week of 09/21/11 2nd recorded HighQuest Romans 3:10-20

The passage I read was Romans 3:10-20

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+3%3A10-20&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

²⁰Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.

As I reflect:

Pretty simply put in my opinion. We can’t do it ourselves. The word says the greatest gifts we can offer God are as filthy rags. I mean there’s just nothing at all we can do to impress God. We may please Him through our faith, but it’s not like He’s not sitting on a throne watching us and thinking to Himself, “wow! That’s amazing. That Joseph Guy really surprises me with how much effort he puts into serving me. I think that because he tried so hard, I’m going to let him come to heaven when his earthly body passes away because he is obviously righteous.” Nope… That’s just not how it works. If it were by our own merit that we were saved, then this passage makes pretty clear that we wouldn’t be getting anywhere close to Heaven. We would still be eternally separated from God and dead in our sins. Thankfully that’s not the case. Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection from the tomb merit our relationship with Him. We don’t deserve it and we can’t do it ourselves because we are in the flesh and are full of sinful ways, but thanks be to God who because of His great love saves and redeems us from our sin and fate. This passage also clarifies the purpose of that same law which we fail to uphold. It says in verse 20 that “no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.” Our very inability to uphold the law is what allows us to see that we are sinners and are thus in need of the Messiah. The law is like a spot light and we are like a person sitting in a pitch black room covered in sin. When we inspect ourselves by the law, it becomes painfully obvious how unable we are to earn our way into Heaven.

My response to the Lord:

I have seen my sin Lord. I have seen how incapable I am of earning righteousness or in anyway becoming worthy of what you offer. I am however eternally grateful that salvation is a gift. I thank you that your mercy and grace are free and that my debt has been paid. Father forgive me for my sins and as I turn away from them in repentance, I pray that you would deliver me from evil and guide me instead to do your will. I am eternally grateful for the blood of your Son Jesus Christ in Whose name I pray, and the righteous covering I have been provided by it.

week of 09/21/11 1st recorded HighQuest Genesis 3:1-13

The passage I read was Genesis 3:1-13

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+3%3A1-13&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

⁴ “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman.

As I reflect:

There was nothing wrong in the garden until Satan threw a wrench into the plan. Adam and Eve were not tempted by the fruit of the forbidden tree when God said to Adam and Adam relayed the message later to Eve that they were not to eat of it. It was not in their nature to question God and they had not done so to this point. God said something, and they obeyed. This was a working order to things and was part of the working relationship man had with God when they could walk and talk together side by side. Satan’s wrench was the tool of doubt. By this wrench a great deal of sin still occurs today. God said… Satan caused doubt… Humans sin. I see this in the formula today still as people question the authority of the Bible, it’s translated history, and the current meaning of its’ text down to the very existence of God. This is a direct result of Satan throwing the wrench of doubt into the worlds thinking when it comes to the perfect intended message from God.

From that point forward, it is easy to see why so many turn from or refuse to turn to God’s truths as communicated in the Bible. It is unfortunate that the human race is so easily led astray by a simple doubt in text rather than as quickly doubting the message against the text and doing the proper research on their own. But this is a human trait as we see also in Adam who then follows Eve’s stray trail of sin in verse 6. One man hears from a whisper that the Bible was mistranslated and therefore couldn’t be accurate. That man tells another who in turn tells another and doubt is soon spread like a virus working its’ way into all points of civilization. This seed of doubt was far too easily spread from Eve to Adam after she partook of self satisfaction. Today, it is the same. We see and hear what we want and easily succumb to the flesh’s desire by doubting and ignoring the truth that our conscience screams. We then show another and the cycle begins.

An interesting and often unexpected side effect of sin is noted in verse 7 as their eyes are opened. They then become ashamed. I think the greatest reason this shame following sin doesn’t as widely occur today is simply that sin is practiced so greatly that it calloused the conscience.

For example: First lie as a child and we surely have nervousness and even perhaps an expectation of punishment… But who told us it was a lie? Or who told us that we stole something and that it wasn’t right to do that? This is our conscience and we have to overcome that conscience (placed in us by God) to self satisfy at some point making the choice that our own satisfaction in possessions or status was more important than the feeling pressed upon us by our conscience. Satan is one to lend a hand in this process helping the human race to turn their back on the conscience until it has been so ignored to the point of having near no influence at all anymore. If you train yourself to sin continually throughout your life, then it will in fact come easier to you and your love of sin will even cause you to defend your actions at all cost so that you may keep the things you have come to desire more than a clear conscience. You may even come to a point where you not only convince others, but you have convinced yourself that the immoral things that you do which are against God aren’t even immoral. As a matter of fact, you find yourself at a point where you believe that if God was real, then He would want you to have everything you desire and therefore there is no way that the Bible could be true… All those restrictions and rules in there. Or that if God was real then there would be no suffering in the world. Wait a minute….Does this sound familiar? Kinda like a serpent in a certain garden that asked Eve, “Is that really what God said?” Is that really what He meant?

