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LET’S STUDY MATTHEW # 23

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THE KINGS POWER OVER DISEASE, DEATH, AND DEVILS #23

lion and lamb

By Ken Blue 

 1 When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. 2 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. 3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.

5 And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, 6  And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. 7 And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. 8 The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. 9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. 10  When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. 11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. Matthew 8:1-13. “14 And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever. 15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them. 16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: 17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. Matthew 8:14-17.

 It is evident that the ministry of Jesus Christ was under the Law of Moses until He was crucified. Matthew’s purpose was to record the sayings, actions, and events that proved that He was Israel’s promised Messiah and King. His birth, and worship, His genealogy, His Father’s testimony at His baptism, His victory over the Devil in the wilderness, His sermon principles of the Kingdom of Heaven, and, His power over death, all sicknesses, and devils, should be confirmation enough. The miracle was not in the miracles, it was that they were a fulfillment of their Old Testament Scriptures (Isaiah 29:18; 35:4-6; 60:1-3).  

Among the great multitude that came to Him, was a leper who believed in who He was, and that He had power to heal him.  Jesus never turned any sincere person away. He respond that He would heal him, and touched the leprous man, and made him clean. He then told him to go to the Priest and offer the offering commanded by Moses (Lev. 14:4, 10, 21-22). The brethren who teach that the Law of Moses ended with the birth of Christ, or at His baptism, are is great error. They must have some precious agenda that needs protection.

The next recorded miracle is at Capernaum. A Roman centurion came begging Him that He would speak the command only, and his servant would be healed. The centurion was in command of 100 men. He said, “When I give a command, the soldiers obey it. If You give the command, the sickness will leave my servant, and he will be healed.” The centurion believed, and his servant was healed that same hour.

Jesus said to the multitude that He had not found anyone among the Jews with as much faith as this Gentile. He added, many Gentiles will come, and sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the Kingdom of Heaven. However, most of the Jews, who should have inherited the Kingdom, will be lost and cast out.

When our Lord came to the home of Peter, He found that his mother-in-law was sick of a fever. Jesus touched her hand, and the fever left. It is noteworthy that Peter had a mother-in-law. I don’t know how you get one of these, without a wife. Thus, Peter, the first Pope had a wife.

The celibacy of the popes, and priest is just one more lie promoted by the Catholic Church. Only the tip of the iceberg is visible when it comes to the sexual immorality that exists in the Catholic Church. It is doctrines such as these that promote sodomites, and pedophilia. “1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.” 1 Timothy 4:1-3.

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT # 22

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NOT HE THAT SAITH, BUT, HE THAT DOTH, ENTERS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN #22

lion and lambBy Ken Blue

“ Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. 28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” Matthew 7:21-29.

We point out again, that the subjects are not Christians of this dispensation, but are the remnant who will be found worthy to enter the Kingdom of Heaven when it is established on the earth. Thus, there is a matter of faith and good works required.

The Lord makes it clear that calling Him Lord, or doing works alone, is not sufficient for salvation to enter the Kingdom. Regardless of the dispensation, true heart dedication is necessary. Every man is a sinner, but true religion brings one to contrition and confession. False religion is only for show, and the all seeing eye of the Lord knows those who are His. This is why the Lord puts the Kingdom of God before the Kingdom of heaven. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33. The Lord must rule in their hearts first. That will result in works from an obedient heart, which is necessary to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

The two foundations are obvious, one is the Lord and His teachings, and the other is man’s religion and his self-righteousness. Both are works, but one is absent of faith. All religious works without faith and obedience to the Lord’s teaching is a religion built on sand. It will not stand the test. Thus, ends the Sermon of the Mount.     

 

THE RISE OF FALSE PROPHETS IN THE TRIBULATION #21

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lion and lamb

By Ken Blue

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:15-20

“Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 25 Behold, I have told you before.” Matthew 24:23-25.

One of the many signs for Israel in the Tribulation is the rise of false prophets. Wicked men are not hesitate to capitalize on world conditions to espouse their false doctrines. They must be judged by a sound understanding of God’s word, and their “fruit.” These false teacher will point to signs and wonders to draw away followers. They will be so persuasive that that they would deceive the very elect remnant, if it were possible. Why will it be impossible for the elect to be deceived? The answer is, they know the prophetic Scriptures.

Two types of trees are used to illustrate the point. One is good fruit, (doctrine), and evil fruit, (false teaching.)  We should note John 15, and Hebrews 6. “1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” John 15:1-8.

