A Weekly World Wide Word of Encouragement to those in the Ministry
PRAISE GOD IT’S MONDAY!
A WEEKLY ‘WWW (world-wide word) OF ENCOURAGEMENT’
TO THOSE IN MINISTRY
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Issue No: 882 Published: 17 Sep 2018
WHOSE CHURCH IS IT ANYWAY? Part 57
THE CHALLENGE OF..... LIVING THE KINGDOM LIFESTYLE
THE PARABLE OF THE NET
47 “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish. 48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. 49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 51 “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked. “Yes,” they replied. 52 He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.” (Matthew 13:47-52)
This is another parable about Judgment Day at the end of the age. This is one of the two dominant themes of the parables of Jesus, along with those dealing with riches and the love of money. Each comprises a quarter of Jesus' (parabolic!) teachings to the people.
Why did Jesus teach these subjects in this way?
These were then, and remain so today, two subject areas that upset people! In order that He would not be lynched before His time, Jesus spoke in this way. Yet He explained everything fully to His disciples in private.
33 With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. 34 He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything. (Mark 4:30-34)`
Hard though it is, and I am the biggest wimp at doing this face to face, it is important, indeed vital, that we make people aware that judgment will be faced by all, as this parable is teaching. It is a matter of eternal destiny!
5 But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 God “will give to each person according to what he has done.” 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. (Romans 2:5-8)
Once we truly understand and act upon this reality for ourselves, as the disciples said they did here, we will have a vital key to the kingdom of heaven. Through understanding given by the Holy Spirit, we will receive new revelation of the kingdom to accompany the age old truths and principles of God that have existed since time began, but were first recorded in written form after the exodus of the Jewish nation from Egypt.
Jesus came to earth and through His sacrifice, added the revelation of grace to the application of the law. We come into relationship with God through belief in Jesus, not through following the law to the letter all the time, which no human has been able to do. However, this does not remove the responsibility we have to live holy and righteous lives, based upon the principles of the law. For Jesus was the fulfilment, not the replacement of the law.
The Fulfillment of the Law
17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-20)
A true disciple does not just give mental assent to the saving grace of Jesus but also demonstrates his or her beliefs through living by His example, applying the age old principles of the law to one’s life, motivated by the revelation and application of love.
37 Jesus replied: ”‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. (Matthew 22:37-40)
Getting the balance right in our lives is such a challenge, isn't it! Love! Law! Righteousness! Judgment! How often we lose the plot!
"Thank you Jesus for your forgiving grace so that I may get back on track."
(Continued next week)
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FROM THE WORD
THE WORDS OF JESUS
May we hear what the Lord is saying to us.....
Second Rejection in Nazareth (Matthew 13:54-8, Mark 6:1-6)
When teaching in the local synagogue.
“A prophet is treated with respect except in his home town, among his relatives, and in his own family,”
Workers are Few (Matthew 9:35-8)
Talking to His disciples.
“The harvest is large, but there are only a few workers. Pray to the Lord of the harvest, and ask him to send more workers for his harvest.”
Sending Out the Twelve (Matthew 10:1-42, Mark 6:7-13, Luke 9:1-6)
After giving them spiritual authority and power.
“Don’t go to the foreigners, or to any Samaritan city. You are to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Wherever you go, tell the people, ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Heal those who are sick. Resurrect the dead. Cure the lepers. Drive out demons. You received freely, so give freely! Don’t carry any gold, silver, or copper coins in your pockets, or a bag for your journey, or two cloaks, or sandals, or a walking stick, for a worker deserves to be supported. Wherever you go, whatever town or village, ask for someone who lives according to good principles, and remain there until you leave. When you enter the house, give it your blessing. If the home deserves it, let your peace rest on it, but if it doesn’t deserve it, let your peace return to you.“If someone doesn’t welcome you, and refuses to listen to what you have to say, then leave that house or that town, shaking its dust off your feet as you go. I tell you the truth, it will be better for Sodom and Gomorrah at the Day of Judgment than for that town!
“Look, I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves. So be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
Watch out for those who will hand you over to be tried by town councils and will whip you in their synagogues. You will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, to witness to them and to the foreigners. But when they put you on trial, don’t worry about how you should speak or what you should say, because you’ll be told what to say at the right time. For it’s not you who will speak but the spirit of the Father will speak through you. Brother will betray brother and have him killed, and a father will do the same to his child. Children will rebel against their parents, and have them put to death. Everyone will hate you because you follow me, but everyone who endures until the end will be saved.