Following shame, the very next thing I noted was in verse 12 as the man passed blame to the woman. In verse 13, the woman passes blame to the serpent. What an interesting dynamic. Shame as a weight on one’s soul can cause yet another sin. In the general example above, that may look like something was stolen and when confronted the thief says, “well if you hadn’t charged such an unreasonable price, I’d have bought it”, or “if you don’t want something stolen, you shouldn’t advertise it so closely to the exit making it so tempting.” In society today, this has become a normal occurrence. A person knows right from wrong but is given cause to doubt and then they sin. When confronted, often someone else will get blamed. But just as in the garden, the cost for sin remains to this day. There is a separation from God that (without salvation) will become eternal.

By the model given to us in Genesis and as seen around us today I can see a couple things:

1-Sin often starts with doubting what God said

2- Sin doesn’t just effect person 1. Sin spreads to and infects others surrounding person 1.

3-Because we have a conscience, sin (when realized) causes shame. (and ultimately death and eternal separation from God for the unsaved)

If you are reading this and faced with your own sin, I implore you, do not hide from God. Turn to Him. Turn from your sin. Trust in God and be saved today.

My response to the Lord:

My Father in Heaven, I recognize some of these symptoms of sin in my own life (both past when I lived in them and present as I struggle against them). I have no pride left in me, for I recognize and see clearly how wretched and vile I am. Surely your love is beyond my comprehension to send your own Son to pay my price when I am so undeserving. Your mercy and grace leave me in awe of you God. That you have provided a bridge from my eternal separation from you so that I can instead be united with my Savior in Heaven shows that you truly are Lord of lords and King of kings. I look forward to kneeling before your glory when I come home. Until then may you be glorified in me Abba. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray.

08-21-2011 Acts 1 (Part 1) Holy Spirit receipt & influence

“Acts of the Holy Spirit” may be a more appropriate title “acts of the apostles” (as added by the translators)

We know who the apostles were, and these guys were a bunch of goofs. It was the work God did through them that changed people. Same with us. The spirit is moving and changing people. The question is will we get on board and willingly take part in becoming more usefully in what he is doing. Will we follow where the Holy Spirit leads. The acts of the Holy Spirit.

Luke writes this book directly following the book of Luke (also written by him). Collossians 4:14 calls him the great phisician as he was a holy Spirit filled doctor. This book isn't addressed to the church like other letters. Instead he wrote this letter to one man. Luke is sharing the investment of the Holy Spirit with one other person and 2000 years later it has spread to be shared with millions. It is likewise with us. Share the work of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:1-2 NIV

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.

Notice that they are no longer called disciples because they are now sent out and that is what the word apostle means.

Acts 1:3 NIV

After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

Convincing proofs... We have a measure of logic by which we examine history we were not present for. from the convincing proofs, we can form an accurate picture. Imagine going into a university and saying Galileo never existed. You'd be thrown out. There are convincing proofs we find that show Galileo did what is said of him. It is likewise with our Lord. There are convincing proofs of his existence, death, and ressurection.

Acts 1:4 NIV

On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.

John 16:7 NIV

But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

Why do u think he said wait? In the waiting, the apostles joined in prayer. They came together and unified. We didn't have to wait like them, we got the Holy Spirit right away upon only a heartfelt confession and request for His presence as Lord in our lives. Now pray and unite with others.

Acts 1:5 NIV

For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

This is a surrender completely that is evidenced by the changes that occure following the baptism. This is where we stop wandering in the dark being blind and begin following the great Helper. OUR COMFOTER; OUR GUIDE. This Spirit is the Word of Truth and He points us to Jesus Christ. Why would we not emerse ourselves in this spirit?

Acts 1:6-7 NIV

Then they gathered around him and asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.

These guys have got the wrong idea. They here "power" and their minds get greedy. But Jesus responds in gentle rebuke saying paraphrased, "none of your business". When does the power come? When the Spirit is upon you. The Holy Spirit is first with them. Can you look back in your life and see times when the Spirit was with you though you didn't listen.

