Is There a Little Judas in All of Us?

KJV - Luke 22:1-6 Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. (2) And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people. (3) Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. (4) And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them. (5) And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. (6) And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude. 

NIV - Luke 22:1 Now the Feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, (2) and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. (3) Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. (4) And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. (5) They were delighted and agreed to give him money. (6) He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present. 

Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus is Legendary!  The name or word “Judas” has come to be synonymous with being a traitor.  But is there a little Judas in all of us?  Are we more like Judas than we care to admit.

First let me set the stage.  It is my understanding of the scriptures that Judas made his own decisions and went his own way.  He was not forced or in any way manipulated to do this deed, any more than anyone else is tempted to sin.  We MUST understand that there is a difference between God knowing something is going to happen and God making a person perform an action.  At the point that Jesus chose him to be an apostle, he was as deserving as anyone else that was selected.  He simply followed a different path than others.  There lies within each of us the potential to rebel against God in a similar vain as did Judas.  

1 Corinthians 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 

That potential or weakness MUST be guarded against and protected at all times.

Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 

Judas makes some key decisions that led to his demise.  They are traps that Satan is constantly setting for us that we must ALWAYS be on Guard for.

1.  He Spent too much Time with the WRONG People.

Luke 22:4 And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.

This is a mistake that so many people make.  I saw a video just last week of a popular celebrity that is now known for hisChristian lifestyle.  He was telling the story of his younger years in which he too followed a similar path as Judas.  He fell into a life of drugs and alcohol.  The story was so poignant.  It started out like so many of these accounts do:  “I met these new friends....”.  And there began the downfall. There are so many warnings in the Bible to beware of those that have influence over us.  The reason that the Jews entering the promised land were to destroy all of their enemies was for this reason.

Deuteronomy 7:1-4 When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou; (2) And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them: (3) Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. (4) For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly. 

We tend to put our guards down when we are around people that we invite into our lives.  But some of those people do NOT help us to be better Christians, in fact they are just the opposite.  They influence us very subtly to turn away from him.  Judas was around Jesus for much of Jesus’ ministry.  That was not enough to protect him.  When we have free time, do we choose to spend time with people that will encourage us to be faithful to God or are they subtly encouraging us to Sin?

2.  He Loved This World too Much

Luke 22:5 And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. 

Loving this world is a major temptation for Christians.  It can be very difficult to be in this world without getting influenced by it.  The troubling yet subtle point about this is that the things that can cause us to love this world too much is not always inherently sinful.  In fact, they may even be things that are encouraged by God.  Take family for instance.  We are commanded to care for our families but we can so love them that they take priority over God.  

Matthew 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

The same with our careers.  I believe the Bible teaches us that we need to provide for our family, but we can get so caught up in success that it becomes our focus and not God.  Loving this world comes down to keeping our priority on God.  Judas allowed this world to draw him away from God.  

We must learn from the sin, poor judgements and short comings of Judas.  Judas was not an isolated incident.  He was not so overwhelmed with fate.  He chose his path and followed a life of self-indulgence.  Unfortunately, we too can follow the same path as Judas.

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Reflecting His SON,  

Dennis Hogan

Minister, North Hardin Church of Christ

dennis.hogan@icloud.com

1804 Sam Stewart Dr.

Radcliff, KY  40160

Questions, comments or  further explanation?  Contact me at:  dennis.hogan@icloud.com

If you have friends, family, or acquaintances that you feel could benefit from RTS, please forward 

their e-mail address to me and I will add them to my mail list.

Are You Giving Enough?

KJV - Luke 21:1-4 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. (2) And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. (3) And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: (4) For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

NIV - Luke 21:1-4 As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. (2) He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. (3) “I tell you the truth,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. (4) All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

The giving of our financial means is a dangerous topic to discuss; either from the pulpit or in a setting like this.  So much so, I know a gentleman with which I work that says he does not go to any religious assemblies because of this topic.  He claims that every time he goes to a worship service, all they can talk about is everyone giving more money. Either this friend of mine has extremely bad timing or he is going to the services of groups that have their priorities misplaced.  I do have a sense of his discomfort because I have tuned into some religious programming and their only topic was “Send Us Money” thinly veiled with other ramblings.  Many many times not even thinly veiled!  In fact, those kinds of televangelists have caused a term to be created called “Prosperity Gospel”.

