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WHAT IS A CHRONOLOGICAL 4 GOSPEL BIBLE?
The Chronological 4 Gospels are the accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, with a few verses from Acts and 1st Corinthians, combined in chronological form. This enables a person to read and study all four as a unit. One can read Matthew’s account of an event, and then read the same event in the other accounts. There are certain events that are only presented in one or two, but others are presented in all 4. A student of the Bible can now read and study how and when all the events occurred in relation to each other. Thus, a person’s knowledge and understanding of God’s Word should increase as the Holy Spirit gives the understanding. |
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Page 721 Mt 9:1. Mk 2:1 Mk 2:2. Lk 5:17. Page 722 Mt 9:2 (pt 1), ref Mk 2:3 (pt 1), Lk 5:18 (pt 1). Mt 9:2 (pt 2), ref Mk 2:3 (pt 2), Lk 5:18 (pt 3). Mt 9:2 (pt 3). Mt 9:2 (pt 4), ref Lk 5:18 (pt 2). Mk 2:3 (pt 3). Lk 5:18 (pt 4). Lk 5:19 (pt 1). Mk 2:4 (pt 2), ref Lk 5:19 (pt 2). Lk 5:19 (pt 3). Mk 2:4 (pt 3). Lk 5:19 (pt 4). Mt 9:2 (pt 5), ref Mk 2:5 (pt 1), Lk 5:20 (pt 1). Page 723 Lk 5:20 (pt 2). Mt 9:2 (pt 7), ref Mk 2:5 (pt 3). Mt 9:2 (pt 8). Mt 9:2 (pt 9), ref Mk 2:5 (pt 4), Lk 5:20 (pt 4). Mt 9:3 (pt 1), ref Mk 2:6 (pt 1). Mt 9:3 (pt 2). Mk 2:6 (pt 2). Mt 9:3 (pt 3), ref Mk 2:6 (pt 3), Lk 5:21 (pt 1). Lk 5:21 (pt 2). Mk 2:6 (pt 4). Lk 5:21 (pt 3). Mk 2:6 (pt 5). Mt 9:3 (pt 4). Page 724 Mk 2:7 (pt 1). Lk 5:21 (pt 4). Mk 2:7 (pt 2), ref Lk 5:21 (pt 5). Mt 9:4 (pt 1), ref Mk 2:8 (pt 1), Lk 5:22 (pt 1). Mk 2:8 (pt 2). Mk 2:8 (pt 3), ref Lk 5:22 (pt 2). Mk 2:8 (pt 4), ref Mt 9:4 (pt 2), Lk 5:22 (pt 3). Mk 2:8 (pt 5). Lk 5:22 (pt 4). Mt 9:4 (pt 3). Mk 2:8 (pt 6). Mk 2:8 (pt 7), ref Lk 5:22 (pt 5). Lk 5:22 (pt 6). Mt 9:4 (pt 4), ref Mk 2:8 (pt 8), Lk 5:22 (pt 7). Mk 2:8 (pt 9), ref Lk 5:22 (pt 8). Page 725 Mt 9:4 (pt 5), ref Mk 2:8 (pt 10), Lk 5:22 (pt 9). Mk 2:8 (pt 11). Mt 9:4 (pt 6). Mt 9:4 (pt 7), ref Mk 2:8 (pt 12), Lk 5:22 (pt 10). Mt 9:5 (pt 1), ref Mk 2:9 (pt 1), Lk 5:23 (pt 1). Mk 2:9 (pt 2). Mt 9:5 (pt 2), ref Mk 2:9 (pt 3), Lk 5:23 (pt 2). Mk 2:9 (pt 4). Mt 9:5 (pt 3), ref Mk 2:9 (pt 5), Lk 5:23 (pt 3). Mt 9:6 (pt 1), ref Mk 2:10, Lk 5:24 (pt 1). Mk 2:11 (pt 1), ref Lk 5:24 (pt 2). Mt 9:6 (pt 2), ref Mk 2:11 (pt 2), Lk 5:24 (pt 3). Page 726 Mt 9:7 (pt 1), ref Mk 2:12 (pt 1), Lk 5:24 (pt 1). Mk 2:12 (pt2), ref Lk 5:24 (pt 2). Mt 9:7 (pt 2), ref Mk 2:12 (pt 3), Lk 5:25 (pt 3). Lk 5:25 (pt 4). Mk 2:12 (pt 4), ref Lk 5:25 (pt 6). Lk 5:25 (pt 7). Mk 2:12 (pt 5). Mt 9:7 (pt 3), ref Lk 5:25 (pt 8). Mk 2:12 (pt 6). Mt 9:7 (pt 4), ref Lk 5:25 (pt 9). Lk 5:25 (pt 10). Mt 9:7 (pt 5), ref Lk 5:25 (pt 11). Lk 5:25 (pt 12). Mt 9:8 (pt 1). Lk 5:26 (pt 1). Mk 2:12 (pt 7). Mk 2:12 (pt 8), ref Lk 5:26 (pt 2). Mt 9:8 (pt 2), ref Mk 2:12 (pt 9), Lk 5:26 (pt 3). Page 727 Mk 2:12 (pt 10), ref Lk 5:26 (pt 4). Mt 9:8 (pt 3), ref Mk 2:12 (pt 11), Lk 5:26 (pt 5). Mt 9:8 (pt 4). Lk 5:26 (pt 6). Mk 2:12 (pt 12), ref Lk 5:26 (pt 7). Mk 2:12 (pt 13). Lk 5:26 (pt 8). Mk 2:13. Lk 5:27 (pt 1). Mt 9:9 (pt 1). Mk 2:14 (pt 1). Mt 9:9 (pt 2), ref Mk 2:14 (pt 2), Lk 5:27 (pt 2). Page 728 Mt 9:9 (pt 3), ref Lk 5:27 (pt 3). Mt 9:9 (pt 4). Lk 5:27 (pt 4), ref Mk 2:14 (pt 3). Mk 2:14 (pt 4). Mt 9:9 (pt 5), ref Mk 2:14 (pt 5), Lk 5:27 (pt 5). Lk 5:28 (pt 1). Mt 9:9 (pt 6), ref Mk 2:14 (pt 6), Lk 5:28 (pt 2). Lk 5:29 (pt 1). Mt 9:10 (pt 1), ref Mk 2:15 (pt 1). Lk 5:29 (pt 2). Mt 9:10 (pt 2). Lk 5:29 (pt 3). Mt 9:10 (pt 3). Lk 5:29 (pt 4). Mt 9:10 (pt 4), ref Mk 2:15 (pt 3), Lk 5:29 (pt 5). Mt 9:10 (pt 5), ref Mk 2:15 (pt 4). Lk 5:29 (pt 6). Page 729 Mt 9:10 (pt 6). Mt 9:10 (pt 7), ref Mk 2:15 (pt 3), Lk 5:29 (pt 7). Mt 9:10 (pt 8), ref Lk 5:29 (pt 8). Mk 2:15 (pt 4). Lk 5:29 (pt 9). Mt 9:10 (pt 9), ref Mk 2:15 (pt 5). Mk 2:15 (pt 6). Mt 9:11 (pt 1), ref Mk 2:16 (pt 1). Mk 2:16 (pt 2). Mt 9:11 (pt 2), ref Mk 2:16 (pt 3). Mt 9:11 (pt 3). Mk 2:16 (pt 4). Lk 5:30 (pt 1). Mt 9:11 (pt 4), ref Mk 2:16 (pt 5), Lk 5:30 (pt 2). Mt 9:11 (pt 5), ref Mk 2:16 (pt 6). Page730 Mk 2:16 (pt 5). Mt 9:11 (pt 6), ref Mk 2:16 (pt 8). Lk 5:30 (pt 3). Mt 9:12 (pt 1), ref Mk 2:17 (pt 1). Mt 9:12 (pt 2), ref Mk 2:17 (pt 2). Mt 9:13 (pt 1). Mt 9:13 (pt 2), ref Mk 2:17 (pt 3), Lk 5:32. Page 731 Mk 2:18 (pt 1). Mt 9:14 (pt 1). Mk 2:18 (pt 2). Mt 9:14 (pt 2), ref Mk 2:18 (pt 3). Mk 2:18 (pt 4), ref Lk 5:33 (pt 1). Lk 5:33 (pt 2). Mt 9:14 (pt 4). Lk 5:33 (pt 3), ref Mt 9:14, Mk 2:18 (pt 5). Mt 9:14 (pt 3), ref Lk 5:33 (pt 4). Mk 2:18 (pt 6). Mt 9:14 (pt 6), ref Mk 2:18 (pt 7), Lk 5:33 (pt 5). Mt 9:14 (pt 7). Mk 2:18 (pt 8), ref Lk 5:33 (pt 6). Lk 5:33 (pt 6). Mt 9:14 (pt 8), ref Mk 2:18 (pt 9), Lk 5:33 (pt 7). Page 732 Lk 5:33 (pt 8). Mk 2:18 (pt 10), ref Lk 5:33 (pt 9). Mt 9:14 (pt 9), ref Mk 2:18 (pt 11), Lk 5:33 (pt 10). Mt 9:14 (pt 10), ref Mk 2:18 (pt 12). Mt 9:14 (pt 11). Mt 9:14 (pt 12), ref Mk 2:18 (pt 13). Lk 5:33 (pt 11). Mt 9:15 (pt 1), ref Mk 2:19 (pt 1), Lk 5:34 (pt 1). Mt 9:15 (pt 2). Mk 2:19 (pt 2), ref Lk 5:34 (pt 2). Mt 9:15 (pt 3). Mk 2:19 (pt 3), ref Lk 5:34 (pt 3). Mt 9:15 (pt 4), ref Mk 2:19 (pt 4), Lk 5:34 (pt 4). Mk 2:19 (pt 5). Page 733 Mt 9:15 (pt 5), ref Mk 2:20 (pt 1), Lk 5:35 (pt 1). Mk 2:20 (pt 2), ref Lk 5:35 (pt 2). Lk 5:36 (pt 1). Mt 9:16 (pt 1), ref Mk 2:21 (pt 1), Lk 5:36 (pt 2). Page 734 Mt 9:16 (pt 2), ref Mk 2:21 (pt 2). Lk 5:36 (pt 3). Mt 9:16 (pt 3). Mk 2:21 (pt 3). Lk 5:36 (pt 4). Mk 2:21 (pt 4), ref Mt 9:16 (pt 4). Mt 9:16 (pt 5). Mt 9:16 (pt 6), ref Mk 2:21 (pt 5). Mk 2:21 (pt 6). Mt 9:16 (pt 7). Mt 9:16 (pt 8), ref Mk 2:21 (pt 7). Lk 5:36 (pt 5). Mt 9:17 (pt 1), ref Mk 2:22 (pt 1), Lk 5:37 (pt 1). Mk 2:22 (pt 2), ref Lk 5:37 (pt 2). Mt 9:17 (pt 2), ref Mk 2:22 (pt 3), Lk 5:37 (pt 3). Page 735 Mt 9:17 (pt 3). Mt 9:17 (pt 4), ref Mk 2:22 (pt 4), Lk 5:37 (pt 4). Mt 9:17 (pt 5), ref Mk 2:22 (pt 5), Lk 5:38 (pt 1). Mt 9:17 (pt 6), ref Lk 5:38 (pt 2). Lk 5:39. Page 736 Jn 5:1. Jn 5:2. Jn 5:3. Jn 5:4. Jn 5:5. Jn 5:6. Page 737 Jn 5:7. Jn 5:8. Jn 5:9. Jn 5:10. Jn 5:11. Jn 5:12. Jn 5:13. Jn 5:14. Page 738 Jn 5:15. Jn 5:16. Jn 5:17. Jn 5:18. Jn 5:19. Page 739 Jn 5:20. Jn 5:21. Jn 5:22. Jn 5:23. Jn 5:24. Page 740 Jn 5:25. Jn 5:26. Jn 5:27. Jn 5:28. Jn 5:29. Page 741 Page 742 Page 743 Jn 5:30. Jn 5:31. Jn 5:32. Jn 5:33. Jn 5:34. Jn 5:35. Page 744 Jn 5:36. Jn 5:37. Page 745 Jn 5:38. Jn 5:39. Jn 5:40. Jn 5:41. Jn 5:42. Jn 5:43. Page 746 Jn 5:44. Jn 5:45. Jn 5:46. Jn 5:47. Lk 6:1 (pt 1). Mt 12:1 (pt 1). Mt 12:1 (pt 2), ref Lk 6:1 (pt 2). Mt 12:1 (pt 3). Mt 12:1 (pt 4), ref Lk 6:1 (pt 3). Page 747 Mt 12:1 (pt 5). Mt 12:1 (pt 6), ref Lk 6:1 (pt 4). Mk 2:23 (pt 1). Mt 12:1 (pt 7), ref Mk 2:23 (pt 2), Lk 6:1 (pt 5). Mt 12:1 (pt 8). Mt 12:1 (pt 10), ref Mk 2:23 (pt 3). Mk 2:23 (pt 4). Mt 12:1 (pt 11), ref Mk 2:23 (pt 5). Mt 12:1 (pt 12), ref Mk 2:23 (pt 6), Lk 6:1 (pt 6). Mt 12:1 (pt 13), ref Lk 6:1 (pt 7). Lk 6:1 (pt 8). Mt 12:2 (pt 1). Mk 2:24 (pt 1), ref Lk 6:2 (pt 1). Mt 12:2 (pt 2). Lk 6:2 (pt 2). Mk 2:24 (pt 2), ref Lk 6:2 (pt 3). Mt 12:2 (pt 3), ref Mk 2:24 (pt 3), Lk 6:2 (pt 4). Page 748 Mt 12:2 (pt 4), ref Mk 2:24 (pt 4). Lk 6:2 (pt 5). Mt 12:2 (pt 5). Mk 2:24 (pt 5). Mk 2:24 (pt 6), ref Lk 6:2 (pt 6). Mk 2:24 (pt 7), ref Lk 6:2 (pt 7). Lk 6:2 (pt 8). Mk 2:24 (pt 8). Mt 12:2 (pt 6). Mt 12:2 (pt 7), ref Mk 2:24 (pt 9). Mt 12:2 (pt 8), ref Mk 2:24 (pt 11), Lk 6:2 (pt 9). Mt 12:2 (pt 9), ref Lk 6:2 (pt 10). Mt 12:2 (pt 10), ref Mk 2:24 (pt 10), Lk 6:2 (pt 11). Mt 12:2 (pt 11), ref Mk 2:24 (pt 11). Lk 6:2 (pt 12). Page 749 Mt 12:3 (pt 1), ref Mk 2:25 (pt 1), Lk 6:3 (pt 1). Mt 12:3 (pt 2), ref Mk 2:25 (pt 2). Lk 6:3 (pt 2). Mk 2:25 (pt 3), ref Lk 6:3 (pt 3). Mt 12:3 (pt 4), ref Mk 2:25 (pt 4). Mt 12:3 (pt 5), ref Mk 2:25 (pt 5), Lk 6:3 (pt 4). Lk 6:3 (pt 5). Mt 12:3 (pt 6), ref Mk 2:25 (pt 6), Lk 6:3 (pt 6). Mt 12:3 (pt 7), ref Mk 2:25 (pt 7). Lk 6:3 (pt 7). Mk 2:25 (pt 8). Mt 12:3 (pt 8), ref Mk 2:25 (pt 9), Lk 6:3 (pt 8). Mk 2:25 (pt 10). Mt 12:3 (pt 9), ref Mk 2:25 (pt 11), Lk 6:3 (pt 9). Page 750 Mk 2:25 (pt 12). Mt 12:3 (pt 10), ref Mk 2:25 (pt 13), Lk 6:3 (pt 11). Mt 12:3 (pt 11), ref Lk 6:3 (pt 12). Mt 12:3 (pt 12). ref Mk 2:25 (pt 14), Lk 6:3 (pt 10). Mt 12:4 (pt 1), ref Mk 2:26 (pt 1), Lk 6:4 (pt 1). Mk 2:26 (pt 2). Lk 6:4 (pt 2). Mk 2:26 (pt 3), ref Mt 12:4 (pt 2), Lk 6:4 (pt 3). Mk 2:26 (pt 10), ref Lk 6:4 (pt 4). Mt 12:4 (pt 3), ref Mk 2:26 (pt 4), Lk 6:4 (pt 5). Lk 6:4 (pt 6). Mt 12:4 (pt 4), ref Mk 2:26 (pt 5), Mt 12:4 (pt 5), ref Mk 2:26 (pt 6), Lk 6:4 (pt 8). Mt 12:4 (pt 6), ref Mk 2:26 (pt 7), Lk 6:4 (pt 9) Page 751 Mt 12:4 (pt 7). Mt 12:4 (pt 8), ref Mk 2:26 (pt 8), Lk 6:4 (pt 10). Mt 12:4 (pt 9). Mt 12:4 (pt 10), ref Mk 2:26 (pt 9), Lk 6:4 (pt 11). Lk 6:4 (pt 12). Mt 12:5. Page 752 Page 753 Page 754 Page 755 Page 756 Page 757 Page 758 Page 759 Page 760 |
(BACK TO CAPERNAUM)
AND HE ENTERED (or stepped, or got) INTO A (BOAT), AND PASSED (or crossed) OVER (the lake again), AND CAME INTO HIS OWN (TOWN).MAN WITH THE PALSY HEALED, AND WHO CAN FORGIVE SINS? 30 YEARS PLUS 11 MONTHS AND AGAIN HE (HAD COME BACK) INTO CAPERNAUM, AFTER (A FEW) DAYS; AND (THE WORD SPREAD) THAT HE WAS (back at home). AND (IMMEDIATELY) (so) MANY WERE GATHERED TOGETHER, INSOMUCH THAT THERE WAS NO ROOM (left) TO RECEIVE THEM, NO, NOT SO MUCH AS (even) ABOUT (or near) THE DOOR: AND HE PREACHED THE WORD (TO) THEM. AND IT CAME TO PASS ON A CERTAIN DAY, AS HE WAS TEACHING, THAT THERE WERE (some) PHARISEES AND DOCTORS (or teachers) OF THE LAW SITTING BY, WHICH WERE COME OUT OF EVERY TOWN (or village) OF GALILEE, AND (from) (JUDEA), AND JERUSALEM: AND THE POWER OF THE LORD WAS PRESENT (for Him) TO HEAL (THE SICK). AND, BEHOLD, (SOME MEN) BROUGHT TO HIM A MAN SICK OF THE PALSY (or a paralytic, or a paralyzed man), LYING ON A BED (or mat, or mattress): WHICH WAS (CARRIED) OF FOUR (men). AND THEY (TRIED) TO BRING HIM IN (side), AND TO LAY HIM BEFORE (JESUS). AND WHEN THEY COULD NOT FIND BY WHAT WAY THEY MIGHT BRING HIM IN (BECAUSE OF THE CROWD-NIV), THEY WENT UPON THE (ROOF), THEY UNCOVERED (or removed, or made an opening in-NIV) THE ROOF (above) WHERE (JESUS) WAS: AND WHEN THEY HAD BROKEN IT UP, THEY LET DOWN THE BED (or mat, or stretcher) WHEREIN THE SICK OF THE PALSY (or paralyzed man) LAY. AND (LOWERED) HIM DOWN THROUGH THE (TILES) WITH HIS (STRETCHER) INTO THE (MIDDLE) (of the crowd, right-NIV) BEFORE JESUS. AND JESUS SEEING THEIR FAITH (or trust) SAID (TO) HIM, SON, BE OF GOOD CHEER (or take heart, or courage); (YOUR) SINS (ARE) FORGIVEN (YOU). AND, BEHOLD, THERE WERE (SOME) OF THE SCRIBES (or teachers) AND THE PHARISEES SITTING THERE, (which) BEGAN (THINKING TO THEMSELVES) SAYING, AND REASONING IN THEIR HEARTS, (and) SAID WITHIN THEMSELVES, THIS MAN BLASPHEMETH. WHY (DOES) THIS MAN THUS SPEAK BLASPHEMIES (like this)? WHO IS THIS (man) WHICH (SPEAKS) BLASPHEMIES? WHO CAN FORGIVE SINS BUT GOD ONLY? AND IMMEDIATELY WHEN JESUS (KNEW) IN HIS SPIRIT THEIR THOUGHTS (or reasonings), (WHAT THEY WERE THINKING-JNT) THAT THEY SO REASONED WITHIN THEMSELVES HE (ANSWERED) (and) SAID, (TO) THEM, (WHY DO YOU THINK-NKJV) THESE EVIL (thoughts) IN YOUR HEARTS? FOR (WHICH) IS EASIER, TO SAY, TO THE SICK OF THE PALSY (or paralyzed man), (YOUR) SINS (ARE) FORGIVEN (YOU); OR TO SAY, (GET UP), AND TAKE UP (YOUR) BED (or mat, or stretcher), AND WALK? BUT (in order) THAT (YOU) MAY KNOW THAT THE SON OF MAN (HAS) (AUTHORITY) ON EARTH TO FORGIVE SINS (or But look! I will prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins–JNT), (THEN [SAID] HE TO THE SICK OF THE PALSY,) (or paralytic, or paralyzed man) I SAY (TO) (YOU) (or the paralytic), (GET UP), TAKE UP (YOUR) BED (or mat, or mattress), AND GO (TO) (YOUR) (HOME). AND (AT ONCE) HE (the man) (GOT UP), BEFORE THEM, AND TOOK UP THAT WHEREON HE LAY, THE BED (or mat, or stretcher), AND DEPARTED AND WENT FORTH (and walked out in full view–NIV) BEFORE THEM ALL; TO HIS OWN (HOME). GLORIFYING (or praising) GOD. BUT WHEN THE (CROWD) SAW IT, THEY MARVELED (or were filled with awe–NASB), AND INSOMUCH THAT THEY WERE ALL (utterly) AMAZED, AND (everyone) GLORIFIED (or praised) GOD, WHICH HAD GIVEN SUCH (AUTHORITY) (TO) MEN (or human beings). AND WERE FILLED WITH FEAR (or awe), SAYING, WE NEVER SAW IT ON THIS FASHION (or we have never seen anything like this–NASB). WE HAVE SEEN STRANGE (or remarkable) THINGS TO DAY. (BESIDE THE LAKE)
AND HE (Jesus) WENT (OUT) AGAIN (BESIDE) THE (LAKE) SIDE; AND (A LARGE CROWD) (CAME) (TO) HIM, AND HE TAUGHT THEM.LEVI CALLED 31 YEARS AND AFTER THESE THINGS (JESUS) WENT (OUT), AND AS JESUS (WENT ON) FROM (THERE), AND AS HE (WALKED ALONG), HE (SPOTTED) A (TAX COLLECTOR), NAMED MATTHEW, NAMED LEVI, THE SON OF ALPHAEUS SITTING AT THE (TAX COLLECTOR’S BOOTH): AND HE (SAID) (TO) HIM, FOLLOW ME. AND HE LEFT (EVERYTHING) (behind), AND (so) (MATTHEW) (GOT UP), AND FOLLOWED HIM. AND LEVI MADE HIM A GREAT FEAST IN HIS OWN HOUSE: AND IT CAME TO PASS, AS JESUS (WAS HAVING DINNER) (AT MATTHEW’S) HOUSE, AND BEHOLD, THERE WAS MANY A GREAT (CROWD) OF (TAX COLLECTORS) AND SINNERS AND OF OTHERS THAT CAME AND SAT DOWN ALSO TOGETHER (eating) WITH THEM. WITH (JESUS) AND HIS DISCIPLES (at the meal). FOR THERE WERE MANY (of them) (among His followers), AND THEY FOLLOWED HIM. AND WHEN THE SCRIBES (or teachers of the Law-NIV) AND PHARISEES SAW IT, HIM EAT WITH (TAX COLLECTORS) AND SINNERS, BUT THEIR SCRIBES (or teachers of the Law-NIV) AND PHARISEES MURMURED (or began grumbling, or complained, or protested indignantly) THEY SAID (TO) HIS DISCIPLES, WHY (DOES YOUR) MASTER (or teacher, or rabbi) (eat) AND (DRINKS) WITH (the) (TAX COLLECTORS) AND SINNERS? WHY DO (YOU) EAT AND DRINK WITH (TAX COLLECTORS) AND SINNERS? BUT WHEN JESUS HEARD THAT, HE SAID (TO) THEM, THEY THAT BE WHOLE (or are healthy, or well) NEED NOT A (DOCTOR), BUT THEY THAT ARE SICK. BUT GO (YOU) AND LEARN WHAT THAT (MEANS), I WILL HAVE (or desire, or want) MERCY (or compassion), AND NOT SACRIFICE (or animal sacrifices): FOR I AM NOT COME TO CALL THE RIGHTEOUS, BUT SINNERS TO REPENTANCE. JESUS WAS ASKED ABOUT FASTING
