That Nation will not Endure

Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

Matt 21:43 (KJV)

     A nation will not endure which has turned its back on the Lord. God will strip away His blessings and protection from those who claim to be His when they turn their backs on Him. It happened to Israel. It is happening (unless our nation miraculously repents) to the United States of America. It happened to England. It happened to France. It happened to Nineveh. O Lord, may we be a nation (group of people) who bring forth fruits of repentance!

The Heaviness of Riches

Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.…When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? 26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Matt 19:23,25-26 (KJV)

     It is hard for a rich man to admit his need and come to Christ. O how they trust in riches though their hearts are sorrowed by it! But there is hope for even the rich man—with God nothing is possible! May you always remember that the phrase “with God all things are possible” was a direct answer of Jesus to His disciples questions of if it is hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven then who can be saved?

The Cities Jesus told to Repent

Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: 21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.

Matt 11:20-21 (KJV)

       Jesus told the cities that He did His mightiest works in that judgment was coming because they did not repent. Have we repented? ….may we not hear this chastisement of our Lord…but “well done, ….you have come to Me and been faithful.”

The Commands, Teachings and Life of our Lord Jesus Christ: Matthew 4:12-17

Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; 13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: 14 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, 15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; 16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.

 

       After Jesus was tempted by Satan for forty days and night in the desert and then was strengthened by Angels, Jesus heard that John was thrown into prison so Jesus departed into Galilee (the upper portion of Israel, far from Jerusalem and the Jordan).

Map from: Bible Explorer 4: Maps & Atlases: Maps: Jesus’ Journeys

 

        After going home to Nazareth in Galilee for a short time, Jesus went to live in Capernaum, which would end up being His “base of operations” throughout his ministry. Jesus went to Capernaum and the region of Galilee to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah which said:

Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. 2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

Isaiah 9:1-2 (KJV)

 I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; 7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

Isaiah 42:6-7 (KJV)

    Galilee was a rural area, bordering on the land of the Gentiles (non Jews). Many of the people where fishermen and the average Galilean was much kinder than the typical snobbish Pharisee and Sadducees which gathered in Jerusalem and the cities of the south.

17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

      And from that time on what did Jesus do? He began to preach the same call that John the Baptist had preached, “Repent: for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand,” only He would go even further by feeding His sheep through parables. It is very important to realize that Jesus never studied the population to see what message would be best received when He taught the Word of God. Instead, Jesus obeyed His Father, taught truth, stood for what was right, and stood against injustice and pride. Jesus was by no means a people pleaser and that is largely why people didn’t like Him.

Matt 4:12-17 (KJV)

The Commands, Teachings, and Life of our Lord Jesus Christ: Matthew 4:8-11

Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

     Next, the Devil transports Jesus to a high mountain and caused Him to see all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. Satan tempts Jesus with power, wealth, and position (all of which Jesus eternally has with His Father). But Satan’s subtle tactics are about to clearly show his motives.

9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

     Satan bluntly tells Christ that he will give Him basically the world if He falls down and worships him! How ridiculous! Satan doesn’t own the world and deal it out to people, God is the King of Kings! ….but often Christians have fallen prey to Satan’s false clamor and lie that he is in control and, it they will work with him, that they can have a piece of power, of wealth, of prominence.

10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

        Jesus again battles Satan with the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17), again laying open Satan’s deception and standing upon the Truth that is revealed in God’s Word: “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” We do not serve Satan. We are not to bow our knee in our hearts, physically with our bodies, or in compromises. We are not to serve the world and worship its wealth and allurements. No, we are to worship and serve God alone with all our heart, all our strength, all our mind, and all our soul.

 11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

         After this third temptation and defeat by the Word of God, Satan departed and angels came and ministered to Jesus! O how we must also remember that in the midst of our battles and temptations, God is awaiting to strengthen us at the end.

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Isaiah 41:10 (KJV)

When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. 18 I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.

