December 1, 2013
Morning Service

In this portion of Scripture the Lord is teaching of the results for being a faithful, and unfaithful steward.  And of course, the encouragement is to be a faithful steward.  Be faithful in all that the Lord has given us to enjoy in this life.  Be faithful to:  God, family, your job, friends, your finances.  Let us learn to be faithful stewards in all these areas of our lives.  Putting God, and His teachings first in our lives. 

 

This morning we want to look at how the Lord views the results of His coming to this world.

Luk 12:49-56  I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? 

·         In Matt. Gospel John Baptist states:  Mat 3:11  I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

·         Jesus knew that the message He would be bringing would create much turmoil among the people.  The continuation of this message would bring much tribulation, and sorrow. 

·         This all happened because of the corruption of man’s heart, and his condition.  The message of Christ was one of love, mercy, and forgiveness, but the wickedness in the heart of man could not accept this message. So there would be much tribulation at its furtherance.  

(50)  But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! 

·         Jesus is referring to His coming ordeal of suffering, and death on the cross.

(51)  Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: 

·         Anytime a new thought or teaching appears in religion there will be those who oppose it, and that is exactly what happened when Jesus began preaching the message of the kingdom of God.

·         God knew this would happen, but He also knew that this message had to be brought forth so that all mankind could have access to eternal life.

·         However, once this message is preached, there is none other to be accepted.  Such as Mohammed, and Islam;  There are many others who have corrupted the pure message of the Gospel.  The gospel message is very clear in the Bible, and should never be compromised.

·         1Co 15:1-8  Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;  (2)  By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.  (3)  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;  (4)  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:  (5)  And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:  (6)  After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.  (7)  After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.  (8)  And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

·         And this good news was entrusted into the hands of men that Jesus personally picked to further its cause, and message.  And we, that feel this calling from God, to preach, and teach, must continue preaching its simplicity, and purity, as it is proclaimed in our most Holy Bible, the Word of God.

DIVISION OF FAMILY:

(52)  For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.  (53)  The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 

·         It happened in Jesus day, and it is still happening today.  In Israel, the U.S., and anywhere this gospel is preached. 

·         The reason is clear and simple.  Man is born in a fallen state.  He is carnal, and his desires are not to please God, but self.

·         Jesus told Nicodemas;  “you must be born again, of the water, and Spirit.”  How does this happen?

1.       First of all this gospel is preached.

2.      The Spirit of God quickens it to the heart of the one who is seeking.  ( St. Jn. 6:44 )

3.      The seeker yields to the calling of the Spirit, or believes the message preached.  (Rom.10:9-10)

4.      Sincerely repenting of a life that has been away from God, and His teachings.

5.      He opens his heart to receive the engrafted Word of God, Jesus Christ, as his personal savior.

6.      This act of obedience, and surrender, allows the Spirit that he has received to take him, and baptize him into Christ, purifying him through the waters of baptism, and obedience.

7.      Therefore arising from this death, burial, and resurrection, to a life of servitude to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore being a new creation in Christ, striving to be pleasing to the Master, born again.

(54)  And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.  (55)  And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass.  (56)  Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time? 

·         This is something that has been very difficult to determine.  Such as:  His coming.  And the reason being is that there have been times throughout history where these things happened.

Mat 24:25-39  Behold, I have told you before.  (26)  Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.  (27)  For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  (28)  For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.  (29)  Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:  (30)  And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  (31)  And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. 

·         Paul said this:  Gal 1:11-12  But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.  (12)  For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

·         Believing this, I can believe this:  1Th 4:13-18  But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  (14)  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.  (15)  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  (16)  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:  (17)  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.  (18)  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

(32)  Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:  (33)  So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.  (34)  Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.  (35)  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.  (36)  But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.  (37)  But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  (38)  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,  (39)  And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

1Th 5:4  But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

Father help us to be ever watching for Your soon return.