“When you’re persecuted in one town, run away to the next. I’m telling the truth: you won’t finish going to the towns of Israel before the Son of man comes. Disciples are not more important than their teacher; servants are not more important than their master. Disciples should be satisfied to become like their teacher, and servants like their master. If the head of the house has been called the head demon Beelzebub, then the members of his household will be demonized even more! So don’t be frightened of them, for there’s nothing covered that won’t be exposed, and nothing hidden that won’t be made known. 27What I tell you here in the dark, declare when it’s light, and what you hear whispered in your ear, shout from the rooftops. Don’t be afraid of those who can kill you physically, but can’t kill you spiritually. Instead, be afraid of the One who can destroy you physically and spiritually in the fires of destruction. Aren’t two sparrows sold for just one penny? But not a single one of them falls to the ground without your Father knowing about it. Even the hairs on your head have all been counted. So don’t worry—you’re worth more than many sparrows!
“Anyone who publicly declares their commitment to me, I will also declare my commitment to them before my Father in heaven. But anyone who publicly denies me, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.
Don’t think I’ve come to bring peace on earth. I haven’t come to bring peace, but a sword. I’ve come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Your enemies will be those of your own family! If you love your father or mother more than me you don’t deserve to be mine, and if you love your son or daughter more than me you don’t deserve to be mine. 38If you don’t pick up your cross and follow me you don’t deserve to be mine. If you try to save your life, you will lose it, but if you lose your life because of me you will save it. Those who welcome you welcome me, and those who welcome me welcome the one that sent me. Those who welcome a prophet because that’s what they are will receive the same reward as a prophet. Those who welcome someone who does right will receive the same reward as someone who does right. I tell you the truth, those who give a drink of cool water to the least important of my disciples will definitely not miss out on their reward.”
(Continued next week)
You can download the complete 'Words of Jesus' here.
OUR AFRICAN EXPERIENCE
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AN EYE 4 Africa - https://www.facebook.com/aneye4africa/
SHOES FOR JIGGERS KIDS
To stop reinfection of the jiggers flea in the feet of the most severely affected sufferers, Kathy personally bought some plastic shoes for them.
The problem is, the fleas live in the ground and if the mud floor homes are not sprayed, the kids feet will be reinfested.
The shoes cost KES200 a pair. ($NZ3, $US2). Made of plastic, they will last a year or two, and of course, the recipients will likely grow out of them during that time.
A VISIT TO EAST AFRICA'S LEADING EYE HOSPITAL IN NAIROBI
Built by Lions Clubs International and supported by other donors, the Hospital sees 400 clients a day. Beautiful buildings with all the latest technology. Made us drool!
We look forward to working in co-operation in the future.
Our Chairman David with Kathy and I plus Peter, the facility's Marketing Manager, who showed us round, at reception.
Four hundred clients are treated every day. an amazing place!
***NOW***NINE BOOKS ARE AVAILABLE ON AMAZON!!!
9 BOOKS are now available on Amazon (Kindle)!
All are available worldwide for electronic download on Amazon (Kindle) for $US0.99c . Unfortunately there has to be a charge in order to list.
Your support would be appreciated and they could well change your life!
They are all found at this link.....
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=david+tait+books/
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'THE WORDS OF JESUS' REMAIN AVAILABLE FOR PDF DOWNLOAD
Join the many who have downloaded the 'The Words of Jesus'. I am sure you will be blessed by it, as I have been.
One key element here is the setting out in chronological order (as far as it is possible to do so) our Lord's words drawn from all the Gospels, and the elimination of repetition between Gospels.
You may be surprised by the different perspective this presentation gives you both in understanding of His life and ministry, and in achieving a closer relationship with Him.
Download the free PDF here.....
DAVID'S DOODLINGS
181. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Man sees the body, God the heart.
182. The world's finest cosmetics are produced by a beautiful heart.
183. Time ravages the body but perfects a beautiful heart.
184. In the "Beauty Stakes", 'The Body' makes the early running, but 'Beautiful Spirit' always comes through to win the race.
386. It is often said that in old age, "The spirit is willing, but the body is weak", but too often in youth, "The body is willing, but the spirit is weak." However, when you find "a young body with a willing spirit", it is indeed a powerful force for God.
387. The body - memories, memories!
388. The body performs better when lubricated by the oil of the Spirit.
389. Youth and exuberance normally drifts into age and experience. But age with experience and exuberance - now there's a winning combination!
CARTOONS FROM TOON FEVER
Visit the Toon Fever website for more cartoon fun..... http://www.toonfever.com
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TUESDAY TEACHINGS
NEXT WEEK: THE TABERNACLE OF MOSES - Moving into the Holy of Holies
God has a plan - a plan that whose fulfilment is not yet finished - in spite of what some might like to think! In fact, it won't be fully accomplished until the day of Jesus return!
But let's first have a look at what's in store for us in the meantime.
*** ANOTHER DAILY EZINE FROM WWJ!*** 'LAUGHING AT OURSELVES' Subscribe Today
As Christians, if we can't laugh at ourselves, others will! A fun way to start your day. To register today, go down to the bottom of the page link below, click on the subscribe link lao--on@wwj.org.nz (or paste the address in an email yourself and send) Then it's done!