Isaiah 41:17-18 (KJV)

Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. 11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

1 Cor 10:6-14 (KJV)

Matt 4:8-11 (KJV)

The Commands, Teachings, and Life of our Lord Jesus Christ: Matthew 4:5-7

Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,

     Satan transported Jesus, when He was tempting Him this second time, to Jerusalem and set Jesus at the highest point of the temple.

6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

     Notice what Satan does. He tells Jesus to prove that He is the Son of God by jumping off the temple, why? Because Satan knows very well that Scripture says that God has angles that He will dispatch to project His Son until Jesus lays down His life for the whole world and if Christ jumps then He is acting of His own will and not the will of His Father.

 

     Remember that Satan is not ignorant of the Word of God. As a matter of fact he probably knows it better than you and he is very skilled at deceiving by twisting its meaning. Satan even comes as with the appearance of being an angel of light (messenger of God). The Scripture does not say that Satan sometimes does this, but that he does this.

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

2 Cor 11:13-15 (KJV)

7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

     Jesus responds to Satan again with Scripture, again holding fast to the true meaning of God’s Word. Like Jesus, we should not presume to hold God to His promises in order to prove ourselves to others—that is tempting the Lord. For example, praying fervently for a sick member of our church is not a bad thing, but if we attempt to pray for healing or perform a miracle through God’s power just so that our identity as Christians will be confirmed before someone else, we are probably tempting God. Now, I am not saying God is not tempted (enticed) to sin but that we provoke Him. Let’s look at a definition and some Scripture to clarify this:

Webster’s 1828 defines tempt as to encite to something wrong by presenting arguments that are plausible or convincing, in Scripture, to try ; to prove ; to put on trial for proof.

 

Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God….

Deut 6:16 (KJV)

 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. 16 Do not err, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

James 1:13-18 (KJV)

Matt 4:5-7 (KJV)

The Commands, Teachings and Life of our Lord Jesus Christ: Matthew 4:2-4

And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.

     Our Lord Jesus fasted forty days and forty nights and as a result, he was hungry. Look at what Satan tempted Christ with as extremely sharp hunger pangs were shooting through his body:

3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

 

      Satan told Jesus to prove that He was the Son of God and use His power for His own comfort—to turn stones to bread to satisfy His hunger. As we saw in previous lessons, Jesus did nothing of His own will—Jesus was completely devoted to His Father. His Father’s will, empowered by the Holy Spirit, directed Jesus Christ’s every action, decision, and word.

       Jesus was led into the desert to be tempted…and what we see is that Satan tries to first of all to get Christ to yield to using God for His own comfort and ease. How often today have American Christians attempted to make their Faith comfortable and declare that because they serve the Lord that they will receive health, wealth, possessions, marriage, or some other selfish motive. Their goal and prayer is not crying out the Lord for a marriage partner or for the healing of a dear friend because they know God alone has the power to heal and direct, but rather they presumptuously attempt to use God’s power to make their own will (desire) come to pass.

 4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

         How did Jesus answer? With truth: man does not live by bread (the physical) alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. The prophets in the Old Testament almost always had hard lives. People were seeking to kill them, they wandered around in deserted places, they didn’t have wealth and depended on God for everything they had; but they truly had life because they lived by the words that came from the very mouth of God. Too often we attempt to substitute material things for the real prizes God offers us: a relationship with Him, His Body, and slavery to Christ. Jesus passed the test in this temptation by clinging to the truth of God and not acting because of His own physical desires, but rather, submitting Himself to God and quoting absolute truth (the Bible) back to Satan.

Matt 4:2-4 (KJV)

The Commands, Teachings, and Life of our Lord Jesus Christ: Matthew 4:1

 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

        It is very important to understand this one verse. Jesus set us a perfect example in everything He did. Jesus personified every gift of the Spirit in a proper, God-honoring way: prophecy, faith, word of knowledge, word of wisdom, giving, teaching, apostleship, pastoring, etc… Jesus even set us an example in how to follow the Holy Spirit. Jesus did not do anything of His own will, He did not even equate His authority equal to God the Father’s. Jesus did not do anything because of His own authority—look:

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.

