ttob11

The Testimony of Believers

Lesson Eleven: by turtle

As I type this morning, I find myself asking more about the Kingdom of God. Understanding of who Jesus is, meaning He is the
Word of God plays a vital role in this chapter, but even more so understanding He is called the Son of God. It not hard for people
to accept the Bible on the issue of kindness, love, obeying governments and so forth. Yet God desires more then just for us to
accept His Word but to accept that He himself is God. He is creator and Lord God of all things and the fact there is only one
Lord and His name, is Jehovah, God saves. God name for God saves is Joshua, Jehoshua. The word Christ means anointed and
the word Messiah meaning anointed as well. There is a reason for a word defining moment. For when we quote John 3:16 it says
For God so loved the World, He gave His Only Begotten Son. Christ was son of God but also the son of man for He was born of
woman. However God was Father and He sent His Own Son to save us from our sins. All the prophets before came sharing the
kingdom of God, but no person could be saved by a prophet or teacher. Salvation still comes from God, but God choose one that
all men and woman could be saved from, because they needed a visible redeemer. They needed that idol. Anyone looking to
Jesus might be saved. Take a look at these verse in John 3.

John 3:14-15
(14) And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
(15) That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Unfortunately people must be lifted up in order for people to find God. The snakes in the wildress biting the people and causing
some to die, enabled people to draw to God and people desired God to healed them and asked Moses to intercede because they
believe God could heal. And so God instructed Moses to make a pole with a serpent on it and those that were bit by the serpent
look to it in faith in God would be healed. Jesus in like manner must be lifted up to draw all men and woman to Him as salvation
and belief in God’s power to save through His Son.

Through out New Testament scripture Christ was ever pointing to God and not to himself. Clearly as a teaching guide for us to
know not to point to man, but to Him. Yet if we look at Christ to be saved meaning the Word of God, we would be saved by
faith in Christ Jesus. With this in mind let us look at Luke 9. For the Kingdom of Heaven is preached to all people.

Luke 9:1-6
(1) Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases.
(2) And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.
(3) And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have
two coats apiece.
(4) And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.
(5) And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony
against them.
(6) And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.

Now the disciples were given authority to heal and to cast out demons by Jesus. He himself had long since proven He had the
power to heal and to deliver people from evil spirits, but now, He given that same power to those that followed Him. Yet His
instruction was to preach the Kingdom of God. To preach the kingdom of God was one of who God is, to heal, and preach
repentance. They were told to take nothing for there journey but what they were wearing. If they were not welcome they were to
just shake the dust off their feet. Christ at this point had not been crucified, yet it did not stop the crowd from coming to Him.
For no doubt when people were healed by the disciples, they were question by what authority they did these things in and which
always would lead back to Jesus. A crowd would gather because His disciples went and brought them in. Jesus would teach
about the kingdom of God and who God was and what His Word said. Same as any prophet or teacher would.

Herod the king keep hearing stories about this Jesus and some said John was raised back to life and others said Jesus was Elijah
and this cause Herod to be confused. He was confused because He knew John was dead and will he did not know Elijah, but
knew from people he was some great prophet. By these reports Herod doubt much about who Jesus was. He even desired to see
him. This point Herod would not meet Jesus. But it is one of the first reference to acknowledgement by Herod of Jesus existence.

Luke 9:6-9
(6) And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.
(7) Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him: and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John
was risen from the dead;
(8) And of some, that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.
(9) And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him.

The beginning of faith begins with a desire to meet Jesus. Not necessarily in the physical sense here but in the spiritual sense. Yet
Herod desire was the beginning of wanted to know about his Man. Have you ever heard so much about someone you desire to
meet that person and when you finally do, you have an opinion from the meeting. The disciples were telling all the latest news to
Jesus. Jesus had taken them to a private place to talk in the desert, but as soon as word reach the people he was in the desert
they went to where He was. Jesus began to heal, and to teach and the crowd was hungry and getting tired, and one of disciple
told Jesus perhaps He should send them away so the people could eat in the near by villages. Jesus decided to feed the multitude
with what was available by the crowd. Yet there was only a few fish and few loaves of bread in which to feed way to many
people. Yet Jesus had disciples to tell them to set anyway. Remember Moses in the wilderness had prayed and God provided
manna and also quail to eat. Jesus was showing His ability to feed the people.

Luke 9:13-17
(13) But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more but five loaves and two fishes; except we
should go and buy meat for all this people.
(14) For they were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit down by fifties in a company.
(15) And they did so, and made them all sit down.
(16) Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the
disciples to set before the multitude.
(17) And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.

The people were feed and satisfied and they took up twelve baskets. Was there any symbolism to the miracle. The fact if we are
feed from the Word of God then there is always plenty to eat and plenty leftover to feast again. If you feast on the prophets,
teachers and ministers personal stories they will eventually end, but the story of God never end. The twelve basket being the
twelve disciple or many the twelve tribes of Israel, the story continues in God’s people. In God’s people the stories never end
with the work God will do if we will give Him what we have. He will work with what we have and not what we have not, but He
can create the have not. That blessings received from what we have not of for the glory and honor of God.

Jesus finally gets some alone time with God and His disciples and while praying he asked His disciples who do people say He is
and who do you say I am. Let us look at what they say.