Just because other religious groups have followed the path of chasing “Filthy Lucre” (Titus 1:11), does not mean that we should be chased off of the legitimate topic that the Bible teaches.  And so today we shall.

Sometimes as Christians, we tend to be like children.  If we ask our children to do something for us, we are giving them an option to say no.  We have to rephrase it and say: “If you don’t do it, I will have to punish you”.  All too often I see Christians with that same mindset.  They don’t seem to respond to choosing a pattern of behavior simply because it is the best thing to do to bring glory to God, but only when there is a “Thou Shalt” or “Thou Shalt Not”.  In this passage, Jesus is using this opportunity to teach us what is the best pattern of behavior that we should employ.  He is not threatening us.  He is not ordering us.  But simply pointing to an example that we should follow.

Jesus observes many people dropping their offerings into the temple treasury, but one particular person really captures his attention:  The one that drops in the least.  What is really surprising is that he uses her as an example that we SHOULD follow!  The last statement says it all.

NIV - Luke 21:4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

Jesus isn’t really concerned with specific dollar amounts.  He is more concerned with the proportion of our giving.  Do we make him a priority with our money or do we give him only what is “left over”?

There are far greater principles in giving than just the amount of money that is actually collected.  In some ways we can look at it that God does not NEED anything from us because he already owns it all.  The giving of our means is as much for us as it is for God.  Notice how these principles plays into our giving.

1.  Faith or Trust:  Do you really believe that God is going to take care of you if you give more or do you believe that you have to withhold money to take care of yourself?

Matthew 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

2.  Priority:  Is God a priority in your life when it comes to your money?

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

3.  Sacrifice:  There is an element of sacrifice in the giving of our means.  Does the amount that you give hurt you at all or is it so small that it has little effect on you?  Remember Jesus gave his life for us.  Can we really out give God?

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 

Are you giving enough?  Or are you holding back from God.  That is a question that only  you can answer.  You must periodically search yourself to see if you are giving all that you can and should!

Reflecting His SON,  

Dennis Hogan

Minister, North Hardin Church of Christ

dennis.hogan@icloud.com

1804 Sam Steward Dr.

Radcliff, KY  40160

Questions, comments or  further explanation?  Contact me at:  dennis.hogan@icloud.com

If you have friends, family, or acquaintances that you feel could benefit from RTS, please forward 

their e-mail address to me and I will add them to my mail list.

By What Authority?

KJV - Luke 20:1-8 And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders, (2) And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority? (3) And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me: (4) The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? (5) And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not? (6) But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet. (7) And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was. (8) And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

NIV - Luke 20:1-8 One day as he was teaching the people in the temple courts and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him. (2) “Tell us by what authority you are doing these things,” they said. “Who gave you this authority?” (3)  He replied, “I will also ask you a question. Tell me, (4) John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men?” (5) They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’ (6) But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, because they are persuaded that John was a prophet.”  (7)  So they answered, “We don’t know where it was from.” (8)  Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

We looked at this same passage yesterday, but from another viewpoint.  Yesterday, we examined the question of authority in religion being asked by the Pharisees but not really caring about truth.  Today, we want to look at the question itself.  “By What Authority do You Do these things?  That is an great question.  In am glad they asked it.

One of the biggest problems and one of they least discussed issues in religion today is that of Authority in religion.  By what authority do we do what we do religiously?  We could ask the question a bit differently....What does GOD really want?  I am afraid if we gave “truth serum” to many so-called “religious leaders” today and asked them that question, I think they would say they don’t really care what God wants!  Some might think that that is a wild and careless accusation.  But I feel safe in saying that because in most every issue, we already know what God wants because he has already told us!  The fact is, the Bible IS the word of God!  It contains the WILL of God, but most religions are getting farther and farther away from what the Bible requires and following the wishes and desires of man instead!  Here are some cold hard truths about authority!

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

All authority...not most, not some...All authority is given to Jesus!  It was given to Jesus by his father!

Ephesians 1:17, 20-23 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.... (20) Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, (21) Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: (22) And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, (23) Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. 