John 14:15-18 NIV

"If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

Then the Holy Spirit enters them

John 20:19-23 NIV

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone's sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."

So that there is no confusion be sure that when you first become saved, this occurs. Corinthians teaches that at that moment you become the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:8 NIV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

And then finally, they yeild to the spirit and are in a state of having the Spirit on them and working through them as willing participants. This is a lifestyle that represents the Gospel.

Without this, our witness fails. There is no power without this change. When we proclaim the Gospel with the Holy Spirit on and in us, there is power.

Must frustration a Christian comes across in their adult walk with Christ stems from knowing what we should do and yet feeling poweess to do it. This is us acting or thinking outside of the Holy Spirit. At some point in that action or thought process we forgot that we can act with the Holy Spirit and not out of our own manipulating spirit. We can treat others right when we act based on the Holy Spirit's presence and power. We fall flat on our faces when we try without.

Acts 1:9 NIV

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

Romans 8:34 NIV

Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

Acts 1:10-11 NIV

They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."

So He is coming back the same way He left. How do we apply these truths to our life? We have struggles and often our lives are not the testimony we desire them to be. We can trust and make discisions of faith to ask for the power of the Holy Spirit and simply recieve it not just one time, but continuing to pray and live with the presence of the Holy spirit in our lives. Continuing to repent of sins and serve in power.

07-31-11 Luke 24 the long road to Emmaus.

Luke 24:1-2 NIV

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb,

Matthew’s account says the stone was sealed and there was a guard placed in front. This would have all (along with the weight) provided a great obstacle for them to get to Jesus but that is what love does. It goes anyway not knowing how it will accomplish it's goal.

Hebrews 11:6 NIV

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Luke 24:3 NIV

but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

Can u imagine their surprise? No words can express how greatly perplexed they must have been.

Luke 24:4-6 NIV

While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:

Some of the greatest words ever spoken.. He has risen. This means He is alive. We do not serve a dead lord, but we serve the Living God.

Luke 24:7-8 NIV

'The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'" Then they remembered his words.

This was a must. Why?

Salvation. For salvation to occur, this death and ressurection had to occur.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 NIV

Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

Another reason it had to occur is to prove that Jesus is God. He told everyone how this would happen exactly. That he would be crucified and three days later rise again. Proof of Godship.

Yet, another reason is for hope.

Luke 24:9-10 NIV

When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles.

If you had the cure to malaria or cancer, would u share it? You would have to wouldn't you? Isn't it right to share the cure? So too it was and is right to share that Christ has risen from the dead and lives to bring you new life. This is no idle tale.

Luke 24:11 NIV

But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.

Don't be in the place of unbelief. If you struggle with belief, get on your knees and ask for more belief. He will grant it if you desire to truly know God.

Luke 24:12-13 NIV

Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened. Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem.

Now, if you are a backpacker or hiker or biker, you know that 7 miles can take a long time. As u are walking on a dusty road for this distance, there is a perfect opportunity for conversation. This is the atmosphere for conversation. A friend and me enjoy doing this in palmer park every Saturday. Hiking and talking about God in our lives. Its wonderful.

Luke 24:14-16 NIV

They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.

I wonder if we realize that the ressurected Savior is present in every conversation we have with each other? Would this knowledge change what you talked about? He is with you in every conversation.

Luke 24:17-19 NIV

He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?"

They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?" "What things?" he asked.

"About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.

How funny that Jesus plays along acting as though he doesn't know what they are talking about. But then he switches things up and lays it all out for em.

Luke 24:20-24 NIV

The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus."

Are u looking for an earthly savior or an eternal Savior? These disciples made their greatest mistake in being temperal minded. They were not thinking in an eternal way. What if everything in your life falls apart? Are you still going to follow Christ? Be of good cheer, he said you are going to have tribulations but that he has already overcome the world. Serve an eternal Savior.

Christ handles the issue of their enbelief in the next part of the passage.

Luke 24:25-27 NIV

He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.

How wonderful it would have been to get a recording of this.

Luke 24:28 NIV

As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther.

Lol. Acts like he's going on further. Kinda like on the sea of Galilee had they not called out to him he would have just kept on walking on the water. He wants us to call out to him. We have a God that desires us to have a longing for His presence.

Luke 24:29-31 NIV

But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.

Don't think that it was coincidence that he broke bread and dissappeared at that moment. Christ in his human body was only in one place at a time. But now in His spiritual body he is omni present. He is with the men on the road while making appearances to witnesses and yet he is able to be with Peter always and be with john in prayer just as He is with you and me both at the same time.