AND THE DISCIPLES OF JOHN AND OF THE PHARISEES USED TO FAST (or were fasting): AND31 YEARS PLUS 2 MONTHS THEN THEY CAME AND THEY THE DISCIPLES OF JOHN, SAID TO HIM (TO) (JESUS), WHY DO WE THE DISCIPLES OF JOHN FAST OFTEN, AND MAKE PRAYERS, AND LIKEWISE THE DISCIPLES OF THE PHARISEES FAST (OFTEN) (or frequently), BUT (YOUR) DISCIPLES FAST NOT? BUT (YOURS) (GO ON EATING AND DRINKING–NIV)? AND JESUS SAID (TO) THEM, CAN THE CHILDREN (or attendants, or wedding guests, or friends) OF THE BRIDECHAMBER (or bridegroom) MOURN, (or) FAST, AS LONG AS (or) WHILE THE BRIDEGROOM IS WITH THEM? AS LONG AS THEY HAVE THE BRIDEGROOM WITH THEM, THEY CANNOT FAST (or fasting is out of the question–JNT). BUT THE DAYS WILL COME, WHEN THE BRIDEGROOM SHALL BE TAKEN FROM THEM, AND THEN SHALL THEY FAST. (Ref Mt 6:16) IN THOSE DAYS. PARABLE OF THE NEW CLOTH (OR
AND HE (SPOKE) ALSO A PARABLE (or gave an illustration) (TO) THEM;GARMENT) AND NEW WINE 31 YEARS PLUS 4 MONTHS NO MAN (PUTS) (or sows) A PIECE (or patch) OF NEW (or unshrunk) CLOTH (ON) AN OLD GARMENT (or coat), (or) OF A NEW GARMENT (ON) AN OLD (garment); FOR ELSE (if he does) IF (HE DOES), THE NEW PIECE (or patch) WHICH IS PUT IN TO FILL IT UP (PULLS) (away) FROM THE OLD (cloth), GARMENT (or coat), AND THE (TEAR) (or hole) IS MADE WORSE. THEN BOTH THE NEW (MAKES) A (TEAR) (or will…continue to rip-JNT), AND THE PIECE THAT WAS TAKEN OUT OF THE NEW (WILL NOT MATCH) THE OLD. NEITHER DO MEN (POUR) NEW WINE INTO OLD BOTTLES (or wineskins): (OTHERWISE) THE NEW WINE (WILL) BURST THE BOTTLES (or wineskins will) BREAK (or burst), AND THE WINE (RUNS) OUT, AND THE BOTTLES (or wineskins) PERISH (or are ruined): BUT THEY PUT NEW WINE INTO NEW BOTTLES (or freshly prepared wineskins-JNT), AND (in this way) BOTH ARE PRESERVED. (Besides that) NO MAN ALSO (after) HAVING DRUNK OLD WINE (IMMEDIATELY) (WISHES) (for) (the) NEW: FOR HE (SAYS), THE OLD IS BETTER (or good enough). JESUS GOES TO JERUSALEM
AFTER THIS (or some time later) THERE WAS A FEAST (or festival) OF THE JEWS; AND JESUS WENT UP TO JERUSALEM.A MAN HEALED AT THE POOL CALLED BETHESDA 31 YEARS PLUS 6 MONTHS (PROBABLY PASSOVER––NEAR APRIL) NOW THERE IS AT JERUSALEM BY THE SHEEP MARKET (or gate) A POOL, WHICH IS CALLED IN THE HEBREW TONGUE BETHESDA, HAVING FIVE PORCHES. (Here) IN THESE LAY A GREAT MULTITUDE OF (SICK) (PEOPLE), OF (the) BLIND, (LAME), (and) WITHERED (or paralyzed), WAITING FOR THE MOVING OF THE WATER. FOR AN ANGEL (of the Lord) WENT DOWN AT A CERTAIN (TIME) INTO THE POOL, AND (STIRRED UP) THE WATER: (WHOEVER) THEN FIRST AFTER THE (STIRRING UP) OF THE WATER STEPPED IN WAS MADE (WELL) OF (WHATEVER) DISEASE HE HAD. AND A CERTAIN MAN WAS THERE, WHICH HAD AN INFIRMITY (or sickness, or had been an invalid for-NIV) THIRTY AND EIGHT YEARS. WHEN JESUS SAW HIM (LYING THERE), AND (KNOWING) THAT HE HAD BEEN NOW A LONG TIME IN THAT (CONDITION), HE (SAID) (TO) HIM, (DO YOU WISH) (to) BE MADE (WELL) (or healed)? THE (INVALID) MAN ANSWERED HIM, SIR, I HAVE NO MAN, WHEN THE WATER IS (STIRRED UP), TO PUT ME INTO THE POOL: BUT WHILE I AM (TRYING) (to get in), ANOTHER (STEPS) DOWN BEFORE ME. JESUS (SAID) (TO) HIM, RISE (up), TAKE UP (YOUR) BED (or mat), AND WALK. AND IMMEDIATELY THE MAN WAS (HEALED), AND TOOK UP HIS BED (or mat), AND WALKED: AND (THAT) DAY WAS THE SABBATH. THE JEWS THEREFORE SAID (TO) HIM (THE MAN) THAT WAS CURED, IT IS THE SABBATH DAY: IT IS NOT LAWFUL (or permissible) (or it's against Torah-JNT) FOR (YOU) TO CARRY (YOUR) BED (or mat). (But) HE ANSWERED THEM, HE THAT MADE ME (WELL), THE SAME (was the One Who-NASB) SAID (TO) ME, TAKE UP (YOUR) BED (or mat), AND WALK. THEN ASKED THEY HIM, WHAT MAN IS THAT WHICH SAID (TO) (YOU), TAKE UP (YOUR) BED, AND WALK? AND HE THAT WAS HEALED (DID NOT KNOW) WHO IT WAS: FOR JESUS HAD (SLIPPED) AWAY, A (CROWD) BEING IN THAT PLACE. AFTERWARD JESUS (FOUND) HIM IN THE TEMPLE (court), AND SAID (TO) HIM, BEHOLD, (YOU) (HAVE BEEN) MADE (WELL) (again): SIN NO MORE, LEST A WORSE THING COME (UPON) (YOU). THE MAN DEPARTED, AND TOLD THE JEWS THAT IT WAS JESUS, WHICH HAD MADE HIM (WELL). AND (FOR THIS REASON) DID THE JEWS PERSECUTE (or began harassing) JESUS, AND SOUGHT TO SLAY HIM, BECAUSE HE HAD DONE THESE THINGS ON THE SABBATH DAY. THE SON’S RELATIONSHIP WITH
BUT JESUS ANSWERED THEM, MY FATHER (IS WORKING) (TO THIS VERY DAY-NIV), AND I WORK (too).THE FATHER 31 YEARS PLUS 6 MONTHS THEREFORE (for this reason) THE JEWS (TRIED) (ALL THE HARDER) TO KILL HIM, BECAUSE HE NOT ONLY HAD BROKEN THE SABBATH, BUT SAID ALSO THAT GOD WAS HIS FATHER, MAKING HIMSELF EQUAL WITH GOD. JESUS PROVES WHO HE IS
THEN ANSWERED JESUS AND SAID (TO) THEM, (YES, INDEED), I SAY (TO) YOU (the truth), THE SON CAN DO NOTHING OF HIMSELF, BUT (He can do only-NIV) WHAT HE (SEES) THE FATHER DO: FOR (WHATEVER) (THE FATHER) (DOES), THESE (things) ALSO (DOES) THE SON (IN LIKE MANNER).TO THE BLIND UNBELIEVERS 31 YEARS PLUS 6 MONTHS FOR THE FATHER (LOVES) THE SON, AND (SHOWS) HIM ALL THINGS THAT (He) HIMSELF (DOES): AND HE WILL SHOW HIM (even) GREATER WORKS THAN THESE, THAT (YOU) MAY (BE AMAZED). FOR (just) AS THE FATHER (RAISES) UP THE DEAD, AND QUICKENETH THEM (or gives them life); EVEN SO THE SON (GIVES LIFE) (to) WHOM HE (WISHES). FOR (even) THE FATHER (JUDGES) NO MAN, BUT (HAS) COMMITTED ALL JUDGMENT (TO) THE SON: THAT ALL MEN SHOULD HONOR THE SON, EVEN AS THEY HONOR THE FATHER. HE THAT (DOES NOT HONOR) THE SON (DOES NOT HONOR) THE FATHER (WHO) SENT HIM (or whoever fails to honor the Son is not honoring the Father Who sent Him–JNT). VERILY, VERILY (or yes indeed), I SAY (TO) YOU (the truth), HE THAT (HEARS) MY WORD (or what I am saying–JNT), AND (BELIEVES) (or trusts) ON HIM (or believes Him) THAT SENT ME, (HAS) EVERLASTING LIFE, AND SHALL NOT COME (up) (FOR) CONDEMNATION (or judgment); BUT IS (already) (CROSSED OVER) FROM DEATH (TO) LIFE. (YES, INDEED), I SAY (TO) YOU (the truth), THE (TIME) IS COMING, AND (in fact) NOW IS, WHEN THE DEAD SHALL HEAR THE VOICE OF THE SON OF GOD: AND THEY THAT HEAR SHALL LIVE (or come to life). FOR (just) AS THE FATHER (HAS) LIFE IN HIMSELF; (even) SO (HAS) HE GIVEN TO THE SON TO HAVE LIFE IN HIMSELF; AND (He) (HAS) GIVEN HIM AUTHORITY TO EXECUTE JUDGMENT ALSO, BECAUSE HE IS THE SON OF MAN. (DON’T BE SURPRISED) AT THIS: FOR THE (TIME) IS COMING, (WHEN) ALL THAT ARE IN THE GRAVES SHALL HEAR HIS VOICE, AND SHALL COME FORTH; THEY THAT HAVE DONE GOOD, (TO) THE RESURRECTION OF LIFE; AND THEY THAT HAVE DONE EVIL, (TO) THE RESURRECTION OF DAMNATION (or judgment) (to be condemned). Commentary scriptures continues on Page 743 I CAN OF (MY) OWN SELF DO NOTHING: AS I HEAR, I JUDGE: AND MY JUDGMENT IS (RIGHTEOUS); BECAUSE I SEEK NOT (MY) OWN WILL, BUT THE WILL OF THE FATHER (WHO) SENT ME. IF I (alone) (TESTIFY) OF MYSELF (or on My own behalf–JNT), MY WITNESS (or testimony) IS NOT (VALID). THERE IS ANOTHER THAT (BEARS) WITNESS OF ME; AND I KNOW THAT THE WITNESS (or testimony) WHICH HE (BEARS) OF ME IS (VALID). (YOU) (have) SENT (TO) JOHN, AND HE (HAS BORNE) WITNESS (TO) THE TRUTH. BUT I RECEIVE NOT TESTIMONY FROM MAN: BUT THESE THINGS I (MENTION), THAT (YOU) MIGHT BE SAVED. (JOHN) WAS A BURNING AND A SHINING LIGHT: AND (YOU) WERE WILLING FOR A (WHILE) TO REJOICE IN (or enjoy) HIS LIGHT. BUT I HAVE GREATER WITNESS THAN THAT OF JOHN: FOR THE (very) WORKS WHICH THE FATHER (HAS) GIVEN ME TO (ACCOMPLISH), THE SAME WORKS THAT I DO, BEAR WITNESS (ON MY BEHALF), THAT THE FATHER (HAS) SENT ME. AND THE FATHER HIMSELF, (WHO) SENT ME, (HAS) BORNE WITNESS OF ME. (YOU) HAVE NEITHER HEARD HIS VOICE AT ANY TIME, (OR) SEEN HIS SHAPE (or form). AND (YOU) HAVE NOT HIS WORD ABIDING IN YOU (or His Word does not stay in you–JNT): (BECAUSE) WHOM HE HATH SENT, HIM (YOU) BELIEVE (or trust) NOT. (You) (diligently) SEARCH (or study) THE SCRIPTURES; (BECAUSE) (that) (BY) THEM (YOU) THINK (that) (YOU) (POSSESS) ETERNAL LIFE: AND (IT IS THESE) (very Scriptures) WHICH (BEAR WITNESS) OF ME. AND (yet) (YOU) (REFUSE TO) COME TO ME, THAT (YOU) MIGHT HAVE LIFE. I RECEIVE NOT HONOR (or glory) FROM MEN. BUT I (do) KNOW YOU (people), THAT (YOU) HAVE NOT THE LOVE OF GOD IN (YOURSELVES) (or in your hearts) (or you have no love for God in you–JNT). I AM COME IN MY FATHER'S NAME, AND (YOU) RECEIVE ME NOT: IF ANOTHER SHALL COME IN HIS OWN NAME, HIM (YOU) WILL RECEIVE. HOW CAN (YOU) BELIEVE (or trust), WHICH RECEIVE HONOR (or glory, or praise) ONE OF ANOTHER, AND (yet) SEEK NOT THE HONOR (or glory, or praise) THAT (COMES) FROM GOD ONLY? (or How can you trust? You're busy collecting praise from each other, instead of seeking praise from God only–JNT.) DO NOT THINK THAT I WILL ACCUSE YOU (BEFORE) THE FATHER: THERE IS ONE THAT (ACCUSES) YOU, EVEN MOSES, IN WHOM (YOU) TRUST (or have set your hope-NIV) (or Do you know who will accuse you? [Moses], the very one you have counted on!–JNT). FOR HAD (YOU) (really) BELIEVED MOSES, (YOU) WOULD HAVE BELIEVED ME: (BECAUSE) HE WROTE (ABOUT) ME. BUT IF (YOU) BELIEVE NOT HIS WRITINGS, HOW SHALL (YOU) BELIEVE MY WORDS? (THROUGH THE CORN FIELDS)
PICKING CORN ON THE SABBATH DAY 31 YEARS PLUS 7 MONTHS AND IT CAME TOPASS ON THE SECOND SABBATH AFTER THE FIRST, AT THAT TIME JESUS WENT ON THE SABBATH DAY THROUGH THE CORN (or grainfields); AND IT CAME TO PASS, THAT HE WENT THROUGH THE CORN (or grain, or wheat) FIELDS ON THE SABBATH DAY; AND HIS DISCIPLES WERE (HUNGRY), AND BEGAN AS THEY (WALKED ALONG) (their way), Mt 12:1 (pt 11), ref Mk 2:23 (pt 5). TO PLUCK THE EARS OF CORN (or heads of grain), AND TO EAT. RUBBING THEM IN THEIR HANDS. BUT WHEN THE PHARISEES SAW IT, AND THEY CERTAIN OF THE PHARISEES SAID (TO) HIM, (or) (TO) THEM, (LOOK!), (SEE HERE), WHY DO (YOU) (or) THEY (YOUR) DISCIPLES DO THAT WHICH IS NOT LAWFUL TO DO UPON (or are violating) THE SABBATH DAY. (or) DAYS (or Why are you violating Shabbat–JNT)? BUT HE JESUS ANSWERING THEM SAID (TO) THEM, HAVE (YOU) NOT READ SO MUCH AS THIS, WHAT DAVID DID, WHEN HE HIMSELF (WAS IN) NEED AND WAS (HUNGRY), HE, AND THEY THAT WERE WITH HIM; (HIS COMPANIONS) HOW HE ENTERED INTO THE HOUSE OF GOD, IN THE DAYS OF ABIATHAR THE HIGH PRIEST, AND DID TAKE AND DID EAT THE SHOWBREAD (or consecrated bread, or Bread of the Presence–JNT), AND (he) GAVE (it) ALSO TO THEM WHICH WERE WITH HIM? WHICH IT WAS NOT LAWFUL FOR HIM TO EAT, NEITHER FOR (HIS COMPANIONS) WHICH WERE WITH HIM, BUT ONLY FOR THE PRIESTS? ALONE? OR HAVE (YOU) NOT READ IN THE LAW, HOW THAT ON THE SABBATH DAYS THE PRIESTS IN THE TEMPLE PROFANE (or break, or desecrate) THE SABBATH, AND ARE BLAMELESS (or innocent)? The verses continue on pg 769 |
