WHEN RELIGIOUS LEADERS REBEL

Newsletter 228                  V                      January 14, 2011

One needs only flip through the pages of history, or even the Bible, or today, even a newspaper, to realize that sincerity does not necessarily result in finding the truth. When we lived in Lewisville on a short dead-end street at the edge of the city, a number of people sought us following the directions of electronic navigation only to find that the roads have been changed and now even eliminated entirely. After turning the wrong direction, I have learned not to rely on my own instincts as to which direction I am driving.

In spiritual matters, more is at risk. Even greater care must be taken. Many a supposed authorities has been followed, with tragic results. Consider Mary Baker Eddie, Joseph Smith, and any number of others. They, possibly, are many of them sincere in their belief, but they can not all be right. In fact they may all be wrong. Widen the field, and consider Constantine, the Crusades, the Inquisition, the religious persecutions that motivated massive numbers moving to the “New World” in our own history. Then consider, the Eastern religions, Hinduism, Islam, and such like. They are incompatible with one another. They can not all be right.

But there is one standard, not originating of man, but of God. It’s prophesies are fulfilled, it’s messengers thus confirmed, and it’s message to be truth. It’s followers are known by their love for one another and for mankind, even their would be enemies. Our lesson today includes a quotation from one of those prophets. Matthew quotes from Isaiah, prophesies in reference to the Messiah, Jesus the Son of God.

Matthew 12:14-21 (King James Version)

14 Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. (Matthew 26:4, Mark 14:1Luke 22:2, John 7:30, John 7:44, John 8:59, John 10:31, John 10:39, John 11:53)

The Jewish nation considered the Pharisees to be their unquestioned authority in matters of religion, yet the Son of God clashed with them again and again. Why? Because their personal religion was a sham. They knew God’s law, and the prophecies, but, in today’s world, we would say that they considered themselves above the law, (hypocrisy), and they interpreted the prophecies, being fulfilled right before their very eyes, wrongly. They wanted a material, political, Messiah. If he provided their every need, so much the better.

15 But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all; (Matthew 4:23)

He withdrew from them for they were trying to force the very things he had rejected during Satan’s temptations in the wilderness. They wanted food, a miraculous leader, and freedom from the hated Romans, but leaving their religion alone.

He performed his miracles as proof that he is the Son of God, as the prophets had told them. His is a Spiritual kingdom readily accepted by the Gentile, non-Jewish world. (verse 18 and 21)

16 And charged them that they should not make him known: (Matthew 6:4, Matthew 9:30, Matthew 17:9)

17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, (Isaiah 42:1-4)

18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall show judgment to the Gentiles. (Isaiah 42:1, Matthew 3:17, Matthew 17:5, Luke 4:18, John 3:34)
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19 He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. (Isaiah 42:2)

20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory. (Isaiah 42:3)

21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust. (Romans 15:12)

When its religious leaders rebel against God, the world is the loser. Know the truth and the truth shall make you free.



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RESOLVE TO READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2011
                                         
JANUARY

16th. Sunday – Genesis 32, 33, Matthew 12:22-50, Proverbs 2:1-11
17th. Monday – Genesis 34, 35, Matthew 13:1-23, Psalm 10:1-11
18th. Tuesday – Genesis 36, 37, Matthew 13:24-43 Psalm 10:12-18
19th. Wednesday-- Genesis 38, 39, 40, Matthew 13:44-58, Psalm 11
20th. Thursday - Genesis 41, Matthew 14:1-21, Proverbs 2:12-22
21st. Friday –  Genesis 42, 43, Matthew 14:22-36, Psalm 12
22nd. Saturday-- Genesis 44, 45, Matthew 15:1-20, Psalm 13

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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

“…strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
Matthew 7:14
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Legal Semantics...

A lawyer runs a stop sign and gets pulled over by a sheriff's deputy. He thinks that he is smarter than the deputy because he is sure that he has a better education.

He decides to prove this to himself and have some fun at the deputy's expense...deputy says, "License and registration, please."

Lawyer says, "What for?"

Deputy says, "You didn't come to a complete stop at the stop sign ..."

Lawyer says, "I slowed down, and no one was coming."
Deputy says, "You still didn't come to a complete stop. License and registration, please."
Lawyer says, "What's the difference?"
Deputy says, "The difference is, you have to come to a complete stop, that's the law. License and registration, please!"

Lawyer says, "If you can show me the legal difference between slow down and stop, I'll give you my license and registration and you give me the ticket, if not you let me go and no ticket."

Deputy says, "Exit your vehicle, sir." At this point, the deputy takes off his gloves and starts slapping the lawyer and says, "Do you want me to stop or just slow down?"