Newsletter 343 April 14, 2013
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HYPOCRISY
Luke 12:2-12
1. Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
Jesus had frequent encounters with the Pharisees, and here warns against the in teaching. Why? Because their faith was false, and their teachings were like leaven, something that seemed so innocent, but in time spread everywhere and took over. The software I am using has a, sidebar, a parallel column, which does a research on the major words I have just typed. It defines “hypocrisy as the state of pretending to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, that one does not actually have.” As an example, the young man Saul of Tarsus was a Pharisee whose false zeal was so strong that he led in a crusade to destroy all Christians. He had participated in the stoning of Stephen, and carrying letters from the high priest, was on the road to Damascus for that purpose, when the Lord intervened. It is a mistake to say that he was converted on the road to Damascus, but the Lord certainly stopped him, and told him to go on to Damascus where he would be told what he must do. As a stunned, and blinded young man, he was led the rest of the way, and in Damascus he became a Christian himself. In time he came to be known as Paul, and became a powerful evangelist to the Gentiles and the author of much of the New Testament.
(Matthew 16:6, Matthew 16:11, Mark 8:15)
2. For there is nothing covered, which shall not be revealed; neither hid that shall not be known.
We fool ourselves when we believe that we are hiding anything at all from God. The pedafile who hides under the cloak of pretended religion, is not fooling the Lord, He even knows our idle thoughts, and certainly our use of time. All this will be revealed at the judgement if we have not let him cleanse our sins away.
(Luke 12:2-90, Matthew 10:26-33, Matthew 10:26, Mark 4:22, Luke 8:17)
3. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.
Writers of fiction often speak of “pillowtalk” as a means of gaining information. Even our most intimate conversations are not secret from him.
(Matthew 10:27, Matthew 24:17)
4. And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
4. And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
(John 15:13-15)
5. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him. which after he hath killed hath power to cast you into hell, yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
Because God is who he is, all powerful, the scope of the creation account is proof of that. Just really open your eyes and see the creation, from a one cell amoeba, to the complexity of the human body, Add to that the love of the creator for his creation, made in his own likeness. Add the purity, of heaven. And it is eternal, without end. One can only stand in awe if he realizes this. This a fear, that one may not be pleasing, but God cared for that through his own Son, giving us a constant reminder, if we gather together every week to partake of the communion memorial service. Fear him, that is give him first place in your life, respect the Creator.
(Hebrews 10:31, Matthew 5:22)
6. Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?
He cares for, even the little sparrow.
(Matthew 10:29)
7. But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
He cares enough about you to know all there is to know. He knew how many hairs you had as a little baby, how many you have lost, and how many are left. But he knows other things and takes precaution about them. He knew my wife had a tumor long before we learned it, and put us into the hands of a surgeon who took care of it before it became cancerous. Why? Because he had something for us to do in Texas. If a move is forced upon you for some reason, perhaps God has a job for you to do where he sends you. Accept the transfer, and look an opportunity to serve. It will be there.
(Matthew 10:30)
8. Do as I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God.
Think of him as your proud father in the same way he did of Job to the angel Satan, before his fall.
(Matthew 10:32, Luke 15:10, Romans 10:9)
9. But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.
Sad it is but many, probably the majority, deny the existence of God.
(Matthew 10:33, Luke 9:26, Luke 15:10)
10. And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.
Here is the “unforgivable sin.” Some say it is suicide, but most suicides are the result of mental illnesses. Gof simply will not tolerate the Holy Spirit to be spoken against.
(Matthew 12:31, Matthew 12:32, Mark 3:28-30)
11. And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say:
During the last few days before the Lord’s return, we can expect Christianity to be under persecution by those of the world, Satan’s driven lost souls. Have you never noticed. it is darkest just before the dawn? “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him. (Satan) whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Revelation 13:8 “And he (Satan) causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or on their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the bast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom, Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.” Revelation 13:16-18. I have always felt that this marks when the Book of Life shall be closed, and he shall come to use it for the Judgement Day.
12. For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.
(Matthew 10:20, Luke 21:15)
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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH THIS YEAR
APRIL
14th Sunday - Deuteronomy 32, Luke 16, Proverbs 9:13-18
15th Monday - Deuteronomy 33, 34, Luke 17, Psalm 45:10-17
16th Tuesday - Joshua 1, Luke 18:1-17 Psalm 46
17th Wednesday - Joshua 2, Luke 18:18-43, Psalm 47:1-9
18th Thursday - Joshua 4, 5, Luke 19:1-27, Proverbs 10:1-10
19th Friday - Joshua 6, 7, Luke 19:28-48, Psalm 48
20th Saturday - Joshua 8, 9, Luke 20:1-26, Psalm 49:1-10
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LINKS TO OUR CHRISTIAN BLOGS
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THE MEMORY VERSE FOR TODAY
“This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for the many for the remission of sins.” - Matthew 26:28
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ONE LINER
A conservative thinks children ought to pray in school; a liberal thinks children ought to ride a bus to school; and a moderate thinks children ought to pray on the bus.
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