Shepherds

Luke 2:17:

“When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child.”

What did the shepherds do when they had seen the Lord Jesus Christ?

The Bible tells us that “they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child.”

What does the Bible say about the Lord Jesus Christ?

"Seasons Greetings"

“Seasons Greetings”

The Bible is full of lessons about God the Son.

Let me just mention  a few:

1. The Virgin Birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Virgin Birth is foretold in the Old Testament (Isaiah 7:14). In Luke 2:4-6 we see the historic fulfillment of the prophecy:

“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem, the town of David.”

2.  The Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ.

3.  The Commands of the Lord Jesus Christ.

4.  The Death of the Lord Jesus Christ.

5.  The Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

6.  The Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us remember that  the shepherds “spread the word” after “they had seen the Lord Jesus Christ.” It is the same with us. We can only be His witnesses after we have seen Him.

It is soon Christmas! Can I ask you, “Have you seen HIM?”

SHEEP

SHEEP

What a Surprise!

I did not expect a surprise, when I picked up the small card from the literature table at the local Salvation Army place here in town.

Salvation Army Hall on Commerce Street in KAITAIA

Salvation Army Hall on Commerce Street in KAITAIA

The card is produced by the Salvation Army.

“Helping Kiwis in need,” it says on one side in big letters.

On the other side is a beautiful picture and on the right side I read “OPEN HERE”.

Other people must have followed the instruction before me. But when I opened the picture window properly, I read:

“THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HAS MADE; LET US REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT.” (Psalm 118:24).

I am not only surprised, but I am also encouraged.

Let us say it together:

“This is the day

that the Lord has made;

let us rejoice and

be glad in it.”

“WANT IT RIGHT NOW?”

“Want it right now?”

That is a question and questions need an answer.

The word greed comes to my mind, when I am thinking about the question “Want it right now?”

What does the dictionary say about greed and what does the Bible say about greed?

The Collins English Dictionary says that greed is an excessive desire for something. People who have  an excessive desire for personal possessions are greedy.

But what does the Bible say about greed?

Let us find out what Paul says about greed, what Peter says about greed and finally what the Lord Jesus Christ says about greed.

1.  Here is what Paul says:

"Want it right now?"

“Want it right now?”

God’s wrath is against mankind, because we have become filled with greed, in fact with every kind of greed.

True followers of the Lord Jesus Christ are holy people. And greed is improper for people who are following the Lord Jesus Christ.

Among followers of the Lord Jesus Christ must not even be a hint of greed.

Paul says also that greed is idolatry and that greed must be put to death. He writes that to the Colossians.

There were even lawsuits among believers in the church at Corinth and in that connection Paul warns the believers that greedy people will not inherit the kingdom of God.

He writes the same in his letter to the Ephesians.

(Romans 1:29; Ephesians 5:3; Colossians 3:5; First Corinthians 6:10 and Ephesians 5:5)

2.  Here is what Peter says:

Peter in his second letter talks about false teachers and their destruction. He writes that they are experts in greed and he calls them an accursed brood.

Peter also warns the elders in his first letter not to be greedy for money.

(Second Peter 2:14; First Peter 5:2)

3.  And finally this is what the Lord Jesus Christ says:

The Lord Jesus Christ tells us to watch out and to be on our guard.

Here are his words as recorded in Luke 12:15:

“‘WATCH OUT! BE ON YOUR GUARD AGAINST ALL KINDS OF GREED; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.'”

(Luke 12:15)

“Want it right now?” “No, I don’t want it right now!”

What I have learned today …

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED TODAY …

(1)

… about conversion, being born again, regeneration, the new creation, the great change.

The whole man, our whole personality is involved in the great change.

Romans 6:17 (NIV)

1.  “…, your wholeheartedly …” – My EMOTIONS  are involved.

2.  “… obeyed …” – My WILL is involved.

3.  “… the form of teaching to which you were entrusted.” – I apprehend teaching (doctrine) with my MIND.

The whole man is affected by regeneration.

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I learned it while reading the book called THE NEW MAN by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Exposition of Chapter 6, The New Man.