Do it!

Matthew 21:28-32: But what think ye?  A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.  He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.  And he came to the second, and said likewise.  And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.  Whether of them twain did the will of his father?  They say unto him, The first.  Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.  For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.
.

• Here we see two sons who acted differently.  What they said did not make a difference.  Their excuses and reasons were not even considered.
• Jesus told the religious people that their religious acts, their good intentions and their excuses would not be considered.  They would be judged by their works.
• Jesus said that they did not truly believe because their belief was not backed by action.  He also said that the publicans and the harlots would receive the reward that they would be denied because they truly believed and acted.

1. There is always a test before the blessings
1. Matthew 4 has the temptation of Jesus that happened at the start of His ministry.
• God always gives us tests at the start of a ministry and when He teaches us a new doctrine.  The test is to prove if we truly will rely on God to do Gods work.  Any time that we rely on our own ability we fail the test.
• Jesus was tempted three (3) ways: with the world the flesh and the doctrine of devils.  We will be tested the same ways.
2. The choir song dealt with two Bible passages which explain the tests that we can expect in our life and that people should expect in the next year.
• It is easy to be in the choir and concentrate on singing the right words and hitting the right notes without really considering how those words apply to us.
• The one verse was about the feeding of the 5,000 men plus women and children with one little boys lunch.  Think about this.  When Jesus took his lunch, he had to feel that he would go hungry.  Then, after willingly sacrificing all, he went home with 12 baskets of fragments.  One test will be in your flesh.  It will seem like you have to give up something that you are sure that you need to live.  And, you will think that your mission commitment is so small that it wont be missed if you dont give it.  And, youll probably be right.  Its not about how big your commitment is nor about how much it is needed.  Its about trusting God for 12 baskets of blessings.
• Another verse was about the widow feeding Elijah.  The widow had a starving son, no hope, no help, a foreign preacher that she probably never met before and a demand that she give her last food to the service of God first.  There can not be a greater evidence of someone passing this test than their commitment to go to the mission field as a non-preacher missionary to help build the work with someone else.  Shem just bought a car that he would never have afforded here in the Philippines.
2. Physical blessings and everlasting blessings are based upon works.
1. Philippians 4:15-19 says: Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.  For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.  Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.  But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
2. 2Corinthians 5:10-11 says: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.  Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
3. Just Do it
1. Luke 9:61-62 says: And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.  And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
2. Luke 17:32 says: Remember Lot's wife.
3. Philippians 2:13 says: For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
4. Colossians 3:23-24 says: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
5. James 4:17 says: Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
6. 2Corinthians 8:9-11 says: For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.  And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.  Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.

Home

Contact:  Webmaster@LJC1611KJV.com.  Member of Tower Road Baptist Church, Abq., NM, U.S.A., 87121.  Copyright 2009 Lord Jesus Christ in the 1611KJV.  All rights reserved. Revised: 11/29/23.