"Hearers and Doers"

 

Matthew 7:24-29 "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: 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. 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: 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. And it came to pass, when JESUS had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at HIS doctrine: for HE taught them as ONE having AUTHORITY, and not as the Scribes."

     The wise man not only hears what his LORD commands, but he also heeds what he is told to do (vv.24-25). He applies what he hears or reads from GOD's WORD because he is established upon the ROCK, the LORD JESUS CHRIST. How ? He has trusted CHRIST as his SAVIOR and has fallen on and yielded to "this STONE" (Matthew 21:44), the LORD JESUS HIMSELF. Such faith, built upon and centered in CHRIST, will withstand every trial. A wise man who knows CHRIST, in this saving way, has nothing to fear and everything to gain. Notice carefully that a dramatic change in his attitude toward GOD's WORD will take place. He not only has an ear that is open to the SHEPHERD's voice (John 10:27 pictured above) but also a heart that wants to obey HIM. Saving faith should bear evident fruit.

     The foolish man, on the other hand, hears the Gospel but does not obey it. He does not receive by faith the life GOD has graciously offered through HIS only begotten SON (John 3:16 pictured above). Rather than resting in faith, he foolishly builds on the shifting sands of self-effort and wishful thinking (vv.26-27). Like those discussed earlier in this chapter, he performs many works (his building looks fine for a time), but when the storms finally come, the destruction is great. A structure without a solid foundation will surely fall.

     We must be certain we are on the narrow way, trusting wholly in CHRIST. Also, let us be doers of the WORD and not hearers only, lest we fall prey to the same kind of foolishness that is attributed to the unsaved in this text. Blessings and rewards are promised to those who are grounded and building upon the ROCK. We must "take heed how" we build thereon (1st.Corinthians 3:9-13 pictured above) - by following the pattern of the WORD. DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"Many Will Say . . ."

 

Matthew 7:21-23 "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. 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 ? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from ME, ye that work iniquity."

     In this concluding chapter of the LORD's Sermon on the Mount, JESUS warns of false prophets and false professors. HE describes unsound teachers and solemnly exhorts hypocritical hearers of the WORD to be doers also (James 1:22-25 pictured above). Oh, how these admonitions are needed today as well ! Only those who have traveled the narrow way will gain entrance through the strait gate (vv.13-14). The LORD clearly declared that HE is "the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE" (John 14:6). In every dispensation, false teachers have invented religions that substitute man's works for biblical salvation, which is only by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9). In the end, all will finally realize that only those who have been washed in the blood of the LAMB are worthy to be known and accepted of GOD the FATHER. All others will be without excuse (Romans 1:20) and cast into everlasting darkness and eternal torment in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:15).

     Our text for today reveals the sad truth that people who seem very religious and even those who supposedly work miracles in the name of CHRIST can be utterly lost and without hope. Never lose sight of the fact that what is believed in the heart, not what is done outwardly before men, is what determines whether or not one truly belongs to GOD. Some of the rotten fruit of unbelief can be easily discerned (vv.15-16), but sometimes it is disguised by deceptive demonstrations of allegedly divine power. GOD's WORD warns of "signs and lying wonders" (2nd.Thessalonians 2:9; 2nd.Corinthians 11:13-15 pictured above) - works that appear to come from the LORD but are not. Only sound doctrine determines what is truly of GOD, not one's personal experience or the external displays of others. DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"GOD Loves You"

 

"For GOD so loved the world,

that HE gave HIS only begotten SON,

that whosoever believeth in HIM should 

not perish, but have everlasting life." ~ John 3:16

     This great Bible verse reveals four truths from the heart of GOD for all people.

We are loved.

     GOD wants us to know that we are loved. The LORD JESUS said, "For GOD so loved the world. . ." You are a part of this world, and GOD loves you. HE gave HIS SON for you, and HE wants you ". . .to know the love of CHRIST. . ." (Ephesians 3:19).

We are of worth.

     The LORD also wants us to know that we are of worth. We are so dear to GOD ". . .that HE gave HIS only begotten SON. . ."

     The Bible teaches us that we are all sinners. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD" (Romans 3:23). And sin must be paid for, "For the wages of sin is death. . ." (Romans 6:23).

     But the Bible also teaches us that, ". . .CHRIST died for our sins according to the Scriptures" (1st.Corinthians 15:3). GOD demonstrated HIS love for us and our worth to HIM when HE sent HIS SON to die in our place.

     The good news is that the LORD JESUS paid our sin debt in full when HE died on the cross. "For HE hath made HIM to be sin for us. . ." (2nd.Corinthians 5:21). CHRIST loved us and gave HIMSELF for us as payment, in full, for our sin.

     You may ask, "How can GOD forgive my sin ?" HE can because of what JESUS did. ". . .While we were yet sinners, CHRIST died for us" (Romans 5:8).

We can have hope.