(BACK TO CAPERNAUM) MAN WITH THE PALSY HEALED, AND WHO CAN FORGIVE SINS? 30 YEARS PLUS 11 MONTHS AND PASSED (or crossed) OVER (the lake again), The lake would have been the Sea of Galilee– AND CAME INTO HIS OWN (TOWN). Mk 2:1. AND AGAIN HE (HAD COME BACK) INTO CAPERNAUM, AFTER (A FEW) DAYS; AND (THE WORD SPREAD) THAT HE WAS (back at home). The home of Jesus had become Capernaum. Mk 2:2 AND (IMMEDIATELY) (so) MANY WERE GATHERED TOGETHER, INSOMUCH THAT THERE WAS NO ROOM (left) TO RECEIVE THEM, NO, NOT SO MUCH AS (even) ABOUT (or near) THE DOOR: AND HE PREACHED THE WORD (TO) THEM. Note that Jesus preached God’s Word to the people. That is a far cry from the times we are now living in. In this Laodicean church age that we are now living, God’s Word is preached very sparsely. God’s Word has been replace with lots of worldly stories, stories about their preacher, stories from other books, and lots of talking which lacks God’s Word. If a person would attend every church service possible in their church for 100 years now a days, it is unlikely that they would ever hear even one half of the complete Bible preached even once. God forbid. Since faith comes only through God’s Word, not through man’s word, it is no wonder that Jesus said–Lk18:8–I TELL YOU…WHEN THE SON OF MAN COMETH, SHALL HE FIND FAITH ON THE EARTH? The churches in this generation ought to be repeadily be telling their people to study, study, and study God’s Word. The preachers ought to be bring forth God’s Word from the pulpits, not all sorts of worldly stories. But, nevertheless, if they did, this would not be the generation that it is. It is the generation that will see the rapture, but few, that is very few people will be taken when the trumpet shall blows and the words are spoken, “COME UP HITHER”-ref Rev 4:1. It is expected that few people will even understand that the rapture has taken place. But then there will be a few of the many that have fallen away from their faith, and they will understand they have been left behind. They will undoubtably be terrified, but God forbid, many of our churches are telling people a person cannot fall, yet the Bible repeadidly says the opposite. Paul warned his people over and over about falling away and turning away from God and from their faith. Demas was just one of many examples. The verses continue– Lk 5:17 AND IT CAME TO PASS ON A CERTAIN DAY, AS HE WAS TEACHING. And what was Jesus teaching? Was it a bunch of worldly stories or was it God’s pure Word? It was God’s pure Word. The verse continues– THAT THERE WERE (some) PHARISEES AND DOCTORS (or teachers) OF THE LAW SITTING BY, WHICH WERE COME OUT OF EVERY TOWN (or village) OF GALILEE, AND (from) (JUDEA), AND JERUSALEM. Note there were Pharisees and doctors of the law there listening to Jesus. In this generation there are many that have high degrees from Bible schools. Some are famous, yet they are far from God. A Bible degree from a college or university is no guarentee that a person is saved. It is only by their fruits that ye shall know them. Preachers and priests in the days of Jesus, as well as today, often look like they are very good or holy people, but in reality, inside they are spiritually dead. People are deceived by them. It is written, 2 Cor 11:13–15–For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. The verse continues– AND THE POWER OF THE LORD WAS PRESENT (for Him) TO HEAL (THE SICK). First Jesus preached God’s Word, and then after He healed the sick. Mt 9:2 (pt 1), ref Mk 2:3 (pt 1), Lk 5:18 (pt 1) AND, BEHOLD, (SOME MEN) BROUGHT TO HIM Mt 9:2 (pt 2), ref Mk 2:3 (pt 2), Lk 5:18 (pt 3) A MAN SICK OF THE PALSY (or a paralytic, or a paralyzed man), Mt 9:2 (pt 3) LYING Mt 9:2 (pt 4), ref Lk 5:18 (pt 2) ON A BED (or mat, or mattress): Mk 2:3 (pt 3) WHICH WAS (CARRIED) OF FOUR (men). Lk 5:18 (pt 4) AND THEY (TRIED) TO BRING HIM IN (side), AND TO LAY HIM BEFORE (JESUS). Lk 5:19 (pt 1) AND WHEN THEY COULD NOT FIND BY WHAT WAY THEY MIGHT BRING HIM IN Mk 2:4 (pt 2), ref Lk 5:19 (pt 2) (BECAUSE OF THE CROWD-NIV), Lk 5:19 (pt 3) THEY WENT UPON THE (ROOF), Mk 2:4 (pt 3) THEY UNCOVERED (or removed, or made an opening in-NIV) THE ROOF (above) WHERE (JESUS) WAS: AND WHEN THEY HAD BROKEN IT UP, THEY LET DOWN THE BED (or mat, or stretcher) WHEREIN THE SICK OF THE PALSY (or paralyzed man) LAY. Lk 5:19 (pt 4) AND (LOWERED) HIM DOWN THROUGH THE (TILES) WITH HIS (STRETCHER) INTO THE (MIDDLE) (of the crowd, right-NIV) BEFORE JESUS. Mt 9:2 (pt 5), ref Mk 2:5 (pt 1), Lk 5:20 (pt 1) AND JESUS SEEING THEIR FAITH (or trust) SAID Lk 5:20 (pt 2) (TO) HIM, Mt 9:2 (pt 7), ref Mk 2:5 (pt 3) SON, Mt 9:2 (pt 8) BE OF GOOD CHEER (or take heart, or courage); Mt 9:2 (pt 9), ref Mk 2:5 (pt 4), Lk 5:20 (pt 4) (YOUR) SINS (ARE) FORGIVEN (YOU). Note, before the man was healed, his sins were forgiven. This indicates that the man had faith in Jesus and also had a humble and repentant heart–ref Ja 4:6. Mt 9:3 (pt 1), ref Mk 2:6 (pt 1) AND, Mt 9:3 (pt 2) BEHOLD, Mk 2:6 (pt 2) THERE WERE Mt 9:3 (pt 3), ref Mk 2:6 (pt 3), Lk 5:21 (pt 1) (SOME) OF THE SCRIBES (or teachers) Lk 5:21 (pt 2) AND THE PHARISEES Mk 2:6 (pt 4) SITTING THERE, Lk 5:21 (pt 3) (which) BEGAN (THINKING TO THEMSELVES) SAYING, Mk 2:6 (pt 5) AND REASONING IN THEIR HEARTS, Mt 9:3 (pt 4) (and) SAID WITHIN THEMSELVES, THIS MAN BLASPHEMETH. We might ask, “Where do these evil and lying thoughts come from”? Jesus did not blaspheme, yet some thought he did. We all have evil lying thoughts. They come from the devil, from the demonic realm. Then the heart in each of us processes each thought in an instant, and according to the kind of a heart we have, (1) we either immediately reject the thought as wrong, (2) or we continue to consider it, (3) or we instantly believe it is true. Then we speak or act accordingly. The Scriptures give us a good example of this. God’s Word was preached. Afterwards the crowd split into three groups. Group 1 rejected what they heard and left. Group 2 continued to think on what they heard. They were unsure what to do. But group 3 immediately believed what they heard and followed the apostle. They all heard the same word, yet they did not all have the same reaction? Why is this. Each person’s heart is different. Some have very hard hearts or a wayside heart, others have a stony or thorney heart which is a heart that has some softness in it, and a few have a good and honest heart. The good and honest heart will follow God’s Word to the end. Which heart best fits you? You can change your heart for the better, that is you can purify your heart if you will obey God’s Word–ref Ja 4:8; 1 Pe 1:22. As you obey, your heart changes for the better. The good and honest heart is the smallest group. We may say a lying heart cannot recognize the truth when it comes forth, but a honest heart can. It is written LET GOD BE TRUE AND EVERY MAN A LIAR–ref Ro 3:4. Some of the scribes and Pharisees said, Mk 2:7 (pt 1) WHY (DOES) THIS MAN THUS SPEAK BLASPHEMIES (like this)? Lk 5:21 (pt 4) WHO IS THIS (man) WHICH (SPEAKS) BLASPHEMIES? Mk 2:7 (pt 2), ref Lk 5:21 (pt 5) WHO CAN FORGIVE SINS BUT GOD ONLY? Only God can forgive sins. But they did not recognize that this was God, come in the flesh. So it is with most people. The Scriptures are the infallable Word of God, but people, because of thoughts they have in their head from the devil, don’t understand this fact. In this spiritually lukewarm church age we currently live, many preach the Gospel, but they are blind leaders of the blind. Can one imagine how it would be if when they went to school, each teacher each taught things differently and had different opinion? The students would never understand what is correct and what is not correct. They would be confused. So it is today in the churches. Mt 9:4 (pt 1), ref Mk 2:8 (pt 1), Lk 5:22 (pt 1) AND Mk 2:8 (pt 2) IMMEDIATELY Mk 2:8 (pt 3), ref Lk 5:22 (pt 2) WHEN Mk 2:8 (pt 4), ref Mt 9:4 (pt 2), Lk 5:22 (pt 3) JESUS (KNEW) Mk 2:8 (pt 5) IN HIS SPIRIT Lk 5:22 (pt 4) THEIR THOUGHTS (or reasonings), Mt 9:4 (pt 3) (WHAT THEY WERE THINKING-JNT) Mk 2:8 (pt 6) THAT THEY SO REASONED WITHIN THEMSELVES. Take note that Jesus knew what was in their thoughts. Then Jesus, Mk 2:8 (pt 7), ref Lk 5:22 (pt 5) HE Lk 5:22 (pt 6) (ANSWERED) (and) Mt 9:4 (pt 4), ref Mk 2:8 (pt 8), Lk 5:22 (pt 7) SAID, Mk 2:8 (pt 9), ref Lk 5:22 (pt 8) (TO) THEM, Mt 9:4 (pt 5), ref Mk 2:8 (pt 10), Lk 5:22 (pt 9) (WHY DO YOU THINK–NKJV) Mk 2:8 (pt 11) THESE Mt 9:4 (pt 6) EVIL Mt 9:4 (pt 7), ref Mk 2:8 (pt 12), Lk 5:22 (pt 10) (thoughts) IN YOUR HEARTS? Jesus knowing their wrong thinking, immediately set forth to quench their wrong, evil thinking by saying: Mt 9:5 (pt 1), ref Mk 2:9 (pt 1), Lk 5:23 (pt 1) FOR (WHICH) IS EASIER, TO SAY, Mk 2:9 (pt 2) TO THE SICK OF THE PALSY (or paralyzed man), Mt 9:5 (pt 2), ref Mk 2:9 (pt 3), Lk 5:23 (pt 2) (YOUR) SINS (ARE) FORGIVEN (YOU); OR TO SAY, (GET UP), Mk 2:9 (pt 4) AND TAKE UP (YOUR) BED (or mat, or stretcher), Mt 9:5 (pt 3), ref Mk 2:9 (pt 5), Lk 5:23 (pt 3) AND WALK? Mt 9:6 (pt 1), ref Mk 2:10, Lk 5:24 (pt 1) BUT (in order) THAT (YOU) MAY KNOW THAT THE SON OF MAN (HAS) (AUTHORITY) ON EARTH TO FORGIVE SINS (or But look! I will prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins–JNT), (THEN [SAID] HE TO THE SICK OF THE PALSY,) (or paralytic, or paralyzed man) Mk 2:11 (pt 1), ref Lk 5:24 (pt 2) I SAY (TO) (YOU) (or the paralytic), Mt 9:6 (pt 2), ref Mk 2:11 (pt 2), Lk 5:24 (pt 3) (GET UP), TAKE UP (YOUR) BED (or mat, or mattress), AND GO (TO) (YOUR) (HOME). Mt 9:7 (pt 1), ref Mk 2:12 (pt 1), Lk 5:24 (pt 1) AND Mk 2:12 (pt2), ref Lk 5:24 (pt 2) (AT ONCE) Mt 9:7 (pt 2), ref Mk 2:12 (pt 3), Lk 5:25 (pt 3) HE (the man) (GOT UP), Lk 5:25 (pt 4) BEFORE THEM, AND Mk 2:12 (pt 4), ref Lk 5:25 (pt 6) TOOK UP Lk 5:25 (pt 7) THAT WHEREON HE LAY, Mk 2:12 (pt 5) THE BED (or mat, or stretcher), Mt 9:7 (pt 3), ref Lk 5:25 (pt 8) AND DEPARTED Mk 2:12 (pt 6) AND WENT FORTH (and walked out in full view–NIV) BEFORE THEM ALL; Mt 9:7 (pt 4), ref Lk 5:25 (pt 9) TO HIS Lk 5:25 (pt 10) OWN Mt 9:7 (pt 5), ref Lk 5:25 (pt 11) (HOME). Lk 5:25 (pt 12) GLORIFYING (or praising) GOD. Mt 9:8 (pt 1) BUT WHEN THE (CROWD) SAW IT, THEY MARVELED (or were filled with awe–NASB), Lk 5:26 (pt 1) AND Mk 2:12 (pt 7) INSOMUCH THAT Mk 2:12 (pt 8), ref Lk 5:26 (pt 2) THEY WERE ALL (utterly) AMAZED, Mt 9:8 (pt 2), ref Mk 2:12 (pt 9), Lk 5:26 (pt 3) AND Mk 2:12 (pt 10), ref Lk 5:26 (pt 4) (everyone) Mt 9:8 (pt 3), ref Mk 2:12 (pt 11), Lk 5:26 (pt 5) GLORIFIED (or praised) GOD, Mt 9:8 (pt 4) WHICH HAD GIVEN SUCH (AUTHORITY) (TO) MEN (or human beings). Lk 5:26 (pt 6) AND WERE FILLED WITH FEAR (or awe), Mk 2:12 (pt 12), ref Lk 5:26 (pt 7) SAYING, Mk 2:12 (pt 13) WE NEVER SAW IT ON THIS FASHION (or we have never seen anything like this-NASB). Lk 5:26 (pt 8) WE HAVE SEEN STRANGE (or remarkable) THINGS TO DAY. Because of the hardness of some people’s hearts, even if God would raise the dead, they will still not believe because they have such a hard, deceitful, and lying heart. This is proven in Lk 16:31And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets (which is God’s Word, which is the bible), neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. Thus, when God’s Word comes forth which proves them wrong, some people stop their ears from hearing, or in some cases, they seek to kill the person that is speaking God’s Word. Does this fit you? (BESIDE THE LAKE)
Mk 2:13 AND HE (Jesus) WENT (OUT) AGAINLEVI CALLED 31 YEARS (BESIDE) THE (LAKE) SIDE; The lake would have been the Sea of Galilee— AND (A LARGE CROWD) (CAME) (TO) HIM, AND HE TAUGHT THEM. Lk 5:27 (pt 1) AND AFTER THESE THINGS (JESUS) WENT (OUT), Mt 9:9 (pt 1) AND AS JESUS (WENT ON) FROM (THERE), Mk 2:14 (pt 1) AND AS HE (WALKED ALONG), Mt 9:9 (pt 2), ref Mk 2:14 (pt 2), Lk 5:27 (pt 2) HE (SPOTTED) Mt 9:9 (pt 3), ref Lk 5:27 (pt 3) A (TAX COLLECTOR), Mt 9:9 (pt 4) NAMED MATTHEW, Lk 5:27 (pt 4), ref Mk 2:14 (pt 3) NAMED LEVI, Mk 2:14 (pt 4) THE SON OF ALPHAEUS Mt 9:9 (pt 5), ref Mk 2:14 (pt 5), Lk 5:27 (pt 5) SITTING AT THE (TAX COLLECTOR’S BOOTH): AND HE (SAID) (TO) HIM, FOLLOW ME. Lk 5:28 (pt 1) AND HE LEFT (EVERYTHING) (behind), Mt 9:9 (pt 6), ref Mk 2:14 (pt 6), Lk 5:28 (pt 2) AND (so) (MATTHEW) (GOT UP), AND FOLLOWED HIM. When you come face to face with Jesus, do you follow Him, or do you make excuses? Lk 5:29 (pt 1) AND LEVI MADE HIM A GREAT FEAST IN HIS OWN HOUSE: Mt 9:10 (pt 1), ref Mk 2:15 (pt 1) AND IT CAME TO PASS, AS JESUS (WAS HAVING DINNER) (AT MATTHEW’S) HOUSE, Lk 5:29 (pt 2) AND Mt 9:10 (pt 2) BEHOLD, Lk 5:29 (pt 3) THERE WAS Mt 9:10 (pt 3) MANY Lk 5:29 (pt 4) A GREAT (CROWD) OF Mt 9:10 (pt 4), ref Mk 2:15 (pt 3), Lk 5:29 (pt 5) (TAX COLLECTORS) Mt 9:10 (pt 5), ref Mk 2:15 (pt 4) AND SINNERS Lk 5:29 (pt 6) AND OF OTHERS THAT Mt 9:10 (pt 6) CAME AND Mt 9:10 (pt 7) ref Mk 2:15 (pt 3), Lk 5:29 (pt 7) SAT Mt 9:10 (pt 8)-ref Lk 5:29 (pt 8) DOWN Mk 2:15 (pt 4) ALSO TOGETHER Lk 5:29 (pt 9) (eating) WITH THEM. Mt 9:10 (pt 9), ref Mk 2:15 (pt 5) WITH (JESUS) AND HIS DISCIPLES (at the meal). Mk 2:15 (pt 6) FOR THERE WERE MANY (of them) (among His followers), AND THEY FOLLOWED HIM. Mt 9:11 (pt 1), ref Mk 2:16 (pt 1) AND WHEN THE Mk 2:16 (pt 2) SCRIBES (or teachers of the Law–NIV) AND Mt 9:11 (pt 2), ref Mk 2:16 (pt 3) PHARISEES SAW Mt 9:11 (pt 3) IT, Mk 2:16 (pt 4) HIM EAT WITH (TAX COLLECTORS) AND SINNERS, Lk 5:30 (pt 1) BUT THEIR SCRIBES (or teachers of the Law-NIV) AND PHARISEES MURMURED (or began grumbling, or complained, or protested indignantly). Does these words fit you also? Mt 9:11 (pt 4), ref Mk 2:16 (pt 5), Lk 5:30 (pt 2) THEY SAID (TO) HIS DISCIPLES, Note, the unbelieving scribes and Pharisees seek to find fault and accuse. They (the unbelievers) did this to the disciples of Jesus (the believers), perhaps trying to cause them to have doubts regarding Jesus. They did so with a question. Beware, for in these latter days there are many, many such people that look good on the outside but inside they are wolves seeking whom they may devour. They said– Mt 9:11 (pt 5), ref Mk 2:16 (pt 6) WHY (DOES YOUR) MASTER (or teacher, or rabbi) (eat) Mk 2:16 (pt 5) AND (DRINKS) Mt 9:11 (pt 6), ref Mk 2:16 (pt 8) WITH (the) (TAX COLLECTORS) AND SINNERS? Lk 5:30 (pt 3) WHY DO (YOU) EAT AND DRINK WITH (TAX COLLECTORS) AND SINNERS? In one case they accuse Jesus of doing wrong, and in the second case they appear to accuse the disciples of doing wrong through using a question. Mt 9:12 (pt 1), ref Mk 2:17 (pt 1) BUT WHEN JESUS HEARD THAT, Mt 9:12 (pt 2), ref Mk 2:17 (pt 2) HE SAID (TO) THEM, THEY THAT BE WHOLE (or are healthy, or well) NEED NOT A (DOCTOR), BUT THEY THAT ARE SICK. In other words, if a person thinks that they are sinless or thinks they are spiritually healthy, they do not need or seek to be healed; they do not need or seek for a doctor; because they do not feel a need that their sins be forgiven. If someone believes they are a good person, perhaps better than most, why would they seek for a doctor? Jesus is the only one that can forgive of our sins. No one can enter heaven unless their sins have been forgiven. All, yes that includes you, all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. There is none that are righteous, no not one. None can enter heaven because of sin. However, because Jesus went to the cross and suffered horribly and died, and paid the penality for sin, it is now possible for a person’s sins to be forgiven them so they can ever be with the Lord–ref 1 Thes 4:17. However, to receive this forgiveness, a person MUST repent. They must believe in Jesus Christ. They must believe the Bible. They must receive the Jesus Christ of the Bible as their only hope of salvation. They must continue in the faith and be rooted and grounded in love–ref Eph 3:17. It is written: Col 1:23–If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard… The Bible also commands a person to be baptized by full immersion after repenting and believing in Jesus Christ–ref Acts 2:38 and many others also. Infant baptism, or any baptism done prior to believing in Jesus Christ and repenting has no meaning at all. Jesus continued– Mt 9:13 (pt 1) BUT GO (YOU) AND LEARN WHAT THAT (MEANS), Note what Jesus tells the unbelieving SCRIBES (or teachers of the Law-NIV) AND PHARISEES Jesus said– I WILL HAVE (or desire, or want) MERCY (or compassion), AND NOT SACRIFICE (or animal sacrifices): Mt 9:13 (pt 2), ref Mk 2:17 (pt 3), Lk 5:32 FOR I AM NOT COME TO CALL THE RIGHTEOUS, BUT SINNERS TO REPENTANCE. This is another reason Jesus came, to call sinners to repentance. He did not come to call those that would not admit they were a sinner to repentance, for if they believe they are not sick, they have no need of a doctor. Do you admit you are a sinner and have come short of the glory of God? Do you see yourself as a person that has from their youth been in rebellion to God? JESUS WAS ASKED ABOUT FASTING