The evidence that one is a true follower of the Messiah, is their fruit, and their abiding. In this text, the two go together. The failure to produce good fruit, and the failure to abide, are sure signs that one is false in his profession.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]The evidence that one is a true follower of the Messiah, is their fruit, and their abiding. In this text, the two go together. The failure to produce good fruit, and the failure to abide, are sure signs that one is false in his profession.[/perfectpullquote]

Hebrews six demonstrated the fate of those Jews who witness and experience Kingdom miracles and teaching and turn back to the apostate system. “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. 7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 8 But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.” Hebrews 6:4-8.

Those in the Tribulation must be ever vigilant, and also demonstrating the fruits of righteousness if they are to enter the kingdom. Otherwise, their fate is to be burned. The following adds additional light on this subject. One can see that the context is about the end time and the Kingdom of Heaven.  “Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.. Matthew 13:30.

 

 

PRAYER AND PERSEVERANCE CONCERNING THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN #20

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lion and lamb

 

By Ken Blue

 “Ask and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? 12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. 13  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:7-14.

 One must remember that the book of Matthew is about the Kingdom of heaven on earth. It is a time when God’s will, will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Thus, everything in Matthew must be interpreted in the context of the Tribulation or the Kingdom. Most Christians are confused about many things in Matthew because they fail to rightly divide the Word of God.

 This is not a prayer promise to the Christian in this dispensation. This is a promise to those entering the Kingdom, and those who will be in it. Jesus’ ministry was a Kingdom ministry. No request was rejected by Him, and no one was turned away. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and raised the dead. The answer is, He was offering the Kingdom of Heaven to Israel, and working under Kingdom of Heaven principles. There are no such miracles today within the body of Christ, the church.

Today, many people pray for bread and get a stone. They pray for healing, yet die. Paul makes it clear that we don’t know what to pray for. “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” Romans 8:26. Many, like myself, have a terminal illness. I have ALS, and cannot walk or talk. The average life span with this illness is five years. By God’s grace, I am able to still use my hands, but with great difficulty. I mention this because there are literally, hundreds of Christians who pray for me. Yet I grow weaker by the month.

Look at the prayer promise in our text. The Disciples are told to ask, seek, and knock, for everyone who does, receives. In the Kingdom, they will receive what they ask for. It is not a lack of faith that hinders your prayers, it’s a matter of right division of Scripture.

 Since God will be a benevolent father to them, and provide every request, they are to treat others as they want to be treated. This truth is taught in the Law and the Prophets. It should be noted that the Law and miracles will also be in effect in the Kingdom of Heaven.

 The requirements for entrance into the Kingdom will be difficult. The gospels and Hebrews through Revelation make that clear. In fact, only a few will enter it. One example is in Matthew 24. “11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matthew 24:11-13. Of the Jews, only one third will survive the Tribulation to enter the Kingdom. “And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.” Zechariah 13:9. Two-thirds of Israel will be destroyed. One third will be born again at that time, and be the foundation of the new nation. That is the meaning of, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

 

 

THE SERMON OF THE MOUNT # 19

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 TO JUDGE OR NOT TO JUDGE

judgeBy Ken Blue

“Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye. 6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” Matthew 7:1-6.

All judgment must be based on a right division of Scripture. Scripture teaches, that in every dispensation, judgment is to be checked by God’s Word for that administration. Paul tells us, “But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.” 1 Corinthians 2:15. No one is to turn off their responsibility or ability to judge all things by Scripture. However, it does not say, he that judgeth all things, is spiritual. 

Most of the judgment today is based on tradition, preferences, or Scripture taken out of context. These are usually defended under the banner of “standards.” Their judgment is about the length of one’s hair, clothing, music, friends, and the order of church services. This is wrong and wicked. Again, judgment must be based on a right division of Scripture. All other judgment will return upon the head of the guilty. If one begins with himself, and judges his on sins and behavior, he will have little time to judge others.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]One must also have enough spiritual discernment to know who the “dogs” and “swine” are[/perfectpullquote]

One must also have enough spiritual discernment to know who the “dogs” and “swine” are. No doubt this speaks of the most profane. The best example is seen in the rebuke of the religious leaders in Jerusalem.  “But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. 14  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. 15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. 16 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! 17 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? 18 And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. 19 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift? 20 Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. 21 And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. 22 And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon. 23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. 25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. 26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. 27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. 29  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, 30  And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. 31  Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. 32  Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. 33  Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?” Matthew 23:13-33.

The above lengthy passage describes the dogs and swine to whom holy things should not be offered or entrusted. It was these very people who crucified Jesus. The point in the sermon is, to exercise righteous judgment and discernment in the judgment of others, and the awareness of their attitude toward those holy things before offering holy things, such as the gospel.