Luke 24:32-35 NIV

They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, "It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon." Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.

What a different trip back that must have been.

Luke 24:36 NIV

While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."

John 21:14 also shares this account. Neither account says anything about knocking and then coming through a door. Nope. Just appeared and said "peace be to you."

Luke 24:37-39 NIV

They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."

Christ does this so that they will know that he isn't some ghost or just a spirit. He is real and his body as God still bears the wounds from the cross. Likewise our body is going to be pbisical and similar to our current body in Heaven. We will eat and drink. We will feel. We will have characteristics that cause us to recognize one another.

Luke 24:40-43 NIV

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.

Our new body will be physical. We will be able to partake and enjoy the food at the marriage feast when we join our Savior in heaven. He ate to show them (in part) his new body also could do this.

07-24-11 Luke 23 (part 2) Calvary and the state of the heart

Luke 23:26 NIV

As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.

He is now on the road to what we have come to call Calvary. And now we find a man who is going to be given to opportunity to know Christ in a real way with a personal encounter as well as first hand opportunity to auffer with Christ and take up his cross.

Luke 23:27-28 NIV

A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus turned and said to them, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children.

In His greatest moment of pain and agony, Christ doesn't want other's pity, but cares more for others still. He cares about where these womens hearts and where they are and whether or not they will come to salvation and who they will fare in the coming events of great distruction and new rulership. So Christ is outward focussed even during suffering. A lesson for us also to be focussed on others even during our suffering.

Luke 23:29-31 NIV

For the time will come when you will say, 'Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!' Then

"'they will say to the mountains, "Fall on us!"

and to the hills, "Cover us!"' For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?"

There was coming a time that it would be better for people not to have brought anyone new into the world and Christ was concerned for them for the trials that would soon come.

Luke 23:32-33 NIV

Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.

Thinking about this name. It seems sometimes that we have lost the impact of the cross when we use the word “Calvary” in meaning something so flowery and comfortable and nice, when really “Calvary” is “the place of the skull” and is in fact the very place of our Savior's excecution as well as the death of other people. This was a place of death. We have come to know the word as a pleasing word but remember why that is. It is the love that Jesus showed us that he lay down his life and take on the complete weight and punishment for our sins on this place of skulls. What hung Christ to the cross? Nails? No... it was love.

Luke 23:34 NIV

Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Could we do that?

Matthew 5:44 NIV

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Think about it really. Could we be punished wrongly for someone else’s sin and look upon our punishers with such love to let them know we forgive them? How often do Christians struggle with unforgiveness? Follow Christ's example to offer forgiveness for our enemies. And let's be a blessing to them. Perhaps it will change their hearts one day.

Luke 23:35 NIV

The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is God's Messiah, the Chosen One."

They are playing games at the foot of the cross. There are many people today doing the same thing. At home, in the church. Attending church to find a date or appease a spouse.

Luke 23:36-39 NIV

The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself." There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!"

This is the same with many of our enemies today. The enemies of Christ and of his followers today still ridicule and blaspheme in the same way, looking around and choosing to say what everyone else is saying. There aren't even any original insults anymore. No original thoughts in our haters. They say what they heard someone else say about us because they thought the insult sounded good. They buy the same bumper sticker that someone else already has.

Luke 23:40-41 NIV

But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."

This is something everyone who claims to be saved must do... they must realize and confess that surely this is the Messiah and he is without sin. Then they must trust in Him and ask for his grace through faith.

Luke 23:42-43 NIV

Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus answered him, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise."

07-17-11 Luke 23 (part 1) caring about what Christ thinks of you more than the crowd.

Luke 23

Luke 23:1-2 NIV

Then the whole assembly rose and led him off to Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, "We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king."

He is falsely accused of perverting a nation. Have u ever been falsely accused? Christ knows how u feel.

One part of the accusation is true however...

Luke 23:3-4 NIV

So Pilate asked Jesus, "Are you the king of the Jews?"

"You have said so," Jesus replied. Then Pilate announced to the chief priests and the crowd, "I find no basis for a charge against this man."

3 times Pilate confesses seeing no fault in Christ.

Luke 23:5-7 NIV

But they insisted, "He stirs up the people all over Judea by his teaching. He started in Galilee and has come all the way here." On hearing this, Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean. When he learned that Jesus was under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

He knows that Christ is innocent and Pilate is facing a political firestorm as he knows he cannot condemn an innocent man. So he passes the buck to avoid this confrontation by sending him to Herod who is over the gallileans too.