Mk 2:18 (pt 1) AND THE DISCIPLES OF JOHN31 YEARS PLUS 2 MONTHS AND OF THE PHARISEES USED TO FAST (or were fasting): AND Mt 9:14 (pt 1) THEN Mk 2:18 (pt 2) THEY Mt 9:14 (pt 2), ref Mk 2:18 (pt 3) CAME Mk 2:18 (pt 4), ref Lk 5:33 (pt 1) AND Lk 5:33 (pt 2) THEY Mt 9:14 (pt 4) THE DISCIPLES OF JOHN, Lk 5:33 (pt 3), ref Mt 9:14, Mk 2:18 (pt 5) SAID Mt 9:14 (pt 3), ref Lk 5:33 (pt 4) TO HIM Mk 2:18 (pt 6) (TO) (JESUS), Mt 9:14 (pt 6), ref Mk 2:18 (pt 7), Lk 5:33 (pt 5) WHY DO Mt 9:14 (pt 7) WE Mk 2:18 (pt 8), ref Lk 5:33 (pt 6) THE DISCIPLES OF JOHN Lk 5:33 (pt 6) FAST OFTEN, AND MAKE PRAYERS, Mt 9:14 (pt 8), ref Mk 2:18 (pt 9), Lk 5:33 (pt 7) AND Lk 5:33 (pt 8) LIKEWISE THE DISCIPLES Mk 2:18 (pt 10), ref Lk 5:33 (pt 9) OF Mt 9:14 (pt 9), ref Mk 2:18 (pt 11), Lk 5:33 (pt 10) THE PHARISEES Mt 9:14 (pt 10), ref Mk 2:18 (pt 12) FAST Mt 9:14 (pt 11) (OFTEN) (or frequently), Mt 9:14 (pt 12), ref Mk 2:18 (pt 13) BUT (YOUR) DISCIPLES FAST NOT? Lk 5:33 (pt 11) BUT (YOURS) (GO ON EATING AND DRINKING–NIV)? Mt 9:15 (pt 1), ref Mk 2:19 (pt 1), Lk 5:34 (pt 1) AND JESUS SAID (TO) THEM, CAN THE CHILDREN (or attendants, or wedding guests, or friends) OF THE BRIDECHAMBER (or bridegroom) Mt 9:15 (pt 2) MOURN, Mk 2:19 (pt 2), ref Lk 5:34 (pt 2) (or) FAST, Mt 9:15 (pt 3) AS LONG AS Mk 2:19 (pt 3), ref Lk 5:34 (pt 3) (or) WHILE Mt 9:15 (pt 4), ref Mk 2:19 (pt 4), Lk 5:34 (pt 4) THE BRIDEGROOM IS WITH THEM? Mk 2:19 (pt 5) AS LONG AS THEY HAVE THE BRIDEGROOM WITH THEM, THEY CANNOT FAST (or fasting is out of the question–JNT). Jesus is saying that when He is personally present with His disciples, they cannot fast. Jesus is the Bridegroom. The verses continue– Mt 9:15 (pt 5), ref Mk 2:20 (pt 1), Lk 5:35 (pt 1) BUT THE DAYS WILL COME, WHEN THE BRIDEGROOM SHALL BE TAKEN FROM THEM, in other words the days would come then Jesus will be taken away from them. Jesus was taken away from them and crucified. But He arose from the dead and now sits at the right hand of God the Father in heaven. The verse continues– AND THEN SHALL THEY FAST(Ref Mt 6:16)-Jesus was making it clear that His church shall fast during the time He is with His Father in heaven. We may ask, why do few churches in this lukewarm generation teach fasting and do fasting while Jesus is not here? Mk 2:20 (pt 2), ref Lk 5:35 (pt 2) IN THOSE DAYS. Pastors
The writer of this recalls a time when he and others visited a certain church. The pastor had suggested that his congregation fast (as I recall) one meal. It seemed that the congregation wanted to throw the pastor out for suggesting such a thing. Do you claim to be born again? If so, do you fast? If you do not, why? The New testament clearly teaches fasting and tithing for those few that are really born again. Most congregations, in this lukewarm biblical generation perhaps don’t want to offend their flock, so they water down God’s World, and omit some subjects. Pastors that compromise God’s word and teach what people’s itching ears want to hear shall be judged very severelyIt is written: 2 Tim 2:2And the things that thou hast heard of me…the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. A born again minister (of which there are only a few) is to be a faithful man and teach the whole Bible, not leaving out parts or watering down parts to please the people he has. 1 Tim 5:17Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. A pastor and elders are to labour in all of God’s Word and doctrine, not pick and choose in order not to offend people. Ja 3:1My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. This is talking about pastors, and elders, those over his flock. Such will receive greater “CONDEMNATION” This is a very strong word. God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints. Does your church fear God? Have you ever seen a church with a marquee that said “Fear God and depart from evil” and that encourages their flock to fast. PARABLE OF THE NEW CLOTH (OR GARMENT) AND NEW WINE
31 YEARS PLUS 4 MONTHS Lk 5:36 (pt 1) AND HE (SPOKE) ALSO A PARABLE (or gave an illustration) (TO) THEM; Jesus is about to give an illustration of what being born again is about. It is an illustration of a transformation that must take place within a person. It is an example that reveals that a person must repent and change. Without this change a person will perish for eternity. Jesus said: Mt 9:16 (pt 1), ref Mk 2:21 (pt 1), Lk 5:36 (pt 2) NO MAN (PUTS) (or sows) A PIECE (or patch) Mt 9:16 (pt 2), ref Mk 2:21 (pt 2) OF NEW (or unshrunk) CLOTH (ON) AN OLD GARMENT (or coat), (or) Lk 5:36 (pt 3) OF A NEW GARMENT (ON) AN OLD (garment); Mt 9:16 (pt 3) FOR Mk 2:21 (pt 3) ELSE (if he does) Lk 5:36 (pt 4) IF (HE DOES), Mk 2:21 (pt 4), ref Mt 9:16 (pt 4) THE NEW PIECE (or patch) Mt 9:16 (pt 5) WHICH IS PUT IN Mt 9:16 (pt 6), ref Mk 2:21 (pt 5) TO FILL IT UP (PULLS) (away) FROM THE Mk 2:21 (pt 6) OLD (cloth), (or) Mt 9:16 (pt 7) GARMENT (or coat), Mt 9:16 (pt 8), ref Mk 2:21 (pt 7) AND THE (TEAR) (or hole) IS MADE WORSE. Lk 5:36 (pt 5) THEN BOTH THE NEW (MAKES) A (TEAR) (or will…continue to rip–JNT), AND THE PIECE THAT WAS TAKEN OUT OF THE NEW (WILL NOT MATCH) THE OLD. Mt 9:17 (pt 1), ref Mk 2:22 (pt 1), Lk 5:37 (pt 1) NEITHER DO MEN (POUR) NEW WINE INTO OLD BOTTLES (or wineskins): (OTHERWISE) Mk 2:22 (pt 2), ref Lk 5:37 (pt 2) THE NEW WINE (WILL) BURST Mt 9:17 (pt 2), ref Mk 2:22 (pt 3), Lk 5:37 (pt 3) THE BOTTLES Mt 9:17 (pt 3) (or wineskins will) BREAK (or burst), Mt 9:17 (pt 4), ref Mk 2:22 (pt 4), Lk 5:37 (pt 4) AND THE WINE (RUNS) OUT, AND THE BOTTLES (or wineskins) PERISH (or are ruined): Mt 9:17 (pt 5), ref Mk 2:22 (pt 5), Lk 5:38 (pt 1) BUT THEY PUT NEW WINE INTO NEW BOTTLES (or freshly prepared wineskins-JNT), The new wine may be compared with the Holy Spirit coming and dwelling in us. If the Holy Spirit comes in and finds you are still an old bottle or still an old piece of cloth, or an unrepentant person, it just does not work. The new cloth, or in this case the new wine needs to be put into a person that has repented from the heart and is willing to obey the Gospel. A person cannot grow in faith and in obedience to the Gospel apart from repentance and partaking of God’s Word. The verses continue– Mt 9:17 (pt 6), ref Lk 5:38 (pt 2) AND (in this way) BOTH ARE PRESERVED. We may say that the old piece of cloth is us. We are sinful. We are dirty. We cheat. We deceive. We lie. We do what we want to do. The center of our universe is ourselves. We are self centered. Our own ways are right in our own eyes. We get angry and mad at certain people. There may be someone that we even hate. We do what we believe we have to do to accomplish what we want to accomplish. The love of Jesus is not in our heart. We do not love our enemies. Some of us might be religious. We might go to church. We might even be a preacher, but our love, truthfulness, thoughts and our heart is not in harmony with the fruits of the Spirit, or pure love, truthfulness, and the holiness of God. Note: In this latter day, lukewarm generation which proceeds the rapture and tribulation, scriptures dealing with repentance and being baptized by full immersion after believing in Jesus Christ, plus verses dealing with obeying and studying God’s Word, and forsaking all to follow Jesus have all but disappeared. The Gospel being preached by many today is another Gospel. It is a Gospel that leads people to hell and into the tribulation. However, the Bible tells us that very few people indeed will understand these things. Indeed, as the days of Noah and Lot were, so it is in these days. The verses continue– Lk 5:39 (Besides that) NO MAN ALSO (after) HAVING DRUNK OLD WINE (IMMEDIATELY) (WISHES) (for) (the) NEW: FOR HE (SAYS), THE OLD IS BETTER (or good enough). The old wine is representative of sin, of doing things our own way, or of not trusting in God or giving glory to God, but trusting in ourselves and giving credit and glory to ourself. The old wine is centered on self. The new is centered on Jesus. Sin offers pleasure, but produces eternal damnation. People that live for the "NOW", that is, people that have drunk the old wine, believes the old sinful ways are better as they offer pleasure. Thus, why should he repent and live a life of sacrifice, self deneyal, forsaking all, plus receiving many persecutions in addition, perhaps even death. No, many may say-the old is better. But, does the old offer peace? Does the old rid a person from hate, and anger? Does the old work when the doctor says you have 4 weeks to live and you are about to face God. Does the old work when you fall into the hands of the living God who is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints? Most people live their life like there is no tomorrow, there is no God, there is no hereafter. What a horrible surprise billions of dead people have had, when they die, and found they are really still alive and are now in a place called hell-ref Luke 16. Note. The old ways do not agree with the Word or the Spirit. A person must become a New lump, and learn the New ways of God, which are after the fruits of the Spirit. A person must repent, and after continue in the faith of Jesus Christ stedfast unto the end. Life is a test. It is a test that nearly all people fail, except for a few, a very few. As stated already, sin (the old) offers pleasure but produces the second death. Note Mk 2:21-22; Mt 9:16,17 Holy Spirit is preserved. JESUS GOES TO JERUSALEM
Jn 5:1 AFTER THIS (or some time later)A MAN HEALED AT THE POOL CALLED BETHESDA 31 YEARS PLUS 6 MONTHS (PROBABLY PASSOVER–NEAR APRIL) THERE WAS A FEAST (or festival). OF THE JEWS; AND JESUS WENT UP TO JERUSALEM. This may have been the time of passover, around April. Jn 5:2 NOW THERE IS AT JERUSALEM BY THE SHEEP MARKET (or gate) A POOL, WHICH IS CALLED IN THE HEBREW TONGUE BETHESDA, HAVING FIVE PORCHES. Jn 5:3 (Here) IN THESE LAY A GREAT MULTITUDE OF (SICK) (PEOPLE), OF (the) BLIND, (LAME), (and) WITHERED (or paralyzed), WAITING FOR THE MOVING OF THE WATER. Jn 5:4 FOR AN ANGEL (of the Lord) WENT DOWN AT A CERTAIN (TIME) INTO THE POOL, AND (STIRRED UP) THE WATER: (WHOEVER) THEN FIRST AFTER THE (STIRRING UP) OF THE WATER STEPPED IN WAS MADE (WELL) OF (WHATEVER) DISEASE HE HAD. Jn 5:5 AND A CERTAIN MAN WAS THERE, WHICH HAD AN INFIRMITY (or sickness, or had been an invalid for-NIV) THIRTY AND EIGHT YEARS. Jn 5:6 WHEN JESUS SAW HIM (LYING THERE), AND (KNOWING) THAT HE HAD BEEN NOW A LONG TIME IN THAT (CONDITION), HE (SAID) (TO) HIM, (DO YOU WISH) (to) BE MADE (WELL) (or healed)? Jn 5:7 THE (INVALID) MAN ANSWERED HIM, SIR, I HAVE NO MAN, WHEN THE WATER IS (STIRRED UP), TO PUT ME INTO THE POOL: BUT WHILE I AM (TRYING) (to get in), ANOTHER (STEPS) DOWN BEFORE ME. Jn 5:8 JESUS (SAID) (TO) HIM, RISE (up), TAKE UP (YOUR) BED (or mat), AND WALK. Jn 5:9 AND IMMEDIATELY THE MAN WAS (HEALED), AND TOOK UP HIS BED (or mat), AND WALKED: AND (THAT) DAY WAS THE SABBATH. Jn 5:10 THE JEWS THEREFORE SAID (TO) HIM (THE MAN) THAT WAS CURED, IT IS THE SABBATH DAY: IT IS NOT LAWFUL (or permissible) (or it's against Torah-JNT) FOR (YOU) TO CARRY (YOUR) BED (or mat). Again and again we see example after example how that the unsaved cannot rightly discern Scripture as Satan puts wrong thoughts into their heart. Satan, who though he knows Scripture, does not understand it the same as a born-again Christian does, Satan is very successfully at deceiving the whole world-ref Rev 12:3. Jn 5:11 (But) HE ANSWERED THEM, HE THAT MADE ME (WELL), THE SAME (was the One Who-NASB) SAID (TO) ME, TAKE UP (YOUR) BED (or mat), AND WALK. Jn 5:12 THEN ASKED THEY HIM, WHAT MAN IS THAT WHICH SAID (TO) (YOU), TAKE UP (YOUR) BED, AND WALK? Jn 5:13 AND HE THAT WAS HEALED (DID NOT KNOW) WHO IT WAS: FOR JESUS HAD (SLIPPED) AWAY, A (CROWD) BEING IN THAT PLACE. Jn 5:14 AFTERWARD JESUS (FOUND) HIM IN THE TEMPLE (court), AND SAID (TO) HIM, BEHOLD, (YOU) (HAVE BEEN) MADE (WELL) (again): SIN NO MORE, LEST A WORSE THING COME (UPON) (YOU). SIN CAN BRING SICKNESS
