TEXT: ‘Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest’ (Hebrews 3:1 NIV) THOUGHT: When Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem, people in the city were amazed and asked, ‘”Who is this?” So the multitudes said, “This is Jesus”’ (Matthew 21:9-11). Reading Saul’s conversion in the Book of Acts recently, I was struck by the following thought. He went to the High Priest for authority to persecute Christians in Damascus.1 On the way there he was struck blind by a dazzling light and Jesus, our High Priest, asked him a question, ‘Saul, Saul why are you persecuting Me?’2 The Book of Hebrews contains many references to Jesus being our High Priest. Each verse helps us to understand Jesus’ character and what He has accomplished for us in that role. His Person Jesus is Merciful – ‘that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God’ (Hebrews 2:17) God is rich in mercy3 therefore Jesus must be merciful too. The Syro-Phoenician mother4 and the epileptic son’s father cried for mercy for their children and both were delivered from demonic powers and healed. The ten lepers6 and Bartimaeus7 cried for mercy and all were...
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TEXT: ‘While it is called “Today”’ (Hebrews 3:13) THOUGHT: Over 2000 years ago the Roman poet Horace coined the phrase, ”Carpe Diem”, which literally means to “seize the day”. We need to make the most of today’s opportunities because tomorrow may be too late. Our text says, ‘While it is called “Today”’. Of the many times the word “Today” is used in the Bible, there are four I wanted to highlight so that we can give due attention to them. In Part 1, we studied how important it is not to Worry unduly about the future. Jesus said we have to think about each day without taking on board anxious concerns about tomorrow. Also the importance of making the right choice about Faith in Jesus and not to put off that decision until a later date, for we cannot be sure of tomorrow. In this teaching we will look at two more texts that focus on “Today”. Obedience – ‘That is why the Holy Spirit says, “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled, when they tested me in the wilderness’ (Hebrews 3:7-8 NLT) This “Today” is mentioned two more times in Hebrews1 and is a direct quotation of Psalm 95:7-8....
Learn MoreTEXT: ‘While it is called “Today”’ (Hebrews 3:13) THOUGHT: Over 2000 years ago the Roman poet Horace coined the phrase, ”Carpe Diem”, which literally means to “seize the day”. It is used to urge someone to make the most of the present time and give little thought to the future. We need to make the most of today’s opportunities because tomorrow may be too late. One of the cardinal sins in direct sales, is thinking people want to see and buy from you tomorrow but not today. So when they say, “I’ll phone you” or “You can phone me next week”, the salesperson leaves believing they have not been rejected. Occasionally people do follow through and sales are made this way, but it happens so rarely, it is called a “Flying Pig!” How often do you see one of those? Our text says, ‘While it is called “Today”’. Of the many times the word “Today” is used in the Bible, there are four I want to highlight so that we can give due attention to them. Worry – ‘So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today’ (Matthew 6:34 NLT) Uncontrolled worry can be very detrimental to our health and...
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TEXT: ‘Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together’ (John 4:35-36) THOUGHT: John Chapter Four is full of evangelistic principles. Jesus, the Supreme evangelist, crossed national barriers to reach the woman at the well. He talked to her in such a way she forgot the reason why she had come there in the first place. Leaving her water pot, she went back to the city and testified about her encounter with the Messiah. Not only did people believe her story and go out to see Jesus, but after He stayed there for just two more days, many more ended up believing that He was Christ, the Saviour of the world! From our text there are four key elements to incorporate if we want to be successful in evangelism. Look – ‘Lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest’ Jesus was saying, “Do not think the harvest is future, there is a harvest to be had right...
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TEXT: ‘But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her’ (Luke 10:42) THOUGHT: Only Luke records this incident in the home of Martha and Mary. Martha is over-concerned with serving food to Jesus and His disciples, but Mary is content to sit and listen. In response to Martha’s demand for Jesus to intervene and get Mary working, Jesus instead commends Mary’s good choice that would have lasting consequences. What choices are we making and are they the right ones? Moses challenged the Children of Israel to choose life.1 Joshua urged them to choose that day who they would serve2, adding, ‘As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!’ What can we learn from this incident that will help us to make the right choice? Learn to stop when a once in a lifetime experience comes your way. The Bible only records a few occasions when Jesus stayed in someone’s house, whether for a few hours or overnight. After all, not everyone could accommodate Jesus and the twelve disciples, or be willing to feed them! Jesus, yes! All the others, no! Perhaps Martha had remembered the Shunammite woman who built an extension to provide accommodation for...
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