     GOD wants us to know that we can have hope. ". . .that whosoever believeth in HIM should not perish. . ." Life is fragile, and people are perishing. But CHRIST came ". . .that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10).

     In a world where so many have lost hope, GOD wants us to know that the ". . .LORD JESUS CHRIST. . .is our hope" (1st.Timothy 1:1). HE rose from the dead, and HE said, ". . .Because I live, ye shall live also" (John 14:19).

We can have purpose.

     GOD wants us to know that we can have purpose in life. HE desires that we ". . .should not perish, but have everlasting life." "And this is the promise that HE hath promised us, even eternal life" (1st.John 2:25).

     You may ask, "How can I receive GOD's promise of eternal life?"

Acknowledge that you are a sinner, "for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of GOD" (Romans 3:23).

Believe that the LORD JESUS died for you, for "CHRIST died for our sins according to the Scriptures" (1st.Corinthians 15:3).

Call upon the LORD to save you, "for whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved" (Romans 10:13).

     If you would be willing to turn to CHRIST in repentance (a turning to GOD from your sin) and faith, pray this simple prayer of salvation:

LORD, I know that I am a sinner, and I believe YOU died and rose again for me. I am trusting YOU to forgive me. Come into my heart and save me. Help me to live for YOU always. In JESUS' name I pray, AMEN.

     The LORD JESUS said, ". . .I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish. . ." (John 10:28). Everlasting life is ours when we receive CHRIST as our personal SAVIOR.

Now that you're a Christian:

* Share your new-found faith with you family & friends (Acts 16:31-33).

* Identify with CHRIST through believer's baptism & become part of a local, Bible-believing church (Acts 2:41,47).

     GOD says in HIS WORD, "BEHOLD, NOW is the accepted time; BEHOLD, NOW is the day of salvation." (2nd.Corinthians 6:2b). Don't put it off, accept CHRIST today, tomorrow may be too late.

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Gulf Coast 

Baptist Church

312 SE 24th. Avenue

Cape Coral, FL 33990

(238) 574-1000

Pastor Dr. Robert Butz

Pastor Emeritus Dr. Tom Sexton

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"BEWARE of False Prophets"

 

Matthew 7:13-20 "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: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. BEWARE of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles ? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them."

     If judging is wrong, as so many claim, how can the believer heed the LORD's warning to "BEWARE of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing" (v.15) ? Peter prophesied concerning the church in the last days before the LORD's return. "There shall be false teachers among you" (2nd.Peter 2:1-2 pictured above) - this is speaking of today ! Was the Apostle Paul "judgmental" when he "ceased not to warn" the Ephesian church of the "grievous wolves" who would "draw away disciples" after themselves in Acts 20:28-31 ? Certainly not ! A faithful warning requires Scriptural discernment. How can the Pastor of a flock or any layperson identify false teachers and unsound doctrine without making an assessment ? Judging is required if the following verses are to be obeyed:

John 7:24, "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment."

Romans 16:17, "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them."

1st.Corinthians 2:15, "But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man."

Ephesians 5:8-11, "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the LORD: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the SPIRIT is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) proving what is acceptable unto the LORD and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them."

1st.Thessalonians 5:21-22, "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil."

2nd.Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15, "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. . . .And if any man obey not our WORD by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother."

2nd.John 10-11, "If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither, bid him GOD speed; for he that biddeth him GOD speed is partaker of his evil deeds."

Additionally, the believing remnant of Israel will find it imperative to use wise judgment during the future seven-year Tribulation period (Matthew 24:21-26).

     The Bible is the standard by which all things must be judged; true discernment is not according to our personal (and sometimes peculiar) prejudices, opinions, or professed convictions. Scripture alone must determine what we are to hold firm and what we must firmly oppose. Remember, the exercise of spiritual judgment is not only necessary to ward of error but also to deliver the errant (2nd.Thessalonians 3:14-15; 2nd.Timothy 2:24-26). We must avoid a self-righteous, censorious spirit when trying to be of help to anyone, for the Bible exhorts us to "[speak] the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:14-15; 1st.Corinthians 16:13-14 pictured above). The purpose of judgment is to help a fellow Christian, not destroy him. DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  With  Permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"Judge Not ! ?"

 

Matthew 7:1-12 "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye ? 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 ? 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. 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. 

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone ? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent ? 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 ? 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."

     The notion that the Bible categorically forbids the Christian from judging is an outright denial of the plain teaching of the whole of Scripture. Yet time and time again we hear both the saved and unsaved alike parrot the command in today's text, "Judge not, that ye be not judged" (v.1 pictured above); when they are confronted with Scriptural examination and reproof. But does our text for today forbid judging ? Absolutely not ! In fact, it requires judging and explains how it is to be accomplished.