When a person becomes sick, or something bad happens to him, sometimes it can happen because of sin. Some may have given a place to the devil to attack then because of sin. Repentance can sometimes bring healing. Going back to sin can sometimes bring even a worse thing to come upon us.REPENTANCE CAN BRING HEALING The verses continue– Jn 5:15 THE MAN DEPARTED, AND TOLD THE JEWS THAT IT WAS JESUS, WHICH HAD MADE HIM (WELL). Jn 5:16 AND (FOR THIS REASON) DID THE JEWS PERSECUTE (or began harassing) JESUS, AND SOUGHT TO SLAY HIM, BECAUSE HE HAD DONE THESE THINGS ON THE SABBATH DAY. Religious people that are unsaved but think they are saved have not the love of God in their hearts. They were sometimes the worst enemies of Jesus. They are sometimes the worst enemies of born again Christians. Self righteous, religious peoples can sometimes be among the most out–spoken and hateful accusers of the brethren. They think they understand, but the darkness that is in their heart deceives them. The verses continue– THE SON’S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FATHER
31 YEARS PLUS 6 MONTHS Jn 5:17 BUT JESUS ANSWERED THEM, MY FATHER. Note that the word "Father" is used in this verse, and also verses 18, 19, 20, 21,22,23, and 26. Jesus said of His Father that He— (IS WORKING) (TO THIS VERY DAY-NIV), AND I WORK (too). Jn 5:18 THEREFORE (for this reason) THE JEWS (TRIED) (ALL THE HARDER) TO KILL HIM, BECAUSE HE NOT ONLY HAD BROKEN THE SABBATH, BUT SAID ALSO THAT GOD WAS HIS FATHER, MAKING HIMSELF EQUAL WITH GOD. Many of the people's understanding of Scripture and of God was very distorted. It is much the same today. Many attend so called Christian churches on Sunday, yet their understanding of the Bible is darkness, not light. They have many, many false ideas in their hearts and heads. Many have a form of love on the outside, but when they are confronted with the truth of God's Holy Word, their artificial love turns to accusing, anger and hate. In addition, few, that is very few churches teach as Jesus and the apostles did in this wretched, latter day generation of blindness and nakedness. This is indeed a generation of biblical blindness and people believing they are saved when in reality God does not know them. JESUS PROVES WHO HE IS
Jn 5:19 THEN ANSWERED JESUS AND SAID (TO) THEM,TO THE BLIND UNBELIEVERS 31 YEARS PLUS 6 MONTHS (YES, INDEED), I SAY (TO) YOU (the truth), THE SON. Note that Jesus is calling himself the “Son”, that is the Son of the Father. He is saying He is the Son of God. He said the Son– CAN DO NOTHING OF HIMSELF, BUT (He can do only–NIV) WHAT HE (SEES) THE FATHER DO: FOR (WHATEVER) (THE FATHER) (DOES), THESE (things) ALSO (DOES) THE SON (IN LIKE MANNER). Jesus was saying that He could see His Father doing these things, and He did what he say His Father does, He was also saying the miracles that He did was not of himself but as His Father would do, so He would also do. We may say that He copied His Father. Jn 5:20 FOR THE FATHER (LOVES) THE SON, Jesus made it clear that His Father loved Him. Jesus had also said previously at the time of approximately 6 months into His ministry that GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE. Jesus continues by saying– AND (SHOWS) HIM ALL THINGS THAT (He) HIMSELF (DOES): AND HE WILL SHOW HIM (even) GREATER WORKS THAN THESE, THAT (YOU) MAY (BE AMAZED). Jesus was indicating that more and greater miracles were going to be coming so that the people would be amazed. Jesus had just done a miracle. Were the people thanking and praising God. No. Instead they were trying to condemn Him. The verses continue– Jn 5:21 FOR (just) AS THE FATHER (RAISES) UP THE DEAD, AND QUICKENETH THEM (or gives them life); EVEN SO THE SON (GIVES LIFE) (to) WHOM HE (WISHES). Two things are covered here. 1-The Father raises the dead and gives them life. 2-Jesus the Son gives life-that is eternal life with Him to whom He wishes. We might add to this: Pray that you be accounted worthy. Strive to enter, for it is a narrow way and a straight gate that lies before all that do. Jn 5:22 FOR (even) THE FATHER (JUDGES) NO MAN, BUT (HAS) COMMITTED ALL JUDGMENT (TO) THE SON: Jn 5:23 THAT ALL MEN SHOULD HONOR THE SON, EVEN AS THEY HONOR THE FATHER. HE THAT (DOES NOT HONOR) THE SON (DOES NOT HONOR) THE FATHER (WHO) SENT HIM (or whoever fails to honor the Son is not honoring the Father Who sent Him–JNT). Note that Jesus did not come to this earth on His own, but rather His Father sent Him to say and do exactly what He did. Jn 5:24 VERILY, VERILY (or yes indeed), I SAY (TO) YOU (the truth), HE THAT (HEARS) MY WORD (or what I am saying–JNT), AND (BELIEVES) (or trusts) ON HIM (or believes Him) THAT SENT ME, (HAS) EVERLASTING LIFE, AND SHALL NOT COME (up) (FOR) CONDEMNATION (or judgment); BUT IS (already) (CROSSED OVER) FROM DEATH (TO) LIFE. The word “believe” is little understood by nearly all. People may say, “Oh yes, I believe this or that”, but their so called belief has little or no effect on their life. The word “believe” may be defined as–a total uncompromising commitment of love and obedience. It is estimated that about 2 billion people as of 2012 claim they are a Christian. Yet in reality only a few, a very, very few have Christ dwelling inside of them as evidenced by their fruits. Only a very, very few are being changed from the inside out. Only a very, very few have become converted, and are born again, and are led by the Word and the Spirit of God. The verses continue– Jn 5:25 (YES, INDEED), I SAY (TO) YOU (the truth), THE (TIME) IS COMING, AND (in fact) NOW IS, WHEN THE DEAD SHALL HEAR THE VOICE OF THE SON OF GOD: AND THEY THAT HEAR SHALL LIVE (or come to life). Note the words: (1)–TIME IS COMING, and (2) NOW IS. (1) Consider the following verses–1Thes 4:16–18–For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (2) Mt 27:51–53 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. Jn 5:26 FOR (just) AS THE FATHER (HAS) LIFE IN HIMSELF; (even) SO (HAS) HE GIVEN TO THE SON TO HAVE LIFE IN HIMSELF; It is only possible to have eternal life through a total compromising commitment of love and obedience to Jesus Christ who is the author and finisher of our faith–ref Heb 12:2. We are to conform to the image of Christ–ref Ro 8:29. And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him–Col 3:10. The verses continue– Jn 5:27 AND (He) which is the Father, (HAS) GIVEN HIM which is the Son, AUTHORITY TO EXECUTE JUDGMENT ALSO, BECAUSE HE IS THE SON OF MAN. It is written Col 1:16–18 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible,…And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. The verses continue– Jn 5:28 (DON’T BE SURPRISED) AT THIS: FOR THE (TIME) IS COMING, (WHEN) ALL THAT ARE IN THE GRAVES SHALL HEAR HIS VOICE, Jn 5:29 AND SHALL COME FORTH; THEY THAT HAVE DONE GOOD, (TO) THE RESURRECTION OF LIFE; AND THEY THAT HAVE DONE EVIL, (TO) THE RESURRECTION OF DAMNATION (or judgment) (to be condemned). Two groups of people and two time periods are covered in this verse. The first group are those that have done good or we may say have done the will of God and obeyed the Scriptures. The second group are those that have done evil and have not obeyed the Scriptures. The two time periods are these. The resurrection of life comes at the time of the rapture (or what is biblically called the caught up or translation). It is written: 1 Thes 4:16–18 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. Those that have part in the resurrection of life are those that overcometh. It is written He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death–Rev 2:11. Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. In contrast to the resurrection of life, there is the resurrection of damnation (which is also called the second death–ref Rev 1:11). It comes after the millennium. It is written Rev 20:5,6–But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. RESURRECTION OF THE JUST
Luke 14:14-And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.Luke 20:35,36–But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. John 11:25,26–Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? Rev 20:5,6–This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. Note the following Scriptures regarding the SECOND DEATH
Rev 20:14–15–And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.Rev 21:8–But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Rev 20:11–15–And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. It is written: Rev 21:8–But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. THE SUBJECT OF LIARS
Isa 44:24–25–The LORD,…That frustrateth (or foils) the tokens (or signs) of the liars (or false prophets), and maketh diviners mad (or makes fools of); that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish; (or who overthrows the learning of the wise and turns it into nonsense).Deut 33:29–Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places. Jer 50:36–A sword is upon the liars; and they shall dote: a sword is upon her mighty men; and they shall be dismayed. 1 Tim 1:9,10–Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine. Note that lying is associated with some of the worst of sins. Rev 2:1–2–Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear (or tolerate) them which are evil (or wicked): and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars (or false). Note this church cannot bear them which are evil which includes liars. It is written: Rev 21:8–But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. This verse relates lying as being among the worst sins. It is interesting that it does not say “all” the fearful, or all the murderers, will go to the lake of fire, but it does say “all” Liars. One might wonder if God says this because not only do liars lie to other people, they also lie to themselves. Does a person that lies to others believe he will go to the lake of fire? Of course not, thus he lies to himself because the Bible says he will indeed be a partaker of the second death. He may try to cover his sins by lying, but his sins remain and cannot be hid from God. That means he is also a fearful person, trying to keep others from discovering his sins. He seems much more afraid of men finding out about his sins, than he cares about God knowing about his sins. It would seem he fears men more than God. Do you practice lying to cover up your sins or to cover up things you do not want people to know about you. Lying is associated with the worst of sins. It seems as if a person that is a liar, can look like a Christian, but inwardly, the lying spirit, causes them not to fear God as they ought and not to believe God’s Word as it is written. Their lying spirit causes them to believe they will go to heaven when in reality they are doomed to hell. Yet there is hope for even a liar for it is written: Titus 1:12–13,15,16–One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith. This seems to give the principle that a liar is not sound in the faith. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they might be able to become sound in the faith. Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. A person that practices lying obviously does not fear God, or the judgment, or hell. A person that practices lying is self centered, often times wanting to cover his sins, for fear of what a person might think if they knew what he did–thus self centered and fearful. A person that is a liar does not understand that God can expose his sin, no matter how much he tries to hide it. In other words, a practicing liar does not understand God, nor do they understand the Scriptures as a repentant born again Christian does. Else they would have long ago put away lying and whatever sins they may be trying to hide. Do you practice lying. Is there some hidden sin you are trying to cover up? Jesus continues: Jn 5:30 I CAN OF (MY) OWN SELF DO NOTHING: AS I HEAR, I JUDGE: AND MY JUDGMENT IS (RIGHTEOUS); BECAUSE I SEEK NOT (MY) OWN WILL, BUT THE WILL OF THE FATHER (WHO) SENT ME. Jesus could only do His Father’s will. He sought not his own will but His Fathers. Jesus came to this earth because His Father had sent him. Each of us need to ask ourselves-do we do only our Father’s will? Do we seek not our own will but our Father’s will? Jn 5:31 IF I (alone) (TESTIFY) OF MYSELF (or on My own behalf–JNT), MY WITNESS (or testimony) IS NOT (VALID). Jn 5:32 THERE IS ANOTHER THAT (BEARS) WITNESS OF ME; AND I KNOW THAT THE WITNESS (or testimony) WHICH HE (BEARS) OF ME IS (VALID). The witness Jesus is talking of is the Father. The Word of God, the Bible bears witness of Jesus. Beginning with verses from Genesis, many verses bear witness of the Son of God. Jn 5:33 (YOU) (have) SENT (TO) JOHN, AND HE (HAS BORNE) WITNESS (TO) THE TRUTH. Jesus is the truth. John the Baptist testified of Jesus. Jn 5:34 BUT I RECEIVE NOT TESTIMONY FROM MAN: BUT THESE THINGS I (MENTION), THAT (YOU) MIGHT BE SAVED. The purpose of Jesus coming, the purpose of the witnesses and testimonies regarding Him, the purpose of the miracles He did were all the same. It was that you might be saved. Jn 5:35 (JOHN) WAS A BURNING AND A SHINING LIGHT: Jesus is talking of John the Baptist. AND (YOU) WERE WILLING FOR A (WHILE) TO REJOICE IN (or enjoy) HIS LIGHT. Regarding John the Baptist, The Scriptures tell us: JOHN THE BAPTIST
