Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance. (Matt. 3:8) ~ Note: The word for "bear" also means "bring forth, show, produce." The word for "worthy" also means "befitting, corresponding to a thing." So let others see that you have repented.
And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. (Matt. 3:10) ~ Note: We must bear good fruit, or else we will be cast into the fire of hell. "Fruit" also means "that which originates or comes from something, an effect, result, act, deed." So we must do good.
His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out (to eliminate the bad from the good) His threshing floor, and gather His wheat (us saved ones) into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff (worthless, unrepentive sinners) with unquenchable fire. (Matt. 3:12)
From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matt. 4:17) ~ Note: The word "repent" also means "to change one's mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins."
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matt. 5:3) ~ Note: "Poor in spirit" also means "destitute of wealth of learning and intellectual culture which the schools afford (men of this class most readily give themselves up to Christ's teaching and prove themselves fitted to lay hold of the heavenly treasure)." Myself, I have never been to bible school; therefore I haven't been taught too much false teaching. There's a lot of it in churches though. I give myself up to Christ's teaching by studying His word and what it means.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." (Matt. 5:4)
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." (Matt. 5:6) ~ Note: "Hunger" also means "to seek with eager desire." Those who are said to thirst are those who painfully feel their want of, and eagerly long for, those things by which the soul is refreshed, supported, or strengthened. "Righteousness" also means "the condition acceptable to God, integrity, purity of life."
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy." (Matt. 5:7)
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." (Matt. 5:8) ~ Note: "Pure" also means "free from corrupt desire." "Heart" also means "the soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes." Our inner man better be good if we want to go to heaven.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." (Matt. 5:9)
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matt. 5:10) ~ Note: "persecute" also means "drive away, to pursue (in a hostile manner), in any way whatever to harass or trouble." So if you get that for this then heaven is yours. "For righteousness' sake" also means for "the doctrine concerning the way in which man may attain a state approved by God."
"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven..." (Matt. 5:11,12)
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16) ~ Note: "Light" also means "of truth and its knowledge, together with the spiritual purity associated with it." So be pure, and let others see the truth that you know, like about how God sets people free from the bondage of sin.
"For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matt. 5:20) ~ Note: "Righteousness" also means "state of him who is as he ought to be, the condition acceptable to God, purity of life, correctness of thinking & feeling & acting." That's what being a born again Christian gives you. You can see that this is not just figurative, but literal. God really changes people in how they live their lives.
"... You shall not swear falsely... But I say to you, do not swear at all... But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one." (Matt. 5:37) ~ Note: This means, mean what you say, and do not say, "I swear to God, it's true."
"... love your enemies (people hostile, hating, and opposing you), bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use (to insult, revile, accuse falsely, threaten) you and persecute (harrass, trouble, mistreat) you." (Matt. 5:44)
"Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven." (Matt. 6:1)
"And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward (from man, not God). But when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you." (Matt. 6:5,6)
"And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions (to repeat the same thing over and over, to babble) as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him." (Matt. 6:7,8) ~ Note: Our praying should be thoughtful as well as with feeling. We are not heard because we use many words.
"... Our Father in heaven, hallowed be (to acknowledge, sanctify, regard as holy) Your name." (Matt. 6:9)
"Your kingdom (rule, authority) come. Your will (what God wishes for us to do) be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Matt. 6:10) ~ Note: I think we should make these petitions personal with something like: "Let Your kingdom come fully in my heart, as I acknowledge You as the King of my life. Have Your rule and authority be what is in charge of me, and have what You want me to do to be done."
"Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts (offenses, sins), as we forgive our debtors (those who sin against us)." (Matt. 6:11,12)
"And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen" (Matt. 6:13)
"For if you forgive men their trespasses (offenses, sins, misdeeds), your heavenly Father will also forgive you." (Matt. 6:14) ~ Note: It looks that Jesus made this forgiveness we get conditional, with "For if you..." So if we don't forgive others, we might not get forgiveness ourselves.
"The lamp of the body is the eye (of the mind, faculty of knowing). If therefore your eye is good (sound mind), your whole body will be full of light (of a bright character). But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light (that which is exposed to view of all, reason, mind) that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness (ignorance respecting divine things and human duties)." (Matt. 6:22,23) ~ Note: So if one doesn't think right but has a corrupt mind, the person WILL have a dark character that's ignorant of doing good.
"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (wealth, riches that are personified and opposed to God)." (Matt. 6:24) ~ Note: When people only care about money they can gather for themselves, then they are selfish and have stopped loving God or their neighbor. This is the exact opposite of what God tells us to do.
"... do not worry (take no thought, nor be anxious, nor troubled with cares) about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?" (Matt. 6:25)
"But seek (in order to find out by thinking, meditating, and enquiring into) first the kingdom (royal power, dominion, rule) of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (Matt. 6:33)
"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you... Hypocrite (Pretender)! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." (Matt. 7:1-5) ~ Note: I'm not a hypocrite who preaches against sin yet lives a life of doing the same thing. THAT is what Jesus was talking about. I practice what I preach, therefore I can handle my own judgment. That means I can help anyone, because I am real and not a pretender that preaches against sin but lives a life that practices it. I hear a lot of people quoting verse 1 without knowing what they're talking about. Do you get it yet? Jesus was telling us to first get the sin out of our lives and THEN we can judge and help others to get the sin out of their lives.
