A Word from God

The Ministries of John and Jesus

THE MINISTRIES OF JOHN AND JESUS In Chapter 11 of Matthew Jesus [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/jesus/] addresses the people concerning John the Prophet and Himself. He also condemns those who reject their ministries. And at the end He invites those who are burdened by religion to come to Him. You have heard the Words of Jesus [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/jesus/] and you can choose to hear them or reject them. Christ desires that we hear them and for us to answer His Call to Salvation. Will you reject or accept? MATTHEW 11:1-30 ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION (ESV) MESSENGERS FROM JOHN THE BAPTIST When Jesus [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/jesus/] had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities. Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And Jesus [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/jesus/] answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” As they went away, Jesus [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/jesus/] began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written, “‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven [http://awordfromgod.net/2014/05/14/the-kingdom-of-heaven/] is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven [http://awordfromgod.net/2014/05/14/the-kingdom-of-heaven/] has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear. “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates, “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/wisdom/] is justified by her deeds.” WOE TO UNREPENTANT CITIES Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/heaven/]? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.” COME TO ME, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST At that time Jesus [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/jesus/] declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/lord/] of heaven [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/heaven/] and earth [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/earth/], that you have hidden these things from the wise [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/wise/] and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/heart/], and you will find rest for your souls [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/souls/]. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/light/].”

Follow Jesus and Fear Not

FOLLOW JESUS AND FEAR NOT In these final verses of Matthew chapter 10, Jesus [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/jesus/] instructs His Disciples to have no fear [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/fear/], to deny themselves even unto death. Christians today are instructed by the Lord [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/lord/] to do the same. The cost of following Jesus [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/jesus/] in a broken, sin filled world can be great. With Christ by our sides and with our Faith [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/faith/] in Him, the reward will be even greater. Come and make a choice to follow Jesus [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/jesus/] TODAY! MATTHEW 11:1-30 ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION (ESV) MESSENGERS FROM JOHN THE BAPTIST 11 When Jesus [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/jesus/] had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities. 2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 4 And Jesus [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/jesus/] answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.” 7 As they went away, Jesus [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/jesus/] began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is he of whom it is written, “‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,     who will prepare your way before you.’ 11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven [http://awordfromgod.net/2014/05/14/the-kingdom-of-heaven/] is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven [http://awordfromgod.net/2014/05/14/the-kingdom-of-heaven/] has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear. 16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates, 17 “‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;     we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.” WOE TO UNREPENTANT CITIES 20 Then he began to denounce the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you.” COME TO ME, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST 25 At that time Jesus [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/jesus/] declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/lord/] of heaven and earth [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/earth/], that you have hidden these things from the wise [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/wise/] and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/heart/], and you will find rest for your souls [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/souls/]. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/light/].”

Called by Jesus

CALLED BY JESUS In this 10th chapter of Matthew, Jesus [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/jesus/] is Calling His Disciples to send them out to preach the Gospel. This same Calling goes out to all Christians. We are to proclaim the Good News [http://awordfromgod.net/2012/01/14/the-good-news/] of Jesus [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/jesus/] Christ! Being a disciple of Christ is not easy in this Sin filled world where evil is so welcomed over godliness. Christ warns us that even our own families will be against us. Only with Jesus [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/jesus/] can we endure! MATTHEW 10:1-25 (ESV) THE TWELVE APOSTLES And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/heal/] every disease and every affliction. The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/judas/] Iscariot, who betrayed him. JESUS SENDS OUT THE TWELVE APOSTLES These twelve Jesus [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/jesus/] sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/sheep/] of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven [http://awordfromgod.net/2014/05/14/the-kingdom-of-heaven/] is at hand.’ Heal [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/heal/] the sick [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/sick/], raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/food/]. And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. As you enter the house, greet it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town. PERSECUTION WILL COME “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/sheep/] in the midst of wolves, so be wise [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/wise/] as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. When they deliver you over, do not be anxious [http://awordfromgod.net/2014/09/24/do-not-be-anxious-matthew-625-34/] how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.

The Busy Life of Christ

THE BUSY LIFE OF CHRIST Continuing in Matthew 9, we find Jesus [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/jesus/] very busy dealing with the  people and their needs. Christ is our example [http://awordfromgod.net/2012/06/26/christ-is-our-example/] of how hard we should be working for others. Pray [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/pray/] that God will bring workers to the fields and when you do, be ready to be put into service! Often God uses those who pray [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/pray/] such prayers [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/prayers/], as His instrument to point the Way to Him. MATTHEW 9:18-38 ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION (ESV) A GIRL RESTORED TO LIFE AND A WOMAN HEALED 18 While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 And Jesus [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/jesus/] rose and followed him, with his disciples. 20 And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, 21 for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” 22 Jesus [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/jesus/] turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/heart/], daughter; your faith [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/faith/] has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. 23 And when Jesus [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/jesus/] came to the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24 he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went through all that district. JESUS HEALS TWO BLIND MEN 27 And as Jesus [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/jesus/] passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” 28 When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/jesus/] said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/lord/].” 29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/faith/] be it done to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/jesus/] sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about it.” 31 But they went away and spread his fame through all that district. JESUS HEALS A MAN UNABLE TO SPEAK 32 As they were going away, behold, a demon-oppressed man who was mute was brought to him. 33 And when the demon had been cast out, the mute man spoke. And the crowds marveled, saying, “Never was anything like this seen in Israel [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/israel/].” 34 But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/demons/] by the prince of demons [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/demons/].” THE HARVEST IS PLENTIFUL, THE LABORERS FEW 35 And Jesus [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/jesus/] went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/sheep/] without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/pray/] earnestly to the Lord [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/lord/] of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Something New for the Old

GRACE In these verses, Jesus [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/jesus/] is healing the sick [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/sick/], calling sinners to discipleship and offering Grace [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/grace/] to fulfill the Law of Religion. Are you ready for something new with Jesus [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/jesus/]? Ask Him today to start a NEW life [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/life/] with Him and watch as he transforms you! BIBLE [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/bible/] VERSES: MATTHEW 9:1-17 (ESV) JESUS HEALS A PARALYTIC 9 And getting into a boat he crossed over and came to his own city. 2 And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/jesus/] saw their faith [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/faith/], he said to the paralytic, “Take heart [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/heart/], my son; your sins are forgiven.” 3 And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” 4 But Jesus [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/jesus/], knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/earth/] to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 7 And he rose and went home. 8 When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men. JESUS CALLS MATTHEW 9 As Jesus [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/jesus/] passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. 10 And as Jesus [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/jesus/] reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/jesus/] and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/sick/]. 13 Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/desire/] mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” A QUESTION ABOUT FASTING 14 Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/fast/], but your disciples do not fast [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/fast/]?” 15 And Jesus [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/jesus/] said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast [http://awordfromgod.net/tag/fast/]. 16 No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch tears away from the garment, and a worse tear is made. 17 Neither is new wine put into old wineskins. If it is, the skins burst and the wine is spilled and the skins are destroyed. But new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved.”