Luke 23:8 NIV

When Herod saw Jesus, he was greatly pleased, because for a long time he had been wanting to see him. From what he had heard about him, he hoped to see him perform a sign of some sort.

The problem in Herod looking forward to seeing Christ is that he just wanted to see what tricks or miracles he could actually do. He just wanted Christ to entertain him. I think Christians far too often find themselves in this same relationship of wanting Christ to just do things for them, entertain them, perform miracles. But they don't actually have a desire to know the true and living God that Christ is.

Luke 23:9 NIV

He plied him with many questions, but Jesus gave him no answer.

You may have come across this point in your own walk as a follower of God or as a parent or as a child, where God refuses to speak until your heart repents and listens to your conscience. As a child when your parent doesn't respond but u know that u are wrong. As a parent when your kid knows what you're thinking but u don't need to say a thing.

Luke 23:10-16 NIV

The chief priests and the teachers of the law were standing there, vehemently accusing him. Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate. That day Herod and Pilate became friends—before this they had been enemies. Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. Therefore, I will punish him and then release him."

Again Pilate trying to work around killing an innocent man. And a crowd cries out for his innocent blood. They cry out “away with him”. This still happens today as the world desires the freedom of barrabas, and adamantly rejects Jesus.

Luke 23:18-22 NIV

But the whole crowd shouted, "Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!" (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.) Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. But they kept shouting, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" For the third time he spoke to them: "Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him."

Third time insisting that he was inocent but Pilate listens to the crowd instead of his conscience. Why do people today listen to the crowd and care what they will think of you or how they will respond if you call Christ your Lord. Listen to your conscience. Jesus is Lord and you must give your life over to him completely. Do the right thing regardless of the cost. What voice are u going to listen to? Pilate listened to the chief priests and becomes the man in history who sent Christ to be crucified on the cross.

Luke 23:23-25 NIV

But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. So Pilate decided to grant their demand. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.

We all have choices to make. Look at Pilate’s life after this point. He stole money from the temple to build an aquaduct and ended up being the most unapproved of in office and getting kicked out of position. He condemned himself when he cared more about popularity then Christ.

What do we do when we come face to face with our bloody Savior? How do we respond to that?

1 Timothy 1:5, 19 NIV

The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.

This advice applies to us too. If Paul gave it to Timothy (a greater man of God than I by far), then how much more must it apply to me?

A love for the Caller and the Calling

The basis of our calling.

What causes someone to jump out of a boat in deep water to get to a man on shore?

What causes a woman to wait outside a tomb three days after her brother was laid to rest inside?

Was causes a woman to fall at the feet of a man and clean his feet with perfume on her hair?

Love. These people and so many more reacted out of love.

First fall in love with your caller, before falling in love with your call.

1 Corinthians 1:9 NIV

God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

First requirement in following your calling is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Acts 9:15 NIV

But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.

Paul was specifically called and chosen by God to stand before kings and people who didn't know God. This is the simplicity of the gospel. But how often we forget the second part of this calling. How often we are excited at the thought of sharing the gospel and then we are turned away by this second thought.

Acts 9:16 NIV

I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."

2 Corinthians 11:24-28 NIV

Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.

What is it that caused this man to press on saying he would continue to fight the good fight?

Philippians 3:8-11 NIV

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

He just wants to know God more. In His presence Paul’s love for him grows more. Everything else is worthless compared to this.

Romans 8:18, 35-39 NIV

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

"For your sake we face death all day long;

we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Where your heart is, there too will you be. It is evident in Paula endurance in joy that his heart isn't of earth not rather seeks after Christ in heaven.

Luke 10:38-42 NIV

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

Martha was "distracted" by serving because somewhere along the way she had forgotten that the primary goal was to know Him; to have fellowship with God. We need to know him and we need to not be distracted. Know his love for us. We must constantly come back to this place of just learning and getting to know the person and love of Jesus Christ. This should be the thing that we desire more than anything;that we would know our Savior. It is good to be allowed to share and whitness to people, but before you have a passion for the calling, you have to have a passion for the One who calls you.

Acts 14:19 NIV

Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead.

Yet another of many opportunities for him to walk away from this calling. But he didn't because it was all worth it. He counted also his comfort loss for sharing the gospel. Paul didn't give God boundaries. Paul didn't say to God "i have this amount of bills to pay every month and i have this and that hobby to maintain and inside of that ill serve you." He gave his all because he had a love for the caller and the calling.