Mt 11:11-15-Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.GREATER. Verses in the Bible using the word “greater”. Lk 7:28-For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. Mt 12:41-The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. Lk 11:32-The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. Mt 12:42-The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here. Lk 11:31-The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here. Jesus is saying that of those that are born of women, there is none greater than John the Baptist. But then he states that He is greater than even John. He further states that He is greater than Jonas (or Jona), or Solomon. Solomon was the greatest man of wisdom ever on this earth, even those of the far east, yet Jesus states He is greater than Solomon. The verses continue– Jn 5:36 BUT I HAVE GREATER WITNESS THAN THAT OF JOHN: FOR THE (very) WORKS WHICH THE FATHER (HAS) GIVEN ME TO (ACCOMPLISH), THE SAME WORKS THAT I DO, BEAR WITNESS (ON MY BEHALF), THAT THE FATHER (HAS) SENT ME. Then Jesus states there is even a greater witness than John regarding himself. That witness or proof that He is the greatest that has ever been on this earth is the works or miracles that He does. Those works (or miracles) Jesus states was given to Him to do by His Father (which is God). He further states later in Jn 15:24–If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father Jn 5:37 AND THE FATHER HIMSELF, (WHO) SENT ME, (HAS) BORNE WITNESS OF ME. What does that mean? What we call the Old testament had many prophecies relating to the coming of the Christ, the Messiah. These testified that He would be the Son of God,. They testified when He would come, and far more. Thus, His Father, speaking through many prophets in the Scriptures were a witness that He is exactly whom He is claiming. He is the Christ, the One that the people were expecting would come one day. 1. John Baptist bore witness of Jesus 2. The miracles Jesus did, which no man ever did, bore witness of Jesus–ref Jn 15:24. 3. The Father, the Word of God, the Scriptures bore witness of Jesus. All three of these prove that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God. He is come in the flesh. Then Jesus makes a startling statement. He said– (YOU) HAVE NEITHER HEARD HIS VOICE AT ANY TIME, (OR) SEEN HIS SHAPE (or form). He was saying to the people they have never heard the voice of His Father. Many today think they hear God speaking to them, but the one they hear in their thoughts and heart, is the voice of deceit, as it is written: Satan which deceiveth the whole world–ref Rev 12:9. Jn 5:38 AND (YOU) HAVE NOT HIS WORD ABIDING IN YOU (or His Word does not stay in you–JNT): He further stated that the Word of God, that is the Word of what we call the Old Testament was not abiding in these people. Jesus is the Word. They did not believe His Word in the Old Testament, neither did they believe the words which He was speaking to them in their ears. Jesus continues— (BECAUSE) WHOM HE HATH SENT, HIM (YOU) BELIEVE (or trust) NOT. He then states the proof of what He is saying is true, is the fact that these very people were not believing the words that He was speaking nor did they trust in Him. Indeed, the Words that Jesus was speaking was of His Father, but neither could they understand this. We might ask, how could He know this? How could Jesus know what they believed or believed not? The only possible answer is that He is whom He claimed, the Son of God which knows all things. So many people in the past and today claim they are saved, but the Word of God does not abide or stay in them. They claim they know God, but they do not obey His Word. They obey their own thoughts, their own desires, their own ways, and think they are obeying God when in fact it is the stranger’s voice, the devil. They cannot be corrected. They are not childlike to correction. They desire no correction if it disagrees with what they incorrectly believe is correct. Thus people think they are in the light when in fact they are in darkness. The darkness has blinded their eyes, their thoughts, their understanding. They are positive they understand, but they are positively wrong. Wherefore by a person’s fruits, a person in the light can know them. The verses continue– Jn 5:39 (You) (diligently) SEARCH (or study) THE SCRIPTURES; (BECAUSE) (that) (BY) THEM (YOU) THINK (that) (YOU) (POSSESS) ETERNAL LIFE. By the Scriptures many think they have eternal life, yet they do not. The verse continues— AND (IT IS THESE) (very Scriptures) WHICH (BEAR WITNESS) OF ME. As stated above, what we call the Old Testament testifies of the one that was to come, the Christ, and it even testified when He was to come. Jn 5:40 AND (yet) (YOU) (REFUSE TO) COME TO ME, THAT (YOU) MIGHT HAVE LIFE. Jesus is saying that to receive eternal life, a person must come to Him, must believe in Him, must trust in Him. Do you believe in Jesus and obey Him? Do you trust in Him and Him alone as your only hope of salvation? These people thought they had eternal life, and yet they refused to come to Jesus and obey Him, so that they might have life. The verses continue– Jn 5:41 I RECEIVE NOT HONOR (or glory) FROM MEN. Jn 5:42 BUT I (do) KNOW YOU (people), THAT (YOU) HAVE NOT THE LOVE OF GOD IN (YOURSELVES) (or in your hearts) (or you have no love for God in you–JNT). These did not love Jesus. These did not love God’s Word which Jesus spoke. They did not love the Father. In the same way, people today, claim they know God, but His Word is not in them. They think they are in the light, but are in darkness. When they are corrected, the love of God in not in them. They are not humble, meek, repentant, or childlike to correction from God’s Word given to them by God’s Word of their minister. Those that obey His commandments love Him. Jesus knows who has the Love of God in them and who does not. The verses continue– Jn 5:43 I AM COME IN MY FATHER’S NAME, AND (YOU) RECEIVE ME NOT: Some listened to His word, but they did not receive it. Accept Jesus as many teach is not in the KJV. Receive Jesus is. Have you received Jesus? Do you understand the huge difference? IF ANOTHER SHALL COME IN HIS OWN NAME, HIM (YOU) WILL RECEIVE. If the antichrist shall come in his own name, him you will receive. The number of the antichrist’s name is 666. While many will receive the antichrist, some will not. Most that do not can expect to be greatly tortured, then beheaded. This is the kind of faith you must have. Few have that kind of faith today. The verses continue– Jn 5:44 HOW CAN (YOU) BELIEVE (or trust), WHICH RECEIVE HONOR (or glory, or praise) ONE OF ANOTHER, Most people are much more concerned with what people think about them, rather than God. They may want to stay connected to people, and have many friends, rather than being concerned about their eternal future. The verse continues– AND (yet) SEEK NOT THE HONOR (or glory, or praise) THAT (COMES) FROM GOD ONLY? (or How can you trust? You’re busy collecting praise from each other, instead of seeking praise from God only–JNT.) Jn 5:45 DO NOT THINK THAT I WILL ACCUSE YOU (BEFORE) THE FATHER: THERE IS ONE THAT (ACCUSES) YOU, EVEN MOSES, IN WHOM (YOU) TRUST (or have set your hope-NIV) (or Do you know who will accuse you? [Moses], the very one you have counted on!–JNT). What do you trust in the most? Is it Christ and Christ alone? Jn 5:46 FOR HAD (YOU) (really) BELIEVED MOSES, (YOU) WOULD HAVE BELIEVED ME: (BECAUSE) HE WROTE (ABOUT) ME. Moses wrote of the coming of the Christ. It is written in Deut 18:18,19–I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him. Jn 5:47 BUT IF (YOU) BELIEVE NOT HIS WRITINGS, HOW SHALL (YOU) BELIEVE MY WORDS? Supposedly, the people trusted in Moses, and what he said. Yet Moses wrote about the coming of the Christ, which is Jesus, yet they would not believe. Thus, even though they said they trusted in Moses and what he wrote, in truth they did not, for if they had believed Moses, they would have received Jesus. (THROUGH THE CORN FIELDS)
Jesus had been in Jerusalem, Now he is going through the corn fields.PICKING CORN ON THE SABBATH DAY 31 YEARS PLUS 7 MONTHS Lk 6:1 (pt 1) AND IT CAME TO PASS ON THE SECOND SABBATH AFTER THE FIRST, Mt 12:1 (pt 1) AT Mt 12:1 (pt 2), ref Lk 6:1 (pt 2)– THAT Mt 12:1 (pt 3) TIME Mt 12:1 (pt 4), ref Lk 6:1 (pt 3) JESUS WENT Mt 12:1 (pt 5) ON THE SABBATH DAY Mt 12:1 (pt 6), ref Lk 6:1 (pt 4) THROUGH THE CORN (or grainfields); Mk 2:23 (pt 1) AND IT CAME TO PASS, THAT HE WENT THROUGH THE CORN (or grain, or wheat) FIELDS ON THE SABBATH DAY; Mt 12:1 (pt 7), ref Mk 2:23 (pt 2), Lk 6:1 (pt 5) AND HIS DISCIPLES Mt 12:1 (pt 8) WERE (HUNGRY), AND Mt 12:1 (pt 10), ref Mk 2:23 (pt 3)– BEGAN Mk 2:23 (pt 4) AS THEY (WALKED ALONG) (their way), Mt 12:1 (pt 11), ref Mk 2:23 (pt 5) TO Mt 12:1 (pt 12), ref Mk 2:23 (pt 6), Lk 6:1 (pt 6) PLUCK THE EARS OF CORN (or heads of grain), Mt 12:1 (pt 13), ref Lk 6:1 (pt 7) AND TO EAT. Lk 6:1 (pt 8) RUBBING THEM IN THEIR HANDS. Mt 12:2 (pt 1) BUT WHEN THE PHARISEES SAW IT, Mk 2:24 (pt 1), ref Lk 6:2 (pt 1) AND Mt 12:2 (pt 2) THEY Lk 6:2 (pt 2) CERTAIN OF Mk 2:24 (pt 2), ref Lk 6:2 (pt 3) THE PHARISEES Mt 12:2 (pt 3), ref Mk 2:24 (pt 3)-Lk 6:2 (pt 4) SAID Mt 12:2 (pt 4), ref Mk 2:24 (pt 4) (TO) HIM, Lk 6:2 (pt 5) (or) (TO) THEM, Mt 12:2 (pt 5) (LOOK!), Mk 2:24 (pt 5) (SEE HERE), Mk 2:24 (pt 6), ref Lk 6:2 (pt 6) WHY Mk 2:24 (pt 7), ref Lk 6:2 (pt 7) DO Lk 6:2 (pt 8) (YOU) Mk 2:24 (pt 8) (or) THEY Mt 12:2 (pt 6) (YOUR) DISCIPLES Mt 12:2 (pt 7), ref Mk 2:24 (pt 9) DO Mt 12:2 (pt 8), ref Mk 2:24 (pt 11), Lk 6:2 (pt 9) THAT WHICH IS NOT LAWFUL Mt 12:2 (pt 9), ref Lk 6:2 (pt 10) TO DO Mt 12:2 (pt 10), ref Mk 2:24 (pt 10), Lk 6:2 (pt 11)-UPON (or are violating) THE SABBATH Mt 12:2 (pt 11), ref Mk 2:24 (pt 11) DAY. Lk 6:2 (pt 12) (or) DAYS (or Why are you violating Shabbat–JNT)? In saying this, Jesus shows us in Mt 12:7 that they are condemning the guiltless. Rev 12:10 shows us that Satan is the accuser of our brethren. Those that follow Satan do the works of Satan. If the worldly minded people wrongly accused those that followed Jesus then, so they do the same today. Satan knows Scripture, but despite his great super intelligence or wisdom, he does not understand it correctly. He understands the things that be of men, but not of God-ref Mt 16:23. He is able to easily deceive the unsaved. However once a person comes to Jesus by faith and receives the Holy Spirit, as they grow in the wisdom and knowledge of God’s Word, it becomes more difficult for the devil to deceive them. God does promise His children they not be tempted beyond that they are able–1 Cor 10:13. Mt 12:3 (pt 1), ref Mk 2:25 (pt 1), Lk 6:3 (pt 1) BUT Mt 12:3 (pt 2), ref Mk 2:25 (pt 2) HE Lk 6:3 (pt 2) JESUS ANSWERING THEM Mk 2:25 (pt 3), ref Lk 6:3 (pt 3) SAID Mt 12:3 (pt 4), ref Mk 2:25 (pt 4) (TO) THEM, Mt 12:3 (pt 5), ref Mk 2:25 (pt 5), Lk 6:3 (pt 4) HAVE (YOU) NOT READ Lk 6:3 (pt 5) SO MUCH AS THIS, Yes, they had read, but they could not rightly divide God’s Word. The verse continues– Mt 12:3 (pt 6), ref Mk 2:25 (pt 6), Lk 6:3 (pt 6) WHAT DAVID DID, WHEN Mt 12:3 (pt 7), ref Mk 2:25 (pt 7) HE Lk 6:3 (pt 7) HIMSELF Mk 2:25 (pt 8 (WAS IN) NEED AND Mt 12:3 (pt 8), ref Mk 2:25 (pt 9), Lk 6:3 (pt 8) WAS (HUNGRY), Mk 2:25 (pt 10) HE, Mt 12:3 (pt 9), ref Mk 2:25 (pt 11), Lk 6:3 (pt 9) AND Mk 2:25 (pt 12) THEY Mt 12:3 (pt 10), ref Mk 2:25 (pt 13), Lk 6:3 (pt 11) THAT WERE Mt 12:3 (pt 11), ref Lk 6:3 (pt 12) WITH HIM; Mt 12:3 (pt 12). ref Mk 2:25 (pt 14), Lk 6:3 (pt 10) (HIS COMPANIONS) Mt 12:4 (pt 1), ref Mk 2:26 (pt 1), Lk 6:4 (pt 1) HOW HE ENTERED INTO THE HOUSE OF GOD, Mk 2:26 (pt 2) IN THE DAYS OF ABIATHAR THE HIGH PRIEST, Lk 6:4 (pt 2) AND DID TAKE Mk 2:26 (pt 3), ref Mt 12:4 (pt 2), Lk 6:4 (pt 3) AND DID EAT THE SHOWBREAD (or consecrated bread, or Bread of the Presence–JNT), Mk 2:26 (pt 10), ref Lk 6:4 (pt 4) AND (he) GAVE (it) ALSO TO THEM WHICH WERE WITH HIM? Mt 12:4 (pt 3), ref Mk 2:26 (pt 4), Lk 6:4 (pt 5) WHICH Lk 6:4 (pt 6) IT Mt 12:4 (pt 4), ref Mk 2:26 (pt 5) WAS NOT LAWFUL Mt 12:4 (pt 5), ref Mk 2:26 (pt 6), Lk 6:4 (pt 8) FOR HIM Mt 12:4 (pt 6), ref Mk 2:26 (pt 7), Lk 6:4 (pt 9) TO EAT, Mt 12:4 (pt 7) NEITHER FOR (HIS COMPANIONS) WHICH WERE WITH HIM, Mt 12:4 (pt 8), ref Mk 2:26 (pt 8), Lk 6:4 (pt 10) BUT Mt 12:4 (pt 9) ONLY Mt 12:4 (pt 10), ref Mk 2:26 (pt 9, Lk 6:4 (pt 11) FOR THE PRIESTS? Lk 6:4 (pt 12) ALONE? Mt 12:5 OR HAVE (YOU) NOT READ IN THE LAW, HOW THAT ON THE SABBATH DAYS THE PRIESTS IN THE TEMPLE PROFANE (or break, or desecrate) THE SABBATH, AND ARE BLAMELESS (or innocent)? BECOMING A BORN AGAIN CHRISTIAN AND GROWING?
