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The Testimony of Believers
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Lesson Twenty Three: by turtle
The authority of Christ is often in question through out scripture and even today. The
issue is what authority did Christ have to exalt himself as teacher over the people. Did
Christ have the right to teach the people? Who gave Him permission to do so? Some have
wondered why I teach, and wonder what authority I have to teach. In all truth only by gift
of God can I teach or preach His message and bear fruit. Christ however refused to
answer. The reason being the religious leaders did not recognize the authority of God.
Neither does the world recognize the authority of God. Only believers recognize the
authority of God and this why it so important for believers to follow the law of the land.
Jesus had just refused to respond to religious leaders and refused to answer the legal law
that might of protect Christ when He went to trial by the courts. If Christians were to
break the law then they should be accounted for the laws they break. However Christ
refusal to answer is the week leading to the cross. Is the week that Christ would be
crucified. His refusal to answer perhaps because so many times they had asked the
question of His authority, so many times they witnessed the miracles but did not believe
the truth. They did not even know the authority of John the Baptist but it is what they too
taught concerning repentance and faith.
Luke 20:1-8
(1) And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple,
and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders,
(2) And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or
who is he that gave thee this authority?
(3) And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me:
(4) The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?
(5) And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say,
Why then believed ye him not?
(6) But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that
John was a prophet.
(7) And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was.
(8) And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
If the testimony of God is present then why argue with proof, but many argue with proof,
based on the fact truth can be duplicated by non believer. However hurricanes, tornadoes
and weather events can not be prevented by man. However how man treats people can be
controlled by man. Man seems to likes control. Control of everything he seems to think
He should have power to control. Man does not like something they feel the need to tear it
apart and try and control it. God has sent many teachers to the people to try and teach
them about His love, only to be rejected and killed. The problem seems people have
problems understanding religious law verse spiritual law. People see spiritual law as a
task master. They see spiritual teachers as task master they do not need or want. They
reject the things of God and desire to destroy the things and teachings of God. People in
scripture killed religious leaders. Not only were religious leaders killed but when God
sent His Son He was killed. This parable is speaking of the murder of prophets and of God’
s only son.
Luke 20:9-19
(9) Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard,
and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.
(10) And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of
the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty.
(11) And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him
shamefully, and sent him away empty.
(12) And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out.
(13) Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it
may be they will reverence him when they see him.
(14) But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is
the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.
(15) So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of
the vineyard do unto them?
(16) He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others.
And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.
(17) And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the
builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?
(18) Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall,
it will grind him to powder.
(19) And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and
they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.
Who is the builder but God, who is the chief cornerstone but the Son of God. Anyone
falling on Jesus will be broken. Broken by our sin, to repentance. Yet those not following
Christ will one day be crush by Christ. No doubt the words of Jesus went to the heart of
the priest and scribes. Maybe so much so that they wanted to kill Him. They understood
not that Jesus was the Word of God. They understood the crushing and the repenting by
the Word but knew not Jesus was the Word in the flesh. God’s word has the effect of
crushing or bringing one to repentance. We all sin, do we all admit it. Then just say Lord
forgive me of my sins, and receive Christ as Savior.
Money was issue to the religious leaders as well to those serving the legal law. Scribes and
Priest sent people to spy on Jesus and try to trick Jesus. If we say everything is God’s then
everything must be given to God and for service for God. If we say not everything we have
is not God’s then we need to horde or give to its rightful owner. The question came
whether it was lawful to give to Caesar or no. No it was not lawful to give money to
Caesar. Now we all know we all must pay taxes, in some form or the other. Some pay
much and pay very little. However Sales tax and local and state tax must be paid in form
of sale tax. Federal tax is for money you earn that supports the government and State tax
supports state. Without these taxes in place the law has no value for there is no one to
protect it. Is it lawful to pay the government money that is easy question not all people are
believers and not all people including believers obey the law. As long as God gives man
authority to rule, then these people need to be paid. Jesus answer was give to Caesar what
is Caesar and give to God what is God. How do we give to God, give God the respect do
Him, recognizing His power and love for us. God commanded us not to worship anyone
but Him. Worship cost us only what a little time to honor God. Not just Sunday but all
through the week in everything we do. Caesar needs money. Not bribes but money to
support the work they do as well as their families.
Luke 20:20-26
(20) And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men,
that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and
authority of the governor.
(21) And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly,
neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly:
(22) Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?
(23) But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?
(24) Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said,
Caesar's.
(25) And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's,
and unto God the things which be God's.
