word nor human traditions. Likewise, we should be of the same character. We need to read God’s word for our self and then do what it says. That’s what Jesus is telling us to do here. And so when people come to us and ask, why do you do such and such at your church, we can give them the answer, “We do what we do because we can read it right here in the God’s word, the Bible.”
#4. Jesus closes His sermon by telling the people that they not only needed to listen to what He was saying, but to do what it said. By doing so they could prevent themselves from getting swept away in a flood of misinformation.  Read 7:24-29.
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.”
What about you? How well do you know God’s word?
The Bible is a book that can fill your life with great blessings. We live in a time of great learning, yet how many of us really know and understand what God almighty want and expects of us? Isn’t our eternal soul worth the investment of time and effort to learn for ourself what God wants?
Don’t let anyone lead you down that wide road and through that big wide gate that Jesus talked about in this lesson. Don’t live a life of ignorance. Don’t let someone convince you that you can’t understand the Bible, they are wrong. It has been perserved so that we read for ourself and know what his will is.
I challenge you, if you have not read the Bible, especially the New Testament to read it carefully and learn how God wants to bless you.
For more lessons click on the following link: http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?page_id=566