I imagine some of you right here, right now, are an expert as I may have been.ARE YOU REALLY A CHRISTIAN? ARE YOU WILLING TO SURRENDER ALL TO JESUS OR JUST SOME THINGS? INTRODUCTION #1 “Listen very carefully” I am an expert. You may say, in what are you an expert? I am an expert at being able to sit in a church, and look like I am very attentive to what is being said, but when I walk out, I can not tell you a single word that the preacher said. Let me repeat that. I am an expert at being able to sit in a church, and look like I am listening carefully, but when I walk out, I can not tell you a single thing that the teacher said. Let me repeat that. I am an expert at being able to sit in a church, but I don’t hear a single word the preacher says, because I am thinking of other things while the preacher teaches. Let me repeat that. I am an expert at thinking of things I want to do later today, tomorrow, or next week. So while the preacher teaches, I don’t hear or understand a thing. Does this describe you? Yes, you may be an expert at these things, Yes, you may be an expert at sleeping in church, dozing in service, sleeping with your eyes open, or day–dreaming in the service, or an expert of not hearing one word the preacher says, but what will you do when you are cast into the lake of fire? Will you also be an expert at figuring out how to get out? Even Satan can’t do that. INTRODUCTION #2
Summary of the difference between an 1–unbeliever, 2–a carnal, or worldly Christian, 3–one that is growing, 4–and one that is spiritually minded. Did you know that Romans teaches that the carnally minded Christian will perish?“Various stages, beginning with being unsaved” #1–A person that is not born again (an unbeliever) is in spiritual darkness. This life is their everything. East, drink, be merry, and make money is their life. Lusts, pleasures, riches, and the cares of this life dominate them, Once they die, hell awaits them, and finally the eternal lake of fire. They may be an atheist, or part of any one of about 25,000 religions. None of these understand in their heart, that hell is waiting for them. Satan’s job is to keep them in darkness by using every thing imaginable. He has the power to deceive the whole world, but few even believe that Satan exists–Rev 12:3. #2–Next is the carnal or worldly, or new born Christian. These supposedly have repented and trusted in Jesus for their salvation. Once they become born again, they need to grow in the Lord. They need to start being conformed to His image. Their attitude needs a complete turn–around, a complete overhaul. Their attitude and thinking needs to begin to change to be like Christ’s attitude. Their attitude need to begin to encompass the fruits of the Spirit of God. They need to put off what the Bible calls the old man–the man of sin, the man of anger, mistrust, being short tempered, getting easily irritated, strifeful, and far more. They need to put on the new man which is after Christ. Satan’s job here is to stop that from happening. Satan has at his disposal an incredible amount of things and devises he can use to stop a Christian from growing. His main weapon is deception, and his first device is stealth. A person that thinks Satan can be stamped under their feet, or that believes he does not exist, is already blind, and in denial of what God’s Word says. Satan can use every pleasure in the world. He can give a person riches and fame. He can make a person believe that his voice is actually God’s voice telling them what to do. He can use persecutions, hardships, the cares of this life, the deceitfulness of riches, the lusts of all sorts of things, and every pleasure imaginable to stop a Christian’s growth, to stop a Christian from reading their Bible too much. He can use fear, and even a person’s love for animals, people, or things. He is a grand–master at getting a stronghold in people’s lives through everything from sports to sex to loneliness and even a desire to always want to be around people or wanting to be important. Satan succeeds at hindering, and finally causing to fall almost everyone that becomes born again. He can use sickness and the death of a loved one, which causes you to get angry at God. Virtually everyone underestimates the devil–contrary to Rev 12:3. Satan is behind nearly every church of every kind, unless it is a God fearing, repentant, Jesus Who is come in the flesh church with a born again (hopefully) spiritually minded pastor. Even the lukewarm Christian church is not of God, because Jesus is on the outside knocking on their door. Christian churches that only do sprinkling baptisms and baby baptisms (which is Satan’s counterfeit) are dead. It is very, very, very difficult in this latter day generation to find a good, spiritually minded born again Christian church. What you see on the television and on the internet is a mirror of what the churches are like today. If you think today’s churches are ok, you are in deep, deep, deep deception, and are very shallow in understanding God’s Word. Heb 5:13–6:3–…every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. Milk is the principles of the doctrine of Christ,…repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,…Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. Milk is for those that are carnal, and worldly. They are new Christians, or old Christians that have grown very little, which are nearly all in this latter day generation. #3.–are those Christians that are no longer baby Christians, and are growing toward becoming spiritually minded, and being perfect. The preaching of perfection, (the meat of God’s Word) has almost completely disappeared from the world’s churches today. #4–Last there is being spiritually minded. This is a person that has resisted even to the shedding of blood, Satan’s tricks, schemes, diversions, detours, and countless other obstacles he has at his disposal. The spiritually minded Christian has above all, stayed in God’s Word. He does not read only a verse or two a day. He has not let life’s diversions and pleasures, even sickness stop him from being in God’s Word faithfully somehow. He has become a student of the Bible. He has put on the fruits of the Spirit of God. His love for God and his brothers in Christ is unwavering. He has overcome every obstacle that Satan has thrown at him, including fear, jail, being falsely accused, being beaten, and every temptation imaginable, even a lack of a place to lay his head, being hungary and without money. He never took his eyes off Jesus the author and finisher of his faith. He overcome every test, every obstacle that Satan threw at him. That sir, is faith. It is written, Heb 4:15–regarding Jesus: For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. He has grown from being a very worldly Christian to being a spiritually minded Christian, a Christian that is conformed to the image of Christ, a Christian that acts like Christ, that thinks like Christ, and brings forth the fruits of the Spirit. He is willing to die for Christ because he has already died to himself. By reason of use, he has his senses exercised to discern both good and evil- He shall hear God saying WELL DONE THOU GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT. THOU HAST BEEN FAITHFUL. He multiplied the talents God had given him. His attitude, no matter what he went through, was love. This is God’s will for you. Few, few, few people will inherit eternal life, especially in this latter day generation. If you understood God’s Word you would know this. Heb 6:1-3- LET US GO ON UNTO PERFECTION;…AND THIS WILL WE DO, IF GOD PERMIT. What is perfection? It is for THEM THAT ARE OF FULL AGE, EVEN THOSE WHO BY REASON OF USE HAVE THEIR SENSES EXERCISED TO DISCERN BOTH GOOD AND EVIL. These are spiritually minded. INTRODUCTION #3
God created you. You are not some accident that just happened. From before the foundation of the world, God had already ordained when and even where you would be born. You were born to be tested to see if you would admit you are a sinner, be willing to repent, and follow Jesus. Satan was created to try and stop you by putting both obstacles in your path and evil thoughts in your mind.. You're heart determines which way you will go. God loves you so much he died for your sins. That forgiveness and key to heaven is yours, if you will repent, deny yourself and pick up your cross daily and follow him during your short time on this earth.What Jesus did for you. What are you willing to do for Jesus? How much does Jesus love you? Consider. He was arrested. He was mocked, ridiculed, spit on, beaten, a crown of thorns was inbeded in his head, and blood flowed down his face. His flesh was torn off as he was whipped with a whip inbeded with nails and other cutting devices.. Some believe even his organs were exposed. He was tortured and beaten and tortured again. He was surrounded by people that hated him beyond any understanding. This was God’s only begotten son, and Satan wanted him butchered, and indeed, he was. But before he died, he suffered, and suffered, and suffered. The pain he must have endured before his death was unspeakable, and it lasted for hours. They hammered spikes through his hands and feet. All of his bones were out of joint. His tongue cleaved to his jaws. HIM APPEARANCE AS HE HUNG ON THE CROSS DYING IN AGONY, WAS SO DISFIGURED BEYOND THAT OF ANY MAN AND HIS FORM BEYOND HUMAN LIKENESS–ref Isa 52:14. His beard was ripped off his face. He looked like a truck had run over him, then he died. This is what Christ did for you, so that you might have forgiveness of your sins. This friend, is love. So we should love him because he first loved us. Won't you love Him in return and obey Him? Aren–t you willing to forsake all and follow Him after what he suffered for you? He loves you, and asks of you to repent, deny yourself, follow Him, and obey His word. Is He asking too much of you? And inexchange for surrendering to Him, he gives you life everlasting, but far more than this. He gives you eternal peace and rewards that are beyond anything we can imagine right now. He gave His life for you, won't you give your life for Him? Is your heart inside you so hard, that despite what he did you, you, still want to live your life your own way, and have fun? If you refuse that love, and will not repent and receive the forgiveness of your sins, then you will pay the penalty for your own sins, and that sir is so horrible, words cannot describe it. It is torment in fire that will never, never cease. Rejecting Christ–s love is eternal torment. So, if you love this world, you had better think carefully, are you willing to suffer for eternity, in exchange for a few years of doing your own will and pleasure now? MAIN TEXT
Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the WORD OF GOD. There is no growth where there is no faith, and there is no faith apart from reading, studying, and hearing God’s Word, plus obeying it, and letting it change you.“Growing” Becoming saved is only a starting point. Now one must begin to grow with the goal of being spiritually minded and conformed to the image of Christ. A requirement for a spiritually minded Christian is to have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil–ref Heb 5:14. They need a pure heart–ref 1 Tim 1:5, 1 Pe 1:22. They need to have spent much time in God’s Word over many years, purifying their heart by obeying the truth–ref 1 Pe 1:22. How can a person rightly divide God’s Word as the apostles did, unless they have a good knowledge of God’s Word, through much study, and are led by God’s Spirit, and have purified their heart? Satan knows God’s Word well, but is unable to rightly divide God’s Word correctly, because he is full or pride and evil. Thus unsaved people, and even worldly Christians, though they have read the Bible a hundred times and memorized all 66 books, cannot rightly divide God’s Word and understand it the way God has given for it to be understood. They hear Satan’s voice in their head, but they do not recognize it is Satan’s voice, so that is what they follow. They divide God’s Word the same as Satan does. Over, and over, and over Jesus corrected the religious leaders of His time who were not of God, showing them the error of their understanding. Did they repent? Only a few did. As it is written, the darkness has blinded their eyes. Repentance, Humbleness, brokenness, the fear of the Lord, a pure heart, and love– – –is at the heart of understanding the Scriptures as Jesus did. Can prideful, self willed, self centered people understand the Bible correctly? Absolutely not, yet some think they can. If they will not repent, and humble themself, they will perish. Are you easily corrected? or are you stiff–necked, rebellious, and self centered? Jesus corrected the Pharisees, yet most were uncorrectable. “Being Born Again”
We might say that becoming a born again Christian, and how he grows can be understood in this way.