Luke 9:18-21
(18) And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people
that I am?
(19) They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again.
(20) He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God.
(21) And he straitly charged them, and commanded them to tell no man that thing;

Christ hides his identity, by requesting His disciples not to reveal he is the Christ or the anointed one. The reason is that He had
to suffer many things because many did not understand who He was. Many that follow Jesus had to discover for themselves who
Jesus was to them. It not to be hid at this time, but at the time before Christ would be crucified. .Who Jesus was, was not for all
to understand. God desired to blind His people to the truth until all people could see who Jesus was, including His own.

Luke 9:22
(22) Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain,
and be raised the third day.

He would have to rise again for all to know Him as the Christ. One death for all sins in the whole world. Yet salvation that upon
belief we would be made whole through Jesus resurrection. Jesus went on to say that all that believe would have to take up their
cross and follow Him. That is not about carrying a piece of wood but do all that God ask of you to do for the gospel sake. Even
if it leads to your own death, which it would for the disciples. Yet they had the hope of eternity with Christ. They knew they
would be saved. It would be through Christ resurrection that would give these disciples this hope, but right now they would hear
and take in all they heard.

God would reveal to a couple of the disciples that Jesus was the Son of God. It was done on a mountaintop, two prophets, Elijah
and Moses appeared from heaven They talked with Jesus. The disciple asked if they needed to build couple of tents for them to
rest in and God enveloped them in a cloud and said this is my beloved Son and were told to listen to Him. Are you listening to
Jesus, the Son of God.

Luke 9:28-36
(28) And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a
mountain to pray.
(29) And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.
(30) And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:
(31) Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
(32) But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two
men that stood with him.
(33) And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make
three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.
(34) While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.
(35) And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
(36) And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those
things which they had seen.

Now we heard so far the testimony of the crowd, King Herod, the disciples and now God. Jesus is His beloved Son. Beloved
meaning highly esteemed, or highly favored. Anointed meaning chosen. God was confirming what Peter already knew by His
Spirit in a visible way. God has a way of showing us visibly and physically who He and His Son is, as well as His Spirit. Now
there is more then one witness of who Jesus is. Yet they were to tell no one until after his resurrection. I believe God must of
closed their eyes to these events for how could some one not tell this story at the time. However God has the ability to enable us
to recall what we are to speak and what we are not to speak about.

Next passage is a type of metaphor of what is to come as well as a demonstration of the power of Jesus above his disciples. Jesus
gave His disciples power but not every time they pray does God deliver. Jesus though every time he heals it is done. A man
comes to him and says his only son is possessed and is thrown in the fire repeatedly, Jesus accuses the disciples of having no
faith and cast the demons out of the little boy. Jesus would be surround by evil men who would crucify him, but by God’s power
He would raise from the dead, yet at anytime the events of the crucifixion could of been stopped. God does not always delivers
but allows us to suffer to bring all people to Him. It through our suffering Christ is lifted up if we will testify of His ability to
enable us even in our suffering.

Who is the greatest in the kingdom of God came the next question. Jesus was quick to make it clear the greatest was anyone the
received a child in His name. With this a confession was forth coming, that some were preaching in His name, but did not follow
them. Jesus was clear it matte not if they followed them, but if they followed Him. Many walk a dangerous ground testifying
against others that teach Christ and preach in His name, and do not follow them.

Luke 9:46-50
(46) Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.
(47) And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him,
(48) And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth
him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.
(49) And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name; and we forbad him, because he followeth
not with us.
(50) And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.

For me this speaks clear about the state Israel was in with the gentiles. There were those preaching about God but not necessarily
of Israel bloodline. These people were also a part of God’s family. He desired through Christ to tear down this wall of division
between Jews and Gentiles. For a deeper study on this issue read Ezekiel 23, about two woman both of Israel line, but one
intermarried with other tribes.

There were those that rejected Jesus and the disciples wanted to know if he wanted him to destroy those that rejected Him, and
Christ said no he came to save those which were lost, and not do destroy them.

Luke 9:51-56
(51) And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,
(52) And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.
(53) And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.
(54) And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from
heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
(55) But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
(56) For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

Christ coming from heaven is having the word renewed in your heart as well as it coming to save those that know not Him. Yet
Christ will one day return also in the physical sense as proof of who He is. He desires us all to be saved. Yet some will reject
Him. And they are non of His. Yet Jesus spoke some simple words follow me. Yet what does it mean to follow Jesus, look at the
next few verses.

Luke 9:57-62
(57) And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou
goest.
(58) And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his
head.
(59) And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
(60) Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
(61) And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
(62) And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Jesus while on earth had no home. Of course Mary and Joseph gave him an earthly home, and of course many minister, teachers
and disciples have homes, What is He saying. He telling this man he has no room in His heart for the word of God. Another says
I have to bury my dead, but Jesus let the dead bury their dead. Another wanted to say good bye to His family. God never
demands you to give up your family or friends.

Jesus desires us to put Him first in our life and these other things to come second. What we do for God should be most
important. Does it mean something sometimes get put on the back burner of course. Hopefully loved ones that are saved will
understand, and those that are not will they will neglected. However you got to do what God lays on your heart to do. To have a
testimony for God to be one of those believers like in scripture you have to be willing to take up your cross and follow Jesus. To
follow God and His will for your life. It is a concentrated life for Him and it is not always an easy road but a blessed one.