God gave Jesus to be HEAD over all things to the church.  Period!  Jesus is in control of all religious matters.  So....if Jesus is in control, and ALL authority is given to him, how much authority do we as humans have?  NONE!  Zero!  That means the CEO of the Catholic religion (known as the Pope) has NO authority or right to make or change laws as it pertains to religious matters and service to God.  That also means that any and all other denomination’s councils,  conferences or creeds have NO authority at all!

Here is a good example of what I am talking about.  Since I have been preaching, at least three (maybe more) religious groups have declared that fornication is no longer a sin because it negatively impacts their attendance and giving.  In other words, because so many of their members were participating in that sin, they did not want to run them off by saying it was sin, so they declared it not  to be a sin any longer.  However, Jesus said it is sin and he has ALL of the authority and man’s religious leaders do not.  That is just one of many examples.

So how do we know what God wants?  How do we know what Jesus, the head of the church, has dictated?

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 

God has given us the Bible for us to follow.  It is not just a story book, but rather his WILL for our lives.  That first statement tells us that all of the scripture was inspired or God breathed.  God, through the Holy Spirit, gave the message to the individual writers to record for him that we might have his will.

Jeremiah 30:2 Thus speaketh the LORD God of Israel, saying, Write thee all the words that I have spoken unto thee in a book. 

Notice what Paul tells Timothy the benefits of the inspired word is:

1.  For Doctrine:  There is absolutely no need for a religious group to have a creed book or other kind of manual that they should follow for what they are to do religiously.  The reason for it is that Paul says that the inspired word is to be used for that purpose.  If you have a creed or articles of faith that says more than what the Bible says, It says too much.  If you have a religious doctrine that takes away from what the Bible says, it says to little.

Revelation 22:18-19 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:  (19) And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. 

2.  For Reproof:  The word reproof simply means to show where wrong. If you see me under the back end of the car, and I tell you that I am trying to fix my carburetor, you would do me a great service by informing me that the carburetor is NOT in the back of the car.  By reproving me in that way, you set me on the right course to fixing my problem.  The Bible should be used in that way by anyone that wants to follow God.  None of us are perfect so we should continually be looking to know what is wrong!

3.  For Correction:  Telling me that the carburetor is not in the back of the car, is a great help.  But the best help would be to open the hood and to show me where the carburetor is and to help me fix it.  The Bible does not only tell us when we are wrong, it also sets out for us the ideal path for us to follow

4.  For Instruction in Righteousness: Wise people know that life is a constant journey of knowledge and learning.  The Bible is not always about right and wrong, sometimes it simply shows us a more perfect way.  Love is one of those things that we as humans can always grow in, so by studying the Bible, we can constantly improve on loving like God does.

Following God is not like eating at a salad bar.  We cannot pick and choose what commandments that we like and the ones that we don’t.  Instead, we must understand that God is our master...a loving master that wants the absolute best for us.  And in order to benefit from his love, mercy and grace, we must be willing to submit ourselves wholly to him.  That means by definition that we do not have a vote in how that we do things.  Because God is in Control and I must simply...lovingly...and totally follow his direction.

One more critically important point on this issue....

John 5:19   Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. 

John 8:29   And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.  

John 5:30   I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. 

Also John 8:28 ,  John 8:38,  John 12:50,  John 12:49,  John 14:10 says the same thing.  So if Jesus, the Son of God, the one that has ALL authority, stated on at least 8 occasion that he was unable to do his own thing or teach his own opinion...What makes us think that we are better than Jesus and we can change, disregard, or suspend the will of God?  It is the height of arrogance to think that we can make religion fit mankind.  Instead, we must teach and promote that mankind MUST repent and conform to the will of God!

Reflecting His SON,  

Dennis Hogan

Minister, North Hardin Church of Christ

dennis.hogan@icloud.com

1804 Sam Stewart Dr.

Radcliff, KY  40160

Questions, comments or  further explanation?  Contact me at:  dennis.hogan@icloud.com

If you have friends, family, or acquaintances that you feel could benefit from RTS, please forward 

their e-mail address to me and I will add them to my mail list.

Do You ONLY Hear What You Want to Hear?

KJV - Luke 20:1-8 And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders, (2) And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority? (3) And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me: (4) The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? (5) And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not? (6) But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet. (7) And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was. (8) And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

NIV - Luke 20:1-8 One day as he was teaching the people in the temple courts and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him. (2) “Tell us by what authority you are doing these things,” they said. “Who gave you this authority?” (3)  He replied, “I will also ask you a question. Tell me, (4) John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or from men?” (5) They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’ (6) But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, because they are persuaded that John was a prophet.”  (7)  So they answered, “We don’t know where it was from.” (8)  Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

Preaching can sometimes be stressful because, more often than I like to admit, I am informed that I say things incorrectly.  Not that I preach error, just that my mouth may work faster than my mind.  For instance, I may mistakenly place Moses on the ark with all of the animals.  Just a slip of the tongue, but I have a congregation of people that will point it out.  

Jesus had a similar situation....but on steroids!  He was constantly being followed by Pharisees and lawyers in hopes that they would catch him in a real quandary with the Law of Moses.  They were not looking to correct him, or even embarrass him.  They were looking for a reason to kill him.

Luke 11:54 Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him. 

So is the situation that we find in the text today.  The chief priests come to Jesus questioning him in hopes they can find a legal reason to kill him.  The question that they ask is important:  “By what authority do you do these things?”  That is a great question that we each individually ought to seek out.  We will examine that answer tomorrow.  But for today, I want to examine the mindset that we pretend to seek answers and knowledge, but it is only a pretense.

When the Pharisees and scribes asked Jesus this question, they were not deeply concerned for truth.  They were not out to seek knowledge.  They did not really care about truly understanding the will of God.  They only asked to catch Jesus in a occasion that they could justify killing him.

Can we not...Do we not too sometimes make a pretense that we are seeking knowledge about the will of God, but in fact have no desire to apply the facts that are found?  Here is a fact that we MUST realize and cannot get around.

Matthew 7:1-14 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:  (14) Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

JESUS says that only a FEW will find there way through the gate that leads to life.   That means by definition that MOST will find their way through the gate that leads to destruction.  Is that what the religious world teaches? Not at all.  Most people sees it exactly opposite.  That means there are a lot of religious people that BELIEVE they are saved but are not!  How can this be?  Because too many people only PRETEND to seek knowledge of Salvation therefore they never find it...but they believe they do.

Matthew 13:10-16 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? (11) He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. (12) For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. (13) Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. (14) And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: (15) For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. (16) But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

This dialogue was given to the disciples after Jesus gave the parable of the Sower.  They wondered why he spoke in parables instead of just coming out and saying what needed to be said.  The key to his answer is in verse 15.  He said that many people if not most people will not TRULY hear because they have closed their own ears to the truth so that they do not have to change.  In short, people want to do want they want to do and they do not want to change to please God.  So they fool themselves into thinking they are “being religious”.

What about you?  Do you only hear what you want to hear or are you willing to read the Bible with an open mind with at true desire to glean what God intended for us to understand?

Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. 

Reflecting His SON,  

Dennis Hogan

Minister, North Hardin Church of Christ

dennis.hogan@icloud.com

1804 Sam Stewart Dr.

Radcliff, KY  40160

Questions, comments or  further explanation?  Contact me at:  dennis.hogan@icloud.com

If you have friends, family, or acquaintances that you feel could benefit from RTS, please forward 

their e-mail address to me and I will add them to my mail list.

The Broken Heart of God!

NOTE:  I apologize for laying out for about a month without a new RTS.  I had surgery about a month ago to remove a baseball sizes malignate tumor.  The doctor says that they got it all, but that will remain to be seen.  I would appreciate your prayers.

KJV - Luke 19:41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, 

NIV - Luke 19:41  As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it

It is tough being a parent.  All a parent really wants is the best for their child.  You just want them to be healthy and happy and to progress into responsible, God fearing adults.  Unfortunately though, as they get older,   they begin to make decisions on their own that we, as parents, gradually lose influence over them.  At least once in their lives, a child will make a terrible error in judgement and all a parent can do is weep and then try to help pick up the pieces.

That is the scene for our text today.  Jesus, looking over the city of Jerusalem, weeps over what it had become.  Jesus had no more influence or control over the behavior of those....his people, than do parents and their children.  God over the generations tried and tried and tried and tried, but he simply could not convice the people to repent and live according to his will.  Let’s look at a similar passage in Matthew that gives a bit more information.

Matthew 23:34-37  Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: (35) That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. (36) Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. (37) O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

What beautiful imagery Jesus uses to convey his message.  Like a mother hen would gather her chicks under her wings for their protection at the site of danger, Jesus likewise would and ultimately does make the supreme sacrifice to save his people.  God sent prophets, teachers and wise men to call them back.  However, the people either dismissed them or killed them so that they may continue their selfish, obstinate lives.  Often times still believing that they were right with God.  Just look at the behaviors of the Pharisees of Jesus time.

Matthew 23:23-29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. (24) Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. (25) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. (26) Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. (27) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. (28) Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. (29) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous.....  (33) Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

The Jews during Jesus time gave the appearance that they were HIGHLY religious, but Jesus said clearly they were far from it.  In fact, he asks the rhetorical question.. “How  can you escape the damnation of Hell”?  It’s NOT about the “Optics” but more about the heart and the actions of men.  But it was not new with the contemporaries of Jesus.

KJV - Genesis 6:5-6 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (6) And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 

NIV - Genesis 6:5-6  The LORD saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. (6) The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. 

This behavior of rebelling against God or simply ignoring God is heart breaking to him.  God has not gotten over it over the last 2,000 years.  Our similar behaviors continues to cause God to grieve, just like a parent witnessing the implosion of a child due to their own bad behaviors.

The question is:  Do you please God or do you cause him to greive over your destructive, rebellious or apathetic behavior or actions?

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 

Reflecting His SON,  

Dennis Hogan

Minister, North Hardin Church of Christ

dennis.hogan@icloud.com

1804 Sam Stewart Dr.

Radcliff, KY  40160

Questions, comments or  further explanation?  Contact me at:  dennis.hogan@icloud.com

If you have friends, family, or acquaintances that you feel could benefit from RTS, please forward 

their e-mail address to me and I will add them to my mail list.

Wishy Washy Discipleship

KJV - Luke 19:37-38 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;  (38) Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. 

There is a term in politics known as “Flip-Flopping”  It is a term that indicates a politicians inability, lack of courage, or unwillingness to stick to a political position.  A “Flip-Flopper” will have the tendency to pander to any and all influential groups to make them believe that they share values and points of view.  It is when a politician does this with diametrically opposed concepts that he is labeled a “Flip-Flopper”.  For instance a politician goes to a gathering of people that oppose war and tells them that he too opposes war and then goes soon there after and vehemently agrees with a group that sees the need to take some sort of militaristic action.  He has flip-flopped in his views of the use of military action.

Unfortunately, politicians do not have the market cornered on being wishy washy or flip-flopping.  It happens in Christianity on a regular basis.  Our text today shows one side of a major flip flop.  Our text tells of Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem one week before he is arrested, beaten and hung on the cross. As he comes into town, he is greeted as a conqueror coming home from a major victory.  Notice their reaction.

1.  The multitude Rejoiced

2.  They Praised God with a loud voice (they were shouting)

3.  They Celebrated Jesus’ Mighty Works (Miracles)

4.  They Shouted “Blessed be the King” (that will work against him)

5.  They Shouted that he came on behalf of God

For most people that claim to be followers of Jesus, this is all stuff that we can get behind.  These are general concepts that we accept and would agree with.  Even in the right setting, we too might shout these praises onto him.

Now for the flip side.

KJV - Luke 23:13-21 And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, (14) Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him: (15) No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him. (16) I will therefore chastise him, and release him. (17) (For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.) (18) And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:  (19) (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.) (20) Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them. (21) But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. 

Just a week after he makes his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, a crowd gathers after the arrest of Jesus to hear the trial by the Romans via Pontus Pilate.  PIlate questions Jesus and in verse 15 says that he did not find a crime worthy of death and was willing to release him.  But the crowd intervened.  Instead of praising him and celebrating his mighty works, this crowd yells:  Crucify him!

Now that is wishy washy!

Some might say..surely that is a completely different crowd.  Was it?  Do we know that?  I know of at least 12 men that were in both crowds.  Is that all that was common to both?  

Even if it was...where were the 12 apostles when Jesus needed defending?  They were SILENT and allowed Jesus to be tried and executed without a soul defending him.

Are we equally Wishy Washy?  Do we Flip-Flop our positions, values, morals and loyalties depending on who we are around?  Do we pander to the world to get their approval?  Do we praise Jesus’ name on Sunday and sing “Oh How I Love Jesus” during Sunday worship and then hide the rest of the week when Jesus, his will and his commands need defending?

We must know WHO we are, to whom we are loyal and be willing to go to the grave in defense of our Master!

Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. (33) But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 12:30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

1 Corinthians 15:58  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 

Reflecting His SON,  

Dennis Hogan

Minister, North Hardin Church of Christ

dennis.hogan@icloud.com

1804 Sam Stewart Dr.

Radcliff, KY  40160

Questions, comments or  further explanation?  Contact me at:  dennis.hogan@icloud.com

If you have friends, family, or acquaintances that you feel could benefit from RTS, please forward 

their e-mail address to me and I will add them to my mail list.

You Cannot Be A Spectator!

KJV - Luke 19:12 He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. (13) And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. (14) But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. (15) And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. (16) Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. (17) And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. (18) And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. (19) And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities. (20) And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin: (21) For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow. (22) And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow: (23) Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury? 

When it comes to sporting events, there are two basic groups of people: The Participants (the players, coaches referees etc.) and the Fans:  those that sit back and watch.  The participants do all of the “work” putting on a show for the fans to see.  Often in our society, the fans live vicariously through the players that they watch.  In doing so, fans can get irate at those actually doing the work because, in their minds, they could have done it better.  In reality many of those spectators just doing the watching, could NEVER do what the players do.

In our text today, Jesus describes these same two kinds of people that claim to be followers of him:  The Doers and the Watchers.  He tells of a nobleman that takes a trip to a far country and leaves his business to 3 servants.  The first two servants were Doers.  Each took what was given for them to manage and invested it to benefit their master upon his return.  Due to their responsible stewardship, they were rewarded handsomely for their effort.  One important point to note is that our Lord did not require the same results for everyone.  Instead,  he only expected results based upon their individual abilities and talents.

The third servant was just a watcher.  He simply did nothing.  He claimed that he did nothing because he was afraid....but in the end....he still did nothing.  What was Jesus’ reaction to the one man that did nothing.  Jesus called him wicked!  The words “Wicked” and “Evil” have all but been struck from our modern day language.  Most people think its too judgmental.  Many think the words are too absolute (How can we possibly attribute such an absolute characteristic to anyone with different values).  If those words are used, they apply only to the most extremes like Adolf Hitler.  But Jesus uses the word “Wicked” to describe a man that DID NOTHING.  We are NOT to assume that he was wicked for some other reason.  He was being compared to the others for only one thing.  We are to assume then, that all other aspects of his life were comparable to the other servants.  The ONLY difference was his lack of action!

Are we required to DO something once we become Christians?  Jesus says we do.  

In fact, Jesus calls us wicked if we don’t.  We do not “DO” in order to gain or earn salvation....We must DO because we HAVE salvation!  We must “DO” because Jesus “DID”!  We must “DO” because God “DID”!

James 1:22-25 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. (23) For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: (24) For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. (25) But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 

There is an old saying among groups like religious organizations:  20% of the people do 80% of the work.  If that is true, there are a LOT of spectators!  Doing the bare minimum to get by is not a reasonable attitude.  Having our names on a church roll is not enough.    Wearing a crucifix around your neck everyday is not enough.  Just occupying a pew on Sundays is not enough....Even if it is every week.  There is more for each of us to do.

Christianity is NOT a spectator sport.  We MUST be the participants not the watchers!

Reflecting His SON,  

Dennis Hogan

Minister, North Hardin Church of Christ

dennis.hogan@icloud.com

1804 Sam Stewart Dr.

Radcliff, KY  40160

Questions, comments or  further explanation?  Contact me at:  dennis.hogan@icloud.com

If you have friends, family, or acquaintances that you feel could benefit from RTS, please forward 

their e-mail address to me and I will add them to my mail list.