To become a born again Christian, first a person must admit they are a sinner. Then they must believe in the Jesus Christ of the Bible. They must believe and understand that Christ died and shed His blood for their sins, that He paid the penalty that had to be paid for their sins. Thus we love Him because He first loved us and did this for us. We must believe that He rose from the dead and now sets at the right hand of God the Father making intercession for the saints. If we believe on the Jesus of the Bible, and what He did for us, then we must repent of our sins and humble ourselves. We must forsake our sins. If we believe in Jesus Christ and if we repent, we are under commandment to be baptized by full immersion. Sprinkling baptism, or being baptized before repenting or believing on Jesus Christ is no baptism at all. It is Satan's counterfeit. It is written, Ro 6:4–Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death (or buried by water): that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. We are to be buried in the water, and as we come out, we are coming out into the newness of life. We are to be a new creature, a new man. Buried in the water regarding baptism is confirmed also in Col 2:12. Run, don't walk from a church that does only sprinkling baptism. If they cannot understand such a simple thing as how to be baptized according to the Bible, how can they possibly understand the more difficult things???? No one is born, a Christian. This is another of Satan’s lies he puts in our heads. No one is a Christian because he goes to a Christian church. This is another of Satan’s lies. Becoming born again, is the beginning of a journey of many trials, tests, and the unforeseen. Satan is waiting for us, to try us, to trick us, to get us to go back to the ways we were before we repented. He knows our every weakness far better than we know ourselves. He knows what unrepentant desires you have in your heart. He knows the things of this world that you would love to do or have that you have not repented of. Thus if you haven’t denied yourself in some area, you are meet for Satan to deceive and devour. He understands the things that be of men-ref Mt 16:23. The journey that God has set before us involves letting God transform us to be conformed to the image of Christ. Heb 12:1–Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, (or we may say every obstacle) and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. We may say this is first grade in school. A first grader doesn’t know much. He must learn the alphabet and numbers. A first grader is unskillful in reading and in adding or subtracting. In the same way, a brand new Christian is unskillful in God’s Word. He is a baby Christian. Beware of pride which Satan puts in your hearts, making you think you know more than you do. It can kill you fast. The closer a person is to the light, the more they can see the dirt. A new born again Christian is still a long way from the light. The closer a person is to the light, the more he is humbled, the more he loves, and the more he understands how far he has to go to be conformed to the image of Christ. New Christians if they think of themselves more highly than what the Bible says of them, are becoming prideful already, and have opened a wide door for Satan to attack them. Beware. No matter how much a person has gone to church, no matter how much a person had read the Bible, no matter how many sermons a person has listened to, no matter how much money a person has given to their church, no matter how many times a person has been baptized, until they believe in Jesus Christ and His finished work, repent, humble themselves, (note I said humble themselves), become childlike to correction, and then obey God’s commandment to be baptized by full immersion, they are not born again. They need to learn to fear God, for it is written GOD IS GREATLY TO BE FEARED IN THE ASSEMBLY OF THE SAINTS–Ps 89:7. “First Grade”
Once a person come out of the water into the newness of life, they are born again but only if they have faith in Christ as their only hope and truly repent. A prideful person, or a person that hangs onto one sin intentionally, has not repented. Once born again, they are the same as a child that is in first grade. If they think otherwise, then they are already beginning to be deceived. Pride and self centeredness are spiritual killers. Loving this world and the things in this world is a spiritual killer. Hear what follows again.If a person has memorized the entire Bible, and done many wonderful works, yet until they truly humble themselves and repent as the Bible says to do, in both deed and in truth, they are not saved. And when they become saved, they are only in the first grade. They do not start in the second grade even if they can quote God’s word backward. Their faith and trust is at a first grade level. Often a new born Christian that has a spiritual background will try to instruct others, but they themselves are a babe in Christ. In doing so they can mislead many, and if they cause one of these little ones to go astray, woe to them. This is a big problem for those that fall away from Christ, or those that have been in a Christian church all their life. Because Satan puts in their mind they are something above a 1st grade, and their prideful heart wants to believe it, they quickly become a victim of the devil. Why is this? They do not want to believe that they are only a carnal, worldly, lukewarm, first grade Christian. It is as we might say, beneath their dignity. In essence they have not crucified themself, denied they self or died to themself. Little or no humbleness, is spiritual death. As a person studies the Scriptures faithfully, and obeys them, he should begin to grow. Excuse makers, accusers, and contentious Christians are already going in the wrong direction. Disobedience to the Scriptures can stop his growth, just as refusing to eat food can cause a person's growth to be hindered. If a person stops eating food for too long, they die. If a person does not partake of God’s word as they ought, they spiritually die. We stand only by faith and faith comes only come through God’s Word–plain and simple. If we are faithful in Bible reading, and continue to humble ourselves and obey God’s Word, and continue to repent, and if we start dying to ourselves and denying ourselves in accordance with God’s Word, we begin to grow and then graduate to second grade. If we stop reading or studying God’s Word faithfully, we shrink back and dry up. “Second grader”
Yet, as a second grader. they are still a baby Christian, and their understanding is still very shallow. Some people grow spiritually more quickly than others because they are purifying their heart in obeying God’s Word. Others make excuses and don’t grow. Sometimes there is something the Christian doesn’t want to give up, it may be some possession or some sin in their life that hinders or stops their growth.Others find things in they Bible they are doing wrong, God convicts them of sin, so they need to repent, but they resist. Their growth stops. Following Jesus involves going through many things that Jesus also went through. Persecutions can be expected. People trying to deceive you can be expected. Satan has all sorts of traps already set to trap you in some way. This is one reason he was created. He has had 6000 years to practice deceiving billions of people, plus his wisdom is far beyond any humans. He has been given much power to deceive people in their thoughts. He has power to create situations such as the human mind cannot comprehend. Thus only by obeying God’s Word can we hope to stand firm. One of the most stupid things a person can do is to underestimate the devil which successfully deceives the whole world–Rev 12:3. A second grader is still unskillful in discerning God’s word correctly, but at least he is beginning to grow Satan puts in their minds they can do this sin or that by mis–using Scripture. A baby Christian is worldly or carnal, and he walks after the flesh. His love for God is shallow. His understanding of scripture is shallow. His obedience to God’s word is shallow. His love for the brethren is shallow. He is often combative or strifeful, or even un–loving. However, if he becomes uncorrectable, he is regressing, not advancing. He has much to learn, and much growing to do, and many things to go through before he is conformed to the image of Christ. The more he resists, the more slowly he will grow, and the more slowly he grows, the more place he gives to Satan to easily deceive him. He walks more by sight than by faith and trusting in God. Walking in the Spirit, walking after the Spirit, rightly dividing God’s Word, being spiritually minded, reaching toward perfection, being filled with God’s love, total denying oneself, dying to ones–self, forsaking everything, becoming an empty vessel fit for the Master’s use, are all things today’s church very seldom ever teach on, neither are they understood except by a very few. Fasting a day a week, or a full week once a year, is usually way beyond their understanding. Thus we have today’s church, a far cry from the church of 100 years ago which understood these things. I have even heard a person of this church age ridiculing that church age, which God indicates was the best ever “The Philadelphia church age” A very, very few that reach perhaps high school or college level, or will fast 21 or 40 days as Jesus did, which is way beyond what a second grader, or even fourth grader might begin to comprehend or have the faith to do. A second grader must grow in order to graduate into third grade. Most Christians in this lukewarm, carnal church age of which is unacceptable to God, just never grow thanks to the pleasures of this life, the pleasures of sin which is so abundantly accepted, and preaching that is for the most part, no preaching at all in this latter day time. There are many enjoyable, time fulfilling, pleasurable things to do which include––movies, TV, the internet, games, hand held devices, delicious things to fill their stomachs, plus sex, and every king of perversion imaginable. Many are concerned how many people like them on facebook, or they crave computer games, they need to keep in–touch, they need to buy this and that, they want sex, drugs, oh it can all be fun, but if a person’s mind is centered on these wonderful, enjoyable things of this evil world, it is not centered on God’s Word, the Bible, or repenting, or conforming the image of Christ. Did Christ go and buy all sorts of things so he could enjoy life? Christ had a mission, and that was to seek and to save that which was lost, and then to give His life a ransom for many. It that your mission? The ways people follow today are sin, selfishness, self centeredness, pride, being in control, pleasures, money, cares of this life, or the lusts of other things, the fulfillment of pleasures, plus drugs, just to mention some. The God of the Bible has little place in this society. He has been replaced with a god of compromise. Jesus was not lead by the things and pleasures of this life, or even by food. Does this fit you? Nothing caused Him to waver in any way from doing what His Father told Him to do. Is this you? Probably not. Christ was never concerned where he would sleep, or how he would pay for things. Is this you? How far from Christ are you? If you could be honest, you would have to say, I am a long, long way from being as Christ wants me to be. If you can’t truthfully say that you are probably in spiritual trouble. Then what are you doing about it? Are you reading a chapter now and then, when you ought to be devouring God’s Word because it is far, far more necessary that your worldly food. Are you letting it change you. Repentance is a daily thing. Are you so worldly, that you can’t understand the simplest things in the Bible such as what you are hearing? This is not our world. Our world is yet to come, in heaven. We are only here to be tested to see if we will be counted worthy to inherit eternal life. Are you so blind, that you can’t understand this easy to understand truth? This simple truth of being tested or proven was covered in detail as the children of Israel were freed from the bondage of Egypt, they began to follow Jesus, were tested in the wilderness, but then they wanted to turn back. Almost all rebelled as time progressed and only two entered the promised land. So it is today. Do you even have the smallest understanding of what God means when He says to deny yourself, and pick up your cross daily, and follow Him, and trust in Him, not in yourselves? To follow Christ is not business as usual. Do you not remember the rich young merchant? He obeyed God's commandments from his youth. Jesus loved him. Jesus told him to sell all he had, and after he did that, then—to come and follow Him. You cannot follow riches, or this world, or the world's ways, and Jesus also. You have to choose whom you will follow. The rich merchant went away sad, because he had great riches. That is the way people are today. They want to keep their riches, and the things that they enjoy, and follow Jesus at the same time. The churches today will agree with them, but the Scriptures do not. Do you understand the simple teaching of selling all you have? The rich young merchant understood, but the things he had were more important to him than eternal life. Oh, how he regrets that decision now, as he has already been in hell for about 2000 years. So it is with most people. The time period called “right now” is often more important than the time period 30 or 40 years “from now”. So they live for today, and hope for the best in the future. What is more important to you than following and obeying Jesus? If you had lived in the days of Jesus, would you have been making excuses why you could not follow Him? If you make excuses today, you would have done the same thing then. If a person wants to be saved, they MUST, I said–MUST follow Jesus and obey His Word now. Denying what you want to do, and surrendering to Jesus is the only way, and very, very, very few people will do this by faith So they go through life in a delusion, thinking they are saved, being incapable of honestly examining themselves by the Word of God. Then when they die they learn the horrible truth–that Jesus never knew them. This life is a time of being to tested to see who will follow Jesus in the way that He commands. Thus it is written– Gal 5:16, 17 NIV-So I say, live by the Spirit (or we might say by the Word), and you will not gratify the “desires of the sinful nature”. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit (or we may say the Word), and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. So what do many do? They compromise, and then perish, but they have peace on earth, fully confident they will go to heaven. Jesus gave His life for you. WHAT HAVE YOU GIVEN UP FOR HIM? I said, what have you give up for Him? The answer for most people is they have given up nothing. This is the generation of little or no repentance, but self–centeredness and but confidence it will all turn out ok. There is a battle to be fought, and a struggle that hast to be won. That battle rages in our mind, in our flesh, and all around us. The devil, our adversary, walks about seeking whom he may devour, and if you are not listening very carefully, then you are even now doing exactly what Satan wants you to do as was outlined in the beginning of this message. If you are not paying attention, or snoozing, you are missing things you may never hear again. God’s Word is sharper than any two edged sword. If His Word is not penetrating you today, then when will it penetrate? There is a battle or conflict in each of us as we try to follow Jesus. That conflict is what the Bible commands us to do verses what we really want to do if we have not denied ourselves as God commands us to do. That conflict in us is what to give up and forsake, or not to give up. The conflict is whether to die to ourselves or not to die to ourselves. Few churches in this blind generation will tell you to surrender all to Jesus, and few people are willing to do so. Thus no one who is lukewarm will inherit eternal life, even though many, many, many think they will–ref Mt 7. It is written–Ro 6:6– FOR TO BE CARNALLY (or worldly) MINDED IS DEATH. Why is this? Because the worldly or carnal mind is hatred against God. It is not in tune with God. The worldly mind will not submit to all the righteousness of the Word of God. Neither is it possible for it to do so–ref Ro 6:7,8. A hundred years ago there was not so much to give up, and many did follow Christ. But now, that has changed. Satan couldn’t kill the church with persecutions, but He has killed it with fun and games, worldliness, the pleasures of sin and things to do, and the people love to have it so. People love to go to churches that tell them they can have eternal life with no sacrifice or repentance. Ro 6:18–For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. God searches a person’s heart. You can expect to be tested with much the world has to offer, even as Jesus was offered all the kingdoms of the world, if he would follow Satan. You must grow, I said you must grow–through being in God's Word and through denying yourself more and more, and surrendering to God's Word more and more. In this way you will gradually begin to be conformed to God’s image–ref Ro 6:29, and pass into the next grade, hopefully the third grade. “Third Grade”
The person that has reached the third grade can read, and do basic math. He has grown a lot since the first grade.Few understand in this wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked church age–the things which are being written here. So how are we, as Christians to be??? Ro 6:36–AS IT IS WRITTEN, FOR THY SAKE WE ARE KILLED ALL THE DAY LONG; WE ARE ACCOUNTED AS SHEEP FOR THE SLAUGHTER. Those that become Christians in many countries of the world understand this clearly, as many are tortured, put in jail, and killed for their faith in Jesus. However in a few countries such as America, as of the time this is being written, persecutions have not yet reached that point “yet” Satan has killed the church even more successfully with pleasures and riches and a lukewarm message in America than he has with persecutions in other countries. So, finally, if we do our homework, that is, if dwell in God’s Word, obey God’s Word, deny ourselves, surrender to God’s Word, begin to forsake all as God tells us we have to do, and as we begin obey God's commandments and His Word, we can graduate to third grade and beyond Remember, each person grows at a different rate according to their heart and degree of obedience to Christ. A person that has determined to follow Jesus, no matter what the cost and has prepared his heart do so, will grow far faster than a person that wants to follow Jesus but also wants to hang on to the good and fun things of this life. A person that is self centered, that wants to be in control, may not grow at all, or will grow very slowly. So who fits this description–the whole world does. How can God control a person that wants to be in control? As a person dies to themselves more and more, surrenders more and more to God’s Word, his understanding of the Bible begins to blossom. He begins to understand the Scriptures in such a way that he could not have even imagined when he was in the first or second grade. As a person in first grade could not begin to understand such things as high school algebra, or geometry, so the first or second grade Christian cannot even begin to comprehend perfection and holiness. They cannot even begin to understand what it is really like to walk even as Christ walked, and to follow in perfect harmony as God the Father directs. Few, few, few, few people will ever reach this state, God calls perfection, yet it is the will of God that you do so. There are many road blocks and stumbling blocks Satan is allowed to put in your way, to slow you down, or even make you give up, but in reality they help you to grow as you overcome each obstacle. If you do not keep yours eyes on Jesus, and on obeying His Word, you have a rocky road ahead. God’s Word needs to be the center of your life, not riches, or the cares of this life, or not the lusts of other things, or the pleasures of this life. The less you possess, the less Satan can use against you. It is God’s will for you to be changed, born again, transformed, and completely remolded into the image of Christ. You should do the works of Christ, think like Christ, and even act like Christ in this present world. That is God’s will for you. But, what is your will? Your will should be to have the mind of Christ more and more each day–ref 1 Cor 2:16. Your will should be to be more humble tomorrow than today, for the more pride you have, the more God resists you. Is having lots of fun, earning a lot of money, doing whatever your heart desires worth going to the lake of fire for eternity? God forbid, many believe it is until they find the lake of fire is real. Is having lots of fun, earning a lot of money, doing whatever your heart desires worth time without end spent in suffering and torment? Don’t believe those lying thoughts you have that tell you, you can have what you want now, and eternity with God after. It just isn’t true. You can have what you want now, but then you receive everlasting torment and you can never die. You can suffer now and surrender all for Jesus now, but then in the next life you will have far, far, far more riches that are eternal than what you can ever imagine now. To invest your life for Christ now, is to get beyond anything you can imagine for it is written: 1 Cor 2:9–EYE HATH NOT SEEN, NOR EAR HEARD, NEITHER HAVE ENTERED INTO THE HEART OF MAN, THE THINGS WHICHh GOD HATH PREPARED FOR THEM THAT LOVE HIM. Do you love God more than the things of this world? Few people do. Am I trying to scare you–absolutely yes. If you choose to believe God’s word on hell and the lake of fire, it is far beyond terrifying. Fear God and depart from evil. A focal point on how Satan deceives. The mis’use of God’s Word. Introduction
Jesus used these words in various forms over and over. “HAVE YE NOT READ”In using these words, Jesus, time after time, was showing various people that they did not understand the Scriptures properly, and they could not rightly divide God’s Word–ref 2 Tim 2:15. Satan misuses God’s Word by taking Scripture, and putting into a person’s mind an understanding which is not correct and may be incomplete. Satan is an expert at telling a person the flowers are more beautiful on the other side of the bridge. But he does not tell them that if they try to cross that bridge, they will fall to their death, because part of the floor of the bridge has collapsed. The unsaved, the unlearned, the worldly, the carnal and lukewarm Christian all fall into this category. Therefore, they need a good teacher to help them stay on the right path, just as a child needs good school teachers to help them learn. There are countless examples of this mis–use of Scripture today. Some preach all Christians should be prosperous financially. Some teach no Christian should be sick, and if they are sick and do not get healed, they have no faith. Some teach sprinkling baptism. Some teach to please men, not God Some teach in such a way as to attract many people Some never use the words: repent, hell, damnation, judgment. Seems like they never read the Gospels of Mt, Mk, Lk, and John, plus Paul’s teachings. And they all seem to support their positions by misusing God’s Word or through very wrong thinking. (dd)
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