(26) And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at
his answer, and held their peace.
People were always amazed at Christ response to those that try and trick Jesus for this
reason the deceivers could not respond. If we only had the ability to silence the deceivers
every time, however as long as we live there will always be opposition.
There came the Sadducees who did not believe in the resurrection of the saints. Jesus had
not died yet or risen yet. They desired to ask a question concerning who wife someone
would be in the resurrection if a woman had married all brother of one household. See in
Biblical day the law was if a woman was married and her husband died then a brother
would marry her. It was for the purpose of protecting the woman.
God has no problem with marriage for He ordain man and woman to marry in the garden
of eden. However God has a big issue with spiritual adultery. God children can not
commit adultery in the spiritual sense. Why because God has written on their heart the
law of God. God writes the spiritual law on our hearts so we can not spiritual sin against
Him. However it does not mean we will not do dumb things, or break other laws, just not
the law of God to honor Him and to love others.
Luke 20:27-38
(27) Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any
resurrection; and they asked him,
(28) Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he
die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his
brother.
(29) There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without
children.
(30) And the second took her to wife, and he died childless.
(31) And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children,
and died.
(32) Last of all the woman died also.
(33) Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.
(34) And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are
given in marriage:
(35) But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection
from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
(36) Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the
children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
(37) Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the
Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.
(38) For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.
Those in heaven are like the angels they worship only God so they can not be given in
marriage to another. God does not sell people to devils and heathens. We might wish to
trade a member of the family or friend, but in all truth they are tied by blood and
meaning we all are descents from Adam and Eve. If we trade someone then we have no
love for them or money is more important then that person. I can not think of one friend
or family member I get rid of, though perhaps some I like more then others. I love them
all the same.
God consider all equal in His site all that believe. In the USA we are suppose to be all
equal, and though some people claim we are not, it suppose to be that way. However
money still dedicates power in many circles. That life, and it always been that way.
However in God’s kingdom we all are joint heirs, everyone owns the same. Heaven is the
perfect utopia.
Now the perfect utopia obeys the Word of God. Obeys the instructions of God to love God
and to love others. However we do not live in a perfect utopia today. In today world we
have people that do not grasp the meaning of the Word of God and needs people to help
teach it. Several things we need to understand the Word comes forth from us for we are to
reconcile people to God once we get saved. In other words spread the good news.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21
(17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away;
behold, all things are become new.
(18) And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and
hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
(19) To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing
their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
(20) Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we
pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
(21) For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the
righteousness of God in him.
This next passage is a type of metaphor and also a physical grasping of God in operation.
We see God and His Son on the throne speaking to who each other, but David is a witness
of this by a vision. The word comes forth to man, and the word precedes from man. Just
like Christ was born of Mary came in the form of a child. The Word of God comes forth
to us in child like fashion in an easy to understand format. Yet man likes to complicate it.
Jesus spoke in the fashion of men for men not to perceive the spiritual things of God.
However we open the understanding so all can know God by teaching or preaching these
things.
Luke 20:39-44
(39) Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said.
(40) And after that they durst not ask him any question at all.
(41) And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David's son?
(42) And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit
thou on my right hand,
(43) Till I make thine enemies thy footstool.
(44) David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?
Christ became a heir to David by natural birth, but also spiritual birth, for the word
would be a instrument in spiritual warfare. David fought for the Lord in physical since.
Did has God instructed, however God’s war is not fought always with weapons of
destruction but they can be, but with power of the Holy Ghost. Now if we fight with the
power of the Holy Ghost, then we are in the army of God. It can not be duplicated. God’s
warfare changes not it is the word of God. The tool used is the same. Everyone including
heathens bow to the word of God. Why because the principal of God is to love. All
humanity is to love in action. Without the love in action revenge and hate will take over. It
is better to love and forgive then to revenge. However what about war and power in the
political since does it work that way. Many believers wish it would and our wish will one
day come to pass, for our desire to see a cease of war will come with the final battle which
Christ will have final victory.
Christ coming is not for us to know when and where but for us to know who Jesus is.
Luke 20:45-47
(45) Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples,
(46) Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the
markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;
(47) Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall
receive greater damnation.
Beware of evil leaders and false ways. Follow after righteousness. Remember bad leaders
will hurt a widow. They have no compassion for the people. Look for leaders that love
people. All people for they will protect the innocent. Those are the leaders you want. I am
already thinking about this election that is forth coming in 2012. And it truth I pray God
will raise up a leader among the people that will love with compassion and not power. A
person with the love of Christ.
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