John 5:30 (KJV)

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Phil 2:6-11 (KJV)

    Jesus, was led by the Spirit. Jesus obeyed the promptings of the Holy Spirit! And look what this verse says: Jesus followed the Spirit into the desert to do what? To be tempted by the devil. Jesus was tempted in every single way we are, yet without sin. This is not a figurative thing, no Jesus underwent temptation but never submitted, setting us an example.

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Heb 4:14-15 (KJV)

 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. 16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

James 1:13-16 (KJV)

Matt 4:1 (KJV)

The Commands, Teachings, and Life of our Lord Jesus Christ: Matthew 3:13-17

Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness.

    Jesus came to John at the Jordan to be baptized. This would mark the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. After He left Galilee for John, Jesus would no longer be a carpenter as he had been for so long. John objected to baptizing Jesus because he knew that He needed Jesus to baptize him, not the other way around. But Jesus told John to suffer it. God’s will was for Christ to be baptized and empowered by the Spirit; therefore, setting us an example in these areas. Any who claims to follow Christ but will not be obedient to the Command of Christ the Lord to be baptized as He, though He was God was, is not making a mere choice of preference, but is directly disobeying.

Then he suffered him. 16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

   Imagine that moment in time. John, it appears rather reluctantly, baptized Jesus and as soon as Jesus came up out of the water and John saw the heavens open and the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting Christ. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

  

    It is significant to note that things that followed Jesus’ baptism do not appear to have been seen by all who were at the baptism of Jesus. If they were, Jesus undoubtedly would have had some Jews asking questions. It was John the Baptist who saw these things alone—examine the verses above, no mention of others seeing these things is recorded (and not in the other Gospel accounts either), but only that “the heaves where opened unto him”. The Gospel of John written by Jesus’ disciple John (not John the Baptist, but another) seems to clarify this insight:

And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. 33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. 34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. 35 Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; 36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

John 1:32-36 (KJV)

Matt 3:13-17 (KJV)

The Commands, Teachings, and Life of Our Lord Jesus Christ: Matthew 3:7-12

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

       John the Baptist knew that the Pharisees and Sadducees were corrupt in their heart so he called them out, similarly to how Jesus would later on. John said, “You’re a bunch of poisonous snakes—who warned you to flee from the wrath (God’s judgment on the ungodly) that is to come?” Then he points out that if they are really going to flee from the wrath to come that they must truly repent and bring forth fruit evidencing that change of life, heart, and direction. In short, that they have true faith because genuine faith is evidenced by works (James 2:14-26) [not to say that works make faith because they don’t].

 9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

     John also told the Pharisees and Sadducees, don’t claim that because you are the blood descendants of Abraham that you’re safe. No, God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones. In short—lay down your pride and humble yourself!

10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

     John gets to the heart as he flows in his God-given gift of prophetic directness—the axe is at the root of the trees (you); every tree that doesn’t bring forth good fruit (a life evidencing their sincere faith, not legalism) will be cut down and cast into the fire (Hell and judgment)—respond to the conviction of the Truth, humble yourself!

11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

      I’m just baptizing you with water unto repentance John says. But Jesus who is coming after me and is mightier than me—yea I’m not even worthy to touch his shoes!—will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. You will have power and anointing to live for God when Jesus comes and baptizes you with power and fire from on high. It is through Christ’s sacrifice and the baptism of His Spirit—the Teacher and Guide who He sent to shepherd us in His absence on earth is our strength and an all consuming fire inside of the Believer, the Follower of Christ.

 12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

     Jesus has a fan in his hand and he will not only thoroughly purify his threshing floor by getting rid of the chaff. Jesus waves His fan and the chaff (lighter material, husk) will blow away from the heavy, living fruit (the wheat) which will remain and then be gathered and stored up (Heaven). But the chaff will be burned up with unquenchable fire (Hell).