     Hypocritical judgment - not Biblical discernment - is the issue in today's text. One cannot possibly be of help in pointing out the wrongdoing of others if he, himself, is guilty of an improper walk with GOD. The one referred to in our text cannot effectively deal with the speck in another's eye when a beam is lodged in his own eye (v.4 pictured above). The same principle is in effect, for example, when a believer attends a compromised church and yet urges a fellow Christian to separate from an unbiblical ministry, fellowship, or relationship. We need to remove the log in our own eye before we can effectively and consistently warn another. We must be willing to apply GOD's divine standard to ourselves just as readily as we do to other people. The LORD commands us to test, or to judge, by HIS WORD all that pertains to our Christian walk, witness, and associations. We are accountable to GOD for how we personally implement the WORD (by discerning and doing what is according to the Bible), and we certainly are not to accommodate those who trample it underfoot. Spineless conciliation is not a Christian virtue ! The good soldier of JESUS CHRIST must be vigilant, valiant, and faithful in the battle for truth DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"EXCLUDED from the New Heaven and Earth"

 

Revelation 21:1-8, 22-27 "And I saw a new Heaven and new Earth: for the first Heaven and the first Earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from GOD out of Heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of Heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of GOD is with men, and HE will dwell with them, and they shall be HIS people, and GOD HIMSELF shall be with them, and be their GOD. And GOD shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And HE that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And HE said unto me, Write: for these WORDs are true and faithful. And HE said unto me, It is done. I AM ALPHA and OMEGA, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his GOD, and he shall be my son. 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.

And I saw no temple therein: for the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY and the LAMB are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of GOD did lighten it, and the LAMB is the light thereof. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the Earth do bring their glory and honor into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the LAMB's Book of Life."

     Often great blessing and benefit come when something previously bothersome is now missing. It would be nice to learn, for example, that the neighbor's dog that barked constantly in one day was no longer around. If one is suffering from an inflamed appendix, it would be good to have the organ removed. What a blessing it is when a corrupt politician is voted out of office. His presence will not be missed !

     In the eternal state - the New Heaven and New Earth - what does GOD's WORD have to say about what will be missing:

The Devil will not be present (Revelation 20:10).

The first Heaven and first Earth will be gone, and there will be no more seas or oceans (v.1).

Verse four declares that all tears will be wiped away; death will be no more so thus no need for hospitals, hospice, funerals, cemeteries, etc.

There will not be any sorrow or crying or pain; the former things that caused so much suffering, hardships, and heartache will all have passed away.

As we read on, we find that ungodly people will no longer be present to defile GOD's Holy Heaven because they will be in a separate place (v.8 cf. Revelation 22:15 pictured above).

The eternal state will have no temple because the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY and the LAMB will be the temple of that new city (v.22).

The sun and the moon will not be necessary since the glory of GOD will be its endless source of light (v.23).

No unsaved persons will be allowed to enter therein (v.27).

There will be no more curse (Revelation 22:3).

There will be no more night there (Revelation 22:5).

However, the greatest blessing will not be the things that are missing; rather, it will be HE WHO is present with us - our GOD (v.3). "In THY presence is fulness of joy; at THY right hand there are pleasures forevermore." (Psalm 16:11). GWZ

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation

"A Convenient Season"

 

Acts 24:24-25 "And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in CHRIST. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee."

     We are living in a culture that demands convenience. Even major life-changing decisions are often based upon expediency. But this is not exclusive to the secular culture. We sometimes regulate our spiritual life on the basis of convenience or inconvenience. Take Sunday, the Lord's Day, for example. If one is unable to enjoy a Saturday at the lake, he goes on Sunday instead. Church is just too inconvenient ! As a matter of fact, all of that spiritual stuff just gets in the way of many personal preferences. It is more relaxing to sleep in on the LORD's Day than to attend church. Bible reading and study are laborious and impede one's fun. Many Christians fall into this convenience trap. Rather than firmly standing on GOD's WORD, sharing the truth, or living a godly life, they compromise because it is too demanding to stand for the LORD.

     Notice today's text once again. Felix was a man who had heard GOD's WORD. He experienced conviction when confronted with "righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come" (v.25 pictured above) as Paul discussed the importance of "faith in CHRIST" (v.24). Yet Felix was not willing to come to JESUS CHRIST. He wanted a more "convenient season." Sadly, that "convenient season" never came for him, and Felix likely died in his sins. Friend, if you do not know the LORD JESUS CHRIST as your personal LORD and SAVIOR, do not wait for a more "convenient season" to trust CHRIST as your SAVIOR (see below to find out how). The LORD says, "BEHOLD, NOW is the accepted time; BEHOLD, NOW is the day of salvation" (2nd.Corinthians 6:2b pictured above). If you are a believer, do not allow expedience to determine your walk with GOD. Whether convenient or not, make your relationship with the LORD the utmost priority in your life. PNF

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

Used  with  permission.    www.featoday.org

https://www.fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation