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Inherit Eternal Life: Leaving Everything and Ever-Lasting Promise — Matthew 19 #4

The Rich and the Kingdom of God

25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”

26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”

28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife[e] or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.

Promise of Eternal Life, Returns and Rewards Matthew 19:29, Mark 10:28-30

30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

References & reflections

[1] https://www.gotquestions.org/camel-eye-needle.html
[2] https://www.thejoshlink.com/article290.htm
[3] https://parablesreception.blogspot.com/2018/05/the-eye-of-needle-is-not-gate.html
[4] https://johndavies.typepad.com/blog/love-comes-blinking-through-the-needles-eye.html
[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_7:13
[6] https://www.gotquestions.org/first-last-last-first.html
[7] https://bibleaboutmoney.finance.blog/2020/02/21/eye-of-a-needle-narrow-path-kingdom-of-god-matthew-19-1/

Eye of a Needle, Narrow Path, Kingdom of God — Matthew 19 #1

The Rich and the Kingdom of God

16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”

17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”

18 “Which ones?” he inquired.

Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’[c] and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’[d]

20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”

21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

Matthew 19:21

22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.

24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

Matthew 19:24

References & reflections

[1] https://www.gotquestions.org/camel-eye-needle.html
[2] https://www.thejoshlink.com/article290.htm
[3] https://parablesreception.blogspot.com/2018/05/the-eye-of-needle-is-not-gate.html
[4] https://johndavies.typepad.com/blog/love-comes-blinking-through-the-needles-eye.html
[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_7:13

Mysterious Riches of Christ —Ephesians 3 #1

Ephesians 3 New Living Translation (NLT)

God’s Mysterious Plan Revealed

When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles[a] . . . assuming, by the way, that you know God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles. As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me. As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets.

And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.[b] By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.

Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. I was chosen to explain to everyone[c] this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning.

10 God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.

12 Because of Christ and our faith in him,[d] we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. 13 So please don’t lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored.

REFERENCES & REFLECTIONS

  1. 3:1 Paul resumes this thought in verse 14: “When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father.”
  2. 3:6 Or because they are united with Christ Jesus.
  3. 3:9 Some manuscripts do not include to everyone.
  4. 3:12 Or Because of Christ’s faithfulness.

No Fear! Lord Our Shepherd — Psalm 23 #3

Psalm 23 New Living Translation (NLT)

A psalm of David.

The Lord is my shepherd;
    I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
    he leads me beside peaceful streams.
    He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
    bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk
    through the darkest valley,[a]
I will not be afraid,
    for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
    protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
    My cup overflows with blessings.

Psalm 23:1-5

Agreements: No Selfishness. Christian Will, Witnesses, and Gospel Harmony

Amos 3:3

Dealing With Sin in the Church

15“If your brother or sister b sins, c go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.

16But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ d

17If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

18“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be e bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be f loosed in heaven.

19 “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.
20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Matthew 18:19-20

Questions about 2 or 3 witnesses?

[1] https://www.manual4life.org/en/2-3-witnesses/
[2] https://agapegeek.com/2010/01/21/key-to-understanding-in-the-mouth-of-2-or-3-witnesses/
[3] http://www.bereanchristadelphian.com/Guidelns/Proofs.htm
[4] https://hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/questions/26312/what-does-the-phrase-in-the-mouth-of-two-or-three-witnesses-mean-in-2-corinthi
[5] https://www.gotquestions.org/where-two-or-three-are-gathered.html
[6] https://www.gotquestions.org/two-witnesses.html
[7] https://www.gotquestions.org/fourfold-witness.html
[8] https://www.gotquestions.org/cloud-of-witnesses.html

Saving the Lost & Littlest: Son of Man — Matthew 18 Children of God #2

The Parable of the Wandering Sheep

10“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.

[11] a For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

12“What do you think?

If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?
13And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.
14In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

Matthew 18:12b-14

References & Reflections

[1] https://chongsoonkim.blogspot.com/2015/08/become-like-little-children-if-you-want.html
[2] https://themillennialbridge.com/matthew-181-6greatest-in-the-kingdom-of-heaven1-at-that-time-the-disciples-ca/
[3] https://www.catholicteacherresources.com/webquest-parable-of-the-lost-sheep/

Who’s the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven? — Matthew 18 Children of God #2

The Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven

1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

2He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them.
3And he said:

“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 

Matthew 17:3b

4Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

Saving the Lost & the Littlest

For the Son of Man has come to save that which has been lost.

Matthew 18:11

References & Reflections

[1] https://chongsoonkim.blogspot.com/2015/08/become-like-little-children-if-you-want.html
[2] https://themillennialbridge.com/matthew-181-6greatest-in-the-kingdom-of-heaven1-at-that-time-the-disciples-ca/

Prostitute of Proverbs: Pay Attention to Parents’ Wisdom — Proverbs 5 #2

King Solomon in all his human wisdom fell for idolatrous adulteresses, and thereby failed the Kingdom went astray from God’s grace

Proverbs 5

Warning Against Adultery

1My son, pay attention to my wisdom,

turn your ear to my words of insight,

2that you may maintain discretion

and your lips may preserve knowledge.

3For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey,

and her speech is smoother than oil;

4but in the end she is bitter as gall,

sharp as a double-edged sword.

5Her feet go down to death;

her steps lead straight to the grave.

6She gives no thought to the way of life;

her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.

7Now then, my sons, listen to me;

do not turn aside from what I say.



15Drink water from your own cistern,

running water from your own well.

16Should your springs overflow in the streets,

your streams of water in the public squares?

17Let them be yours alone,

never to be shared with strangers.
.
18May your fountain be blessed,

and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.

19A loving doe, a graceful deer—

may her breasts satisfy you always,

may you ever be intoxicated with her love.

21For your ways are in full view of the Lord,

and he examines all your paths.

22The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them;

the cords of their sins hold them fast.

23For lack of discipline they will die,

led astray by their own great folly.

Proverbs 5:1-8, 15-23

God’s Grace and Forgiveness

Jesus and the sinful woman

The Parable of the Two Sons

28“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’

29“ ‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

30“Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.

31“Which of the two did what his father wanted?”

“The first,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.

32For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

Matthew 21:28-32

qUESTIONS ON PROSTITUTION IN THE bible?

  1. What does the Bible say about adultery? – ActiveChristianity
  2. What Does the Bible Say About Adultery? – OpenBible.info
  3. Sacred Prostitution in the Story of Judah and Tamar? – Biblical …
  4. https://www.gotquestions.org/prostitution-Bible.html
  5. https://www.gotquestions.org/whoremonger.html
  6. https://www.gotquestions.org/spirit-of-prostitution.html
  7. https://www.gotquestions.org/Hosea-marry-prostitute.html

References & reflections

[1] Women in Jesus’ Genealogy – The Good Book Blog – Biola …
[2] Prostitutes, Mistresses, and the Messiah | Desiring God
[3] Topical Bible: Women: Tamar, in Her Adultery – Bible Hub
[4] https://www.thecompassnews.org/2012/12/jesus-genealogy-the-bad-girls-in-the-family-tree/
[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_and_the_woman_taken_in_adultery
[6] https://frankboulet.wordpress.com/2019/03/20/tax-collectors-prostitutes/
[7] Matthew 21:23-32

Prostitute of Proverbs: Pay Attention to Parents’ Wisdom — Proverbs 5 #1

Whore of Babylon – Spirit of Adultery

Proverbs 5

Warning Against Adultery

1My son, pay attention to my wisdom,

turn your ear to my words of insight,

2that you may maintain discretion

and your lips may preserve knowledge.

3For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey,

and her speech is smoother than oil;

4but in the end she is bitter as gall,

sharp as a double-edged sword.

5Her feet go down to death;

her steps lead straight to the grave.

6She gives no thought to the way of life;

her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.

7Now then, my sons, listen to me;

do not turn aside from what I say.

8Keep to a path far from her,

do not go near the door of her house,

9lest you lose your honor to others

and your dignity a to one who is cruel,

10lest strangers feast on your wealth

and your toil enrich the house of another.

Proverbs 5:1-10

God’s Grace and Forgiveness

Jesus and the sinful woman

The Parable of the Two Sons

28“What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’

29“ ‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.

30“Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go.

31“Which of the two did what his father wanted?”

“The first,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.

32For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

Matthew 21:28-32

qUESTIONS ON PROSTITUTION IN THE bible?

  1. What does the Bible say about adultery? – ActiveChristianity
  2. What Does the Bible Say About Adultery? – OpenBible.info
  3. Sacred Prostitution in the Story of Judah and Tamar? – Biblical …
  4. https://www.gotquestions.org/prostitution-Bible.html
  5. https://www.gotquestions.org/whoremonger.html
  6. https://www.gotquestions.org/spirit-of-prostitution.html
  7. https://www.gotquestions.org/Hosea-marry-prostitute.html

References & reflections

[1] Women in Jesus’ Genealogy – The Good Book Blog – Biola …
[2] Prostitutes, Mistresses, and the Messiah | Desiring God
[3] Topical Bible: Women: Tamar, in Her Adultery – Bible Hub
[4] https://www.thecompassnews.org/2012/12/jesus-genealogy-the-bad-girls-in-the-family-tree/
[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_and_the_woman_taken_in_adultery
[6] https://frankboulet.wordpress.com/2019/03/20/tax-collectors-prostitutes/
[7] Matthew 21:23-32