LAUGHING AT OURSELVES
***Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves for they shall never cease to be amused*** *** Those who can't laugh at themselves leave the job to others. ***
QWIK QWIP: “I don't have to attend every argument I'm invited to.”
183. Ten Signs Your Pastor Needs A Vacation
10. When he announces VBS he yells the word "VACATION" with special emphasis.
9. He has replaced the framed Ten Commandments in the foyer with a travel poster.
8. The bulletin cover has had pictures of Hawaii on it for the past 5 weeks.
7. His first words to the congregation on Sunday morning are "all right, listen up you heathens..."
6. He falls asleep during his own sermon.
5. He shows up for Sunday service wearing Bermuda Shorts and a Tank Top.
4. Every time his pager goes off, he exhibits a facial tic and shouts, "Why can't they just leave me alone?!"
3. He wears scuba flippers, mask and snorkel to the baptism service.
2. You go to his office for counselling and pour your heart out to him and he says, "Sounds like a personal problem to me."
AND THE NUMBER ONE SIGN YOUR PASTOR NEEDS A VACATION
1. For the past two months he has preached the same sermon every Sunday: "Come Ye Apart and Rest A Little While."
184. Movin' On Up...
A lady whose husband's climb up the ladder to success led her to a more showy way of life changed to a better car, finer home, more expensive furs and a more socially-upscale church. After another major advance, which landed her at the Mercedes-Benz stage, she paid a visit to her latest minister.
"I've had the feeling for some time that I should fit in better with my friends at another church," she sniffed, swinging her furs around her back and flashing her diamond rings. "What would be your opinion, sir?"
"My dear lady," the clergyman replied, "it matters little what kind of label you put on an empty bottle!"
185. All Together Now...
A worker was trying to get a large, heavy pulpit through the door of a church. A passer by, seeing his struggle offered to help. They pushed and tugged until they were exhausted but it wouldn't move. Finally, the man on the inside said, "We'd better give up, we'll never get this out."
The volunteer on the outside end said, "What do you mean, get it out? I thought you were trying to get it in!"
FREE DOWNLOAD: You can now download the book 'Laughing At Ourselves' in PDF format at LAUGHING AT OURSELVES One of the most comprehensive sources of Christian Humour on the Net with 800 sermon fillers for your entertainment and use at ..... https://www.wwj.org.nz/content/wwj18p47.pdf
Or read them all online at.....
A DAVID MUSING
This week, Kathy and I went to Nairobi, in order to pick up our Residents Permit.
It was a long, 7 hour journey, not so much for the 400km travelled, but because of the low speed of driving.
Here in Kenya, the authorities find the best method of keeping speeds down in the frequent built up areas is to build, often unmarked, speed humps! It works!
Of course, once we got there we found out that the supposedly simple process, was not so simple. Fortunately we had assistance from 2 people who come from our area - plus more money, of course!
After 1 night in the YMCA, we returned home, permitless, but with the promise of receiving them on Monday. Then all the way back.
Patience is one of the spiritual fruits we are meant to develop in our lives, and certainly is a virtue required for a Westerner living in Africa. Without it, you will literally go under through self-generated pressure.
Walking With Jesus does help develop character characteristics to get us through life. While the walk may seem tough, and it is so often, we do develop the tools to cope with what the world throws at us, if we are prepared to allow the character of Jesus to develop in our life.
Worth pondering?
Until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD
His servant and yours
David Tait
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ABOUT US
WALKING WITH JESUS MINISTRIES is a non-profit, non-denominational, Bible based ministry located in Hastings, New Zealand. A ministry dedicated to developing discipleship, fostering unity amongst God's people to achieve the Great Commission, and in doing so, preparing for Christ's return. It is securely based upon the foundational principles of the Apostles Creed while recognising the wide and rich diversity of beliefs amongst Christians in other areas. In accordance with the Lord's direction, materials produced by the ministry are available, free of charge, to genuine enquirers upon request. The ministry is solely funded by donations, as the Lord provides. A list of materials available (plus some fun!) is obtainable and freely downloadable from our websitewwj.org.nz or by contacting us as follows.
Walking With Jesus Ministries
7 Bull Street
Ahuriri
Napier
New Zealand
Phone: (06) 835 0567 International (+64) 6 835 0567
Email: enquiries@wwj.org.nz
Web: wwj.org.nz
Our role is to bless and encourage those in ministry while promoting co-operation and unity of direction amongst the body of Christ, as emphasised 3 times by Jesus in His longest prayer, immediately prior to His arrest and crucifixion. "... so that they may be one as we are one." (John 17:12, 21, 23-4) Our website is currently being developed to encourage your participation one with another, to share resources, and to enable you to promote events and items of interest to the body as a whole - and have a smile while doing it!
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david@wwj.org.nz