Matt 3:7-12 (KJV)

The Commands, Teachings and Life of our Lord Jesus Christ: Matthew 3:1-6

In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

      John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness and look was his message was: “Repent, you, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!” Jesus later speaks of all the prophets of the Old Testament being under the old covenant until the time of John the Baptist. The New Covenant did not begin with Jesus, it began with the ministry of John the Baptist that prepared the Way for Jesus’ ministry and proclamation of the Gospel. The Kingdom of Heaven was literally at hand—God was building a Church of dedicated followers.

3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, 6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

     John was not what we would call refined. He was a crying voice in the wilderness as the prophets foretold saying “Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight!” Look at how John was clothed—he was rough—with leather girdle and a “shirt” of camel’s hair. He ate locusts and honey. Now, we know what honey is, but the meaning of locusts is debated. The reason is because there is a plant with a fruit called a locust that grows in the area and is eaten by humans. Whether John ate a bug or fruit, the point is simple: he lived of the land, he was rough, and he answered to God only. He wasn’t enticed by power and he would not compromise for comfort and ease.  This is evidenced by what followed in his ministry—people came to him from Jerusalem, Judea, and the region around the Jordan and they were convicted of their sins. As a result, people were baptized by him in the Jordan and confessed their sins. In the next lesson, we will look at just how blunt this prophet was.

Matt 3:1-6 (KJV)

The Commands, Teachings, and Life of our Lord Jesus Christ: Matthew 2:19-23

But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life. 21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

   Herod eventually did die, it actually wasn’t that long at all. By some estimates only a couple of years after Joseph fled to Egypt. Again, the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream (this seems to be how the Lord consistently spoke to this particular servant of his). And Joseph got up and left. Again God says arise—immediately obey—and Joseph does. He immediately obeys the Lord and prepares Jesus and Mary to go back to Israel.

 22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:

 
    What was Joseph’s fear? That Herod’s son was now reigning in place of his father. Joseph was honestly afraid to be around Herod’s son. But what does God do? He comes again in a dream and warns Joseph and Joseph turns toward Galilee—a rural area of northern Israel.

 23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

     We see prophecy wonderfully fulfilled again in the Life of Christ—He grows up in Nazareth and is called a Nazarene. Now, Nazareth was a small town type of area and the reason why people mocked a great leader coming from there is pretty understandable—do you expect a great leader to emerge out of the sticks? Nonetheless, Jesus grew up there. It is significant to note that Joseph does not go there because of prophecy, but because of fear Herod’s son and God’s direction. God will fulfill His Word, even though people do not know it or remember it.

Matt 2:19-23 (KJV)

The Commands, Teachings, and Life of our Lord Jesus Christ: Matthew 2:16-18

Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

      Herod considered himself mocked by the wise men and so what did he do? He slew all the male children 2 and under in Bethlehem and the area surrounding it. What a terrible massacre to preserve a throne!

      It is important to note that Herod knew that Jesus was two or younger because he inquired of the wise men. Many movies and stories show the shepherds and wise men coming to Christ the night of our Savior’s birth. However, that is not very Biblical. The shepherds were there the night of Christ’s birth, but the wise men came when Christ was around two or so. Interesting that the Star was still there over Christ’s abode isn’t it?

      God preserved His son’s life though, by sending Joseph and his family away to Egypt.

 17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, 18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

      Rachel, Jacob’s (later re-named Israel by God) wife was buried right around Bethlehem. Jeremiah prophesied hundreds of years before Christ that Rachel would weep for her children who were dead—symbolically Rachel is the mother of the children of Bethlehem because those living there, the Israelites, are her and Jacob’s descendants. So begins the life of Christ—He entered the world in obscurity, His life is sought before He can even speak, He is visited by wise men from afar, and He is exiled to Egypt.

Matt 2:16-18 (KJV)