"Do not give what is holy to the dogs (men of impure minds); nor cast your pearls (words of great value) before swine." (Matt. 7:6) ~ Note: You must do some type of judging to know if someone is a dog or a pig.
"... whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them..." (Matt. 7:12) ~ Note: This is a version of the "Golden Rule."
"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction (which consists of eternal misery in hell), and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult (troubled, afflicted, distressed) is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." (Matt. 7:13,14) ~ Note: That means most people are not going to heaven. Difficult, troubled, afflicted, and distressed means it is not easy; so seriously be sure that you are born again and set free from the bondage of sin. Sure, there will be trouble and distress on this way to eternal life and we might even get afflicted for being a Christian. The Greek word for destruction also means a perishing, ruin, the destruction which consists of eternal misery in hell. The word for life also means a life real and genuine, devoted to God, that after the resurrection will have a more perfect body that will last forever.
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves (cruel, greedy, destructive men). You will know them by their fruits (that which originates or comes from something, an effect, result, work, act, or deed)... " (Matt. 7:15,16)
"A good tree cannot bear (to produce, to cause, to perform) bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them." (Matt. 7:18-20) ~ Note: We can't help but recognize the obvious in some people's lives.
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' (Master, to Whom a person belongs) shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven." (Matt. 7:21) ~ Note: Calling Jesus "Lord" doesn't cut it. Many so-called believers aren't going to make it to God's kingdom, actually half of us won't = Matt. 25:1-12. We must be doing the will of the Father. You can only do that by being born again, which makes you set free from sin and then you practice righteousness. ~ 1 John 3:10 - In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God.
"But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy (kindness or good will towards the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them) and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance (a change of mind)." (Matt. 9:13) A sinner is someone devoted to sin, not free from sin, or pre-eminently sinful. As saved people, we are not considered sinners. We are saints. We have been literally set free from the bondage of sin if we have been converted. So when someone tells you we are all sinners, tell them no we aren't. They are trying to justify their sin. Tell them to repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matt. 10:28) ~ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Proverbs 1:7) ~ If you have any knowledge, then you know we must fear God or we will do whatever our carnal mind pleases, and that can lead to spiritual death in hell. Fear does mainly mean fear. It also means to treat with reverential obedience. So obey God so that you won't go to the place of the future punishment.
"Do not think that I came to bring peace (peace between individuals) on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword." (Matt. 10:34) ~ Note: Most people are divided against a true Christian, even those in one's own family is what the verses after this one in the bible say.
"I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise (Jewish theologians) and prudent and have revealed them to babes (untaught, unskilled)." (Matt. 11:25)
"Either make the tree good and it's fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." (Matt. 12:33,34)
But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified (to render righteous), and by your words you will be condemned (to give judgment against one, to pronounce guilty)." (Matt. 12:36,37) ~ Note: Don't be careless of what you say, think before you speak.
"For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him." (Matt. 13:12) ~ Note: If you understand the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven through God's word, then keep reading more of the bible and God will give you more knowledge.
"The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend (any impediment placed in the way and causing one to stumble or fall, stumbling block), and those who practice lawlessness (iniquity, unrighteousness), and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth." (Matt. 13:41)
"Then the righteous (used of him whose way of thinking, feeling, and acting is wholly conformed to the will of God) will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let them hear!" (Matt. 13:43) ~ Note: Do you understand this? Are you listening up? We have to be righteous if we want to get to heaven.
"So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing (weeping) and gnashing of teeth (used to denote extreme anguish and utter despair of men consigned to eternal punishment in hell)." (Matt. 13:49,50)
"Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man." (Matt. 15:11) ~ Note: It does matter what you say, so watch your mouth.
Jesus said, "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders (The Greek word also means "slaughter" and that is the killing of people in large numbers, as in battle), adulteries, fornications (The Greek word is porneia and it means illicit sexual intercourse, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals, intercourse with close relatives), thefts, false witness, blasphemies (slander, speech injurious to another's good name). These are the things which defile a man." (Matthew 15:19,20)
Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself (to forget one's self, lose sight of one's self and one's own interest), and take up his cross, and follow Me." (Matt. 16:24)
"For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works (deeds, doings, mode of acting)." (Matt. 16:27)
Jesus said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted (to turn one's self from one's course of conduct), and become as little children (like children in intellect), you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matt. 18:3) ~ Note: We must come to God with childlike faith and learn from Him.
"I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." (Matt. 18:19,20) ~ Note: This is referring to the church discipline mentioned in vs. 15-17. It is a promise for the two or three to restore the erring brother and a promise of Christ being there to do the job.
"The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Therefore go into the highways (that's any traveled way), and as many as you find (to come upon, to meet with), invite to the wedding." (Matt. 22:8,9) ~ Note: Be a witness for Christ wherever the people are coming and going.
"But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a weddng garment." (Matt. 22:11) ~ Note: This man here was suppose to be part of the bride of Christ, but he was cast out because he did not have a life where he acted righteously, ~ And to her (the bride of Christ, which this man was suppose to be) it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen (the wedding garment which the man did not have on) is the righteous acts of the saints. (Revelation 19:8) ~ So we better act righteously now if we want to go to heaven.
"For many are called, but few are chosen." (Matt. 22:14) ~ Note: This is about the wedding. Many are invited to be the bride of Christ, but few are the chosen of God. You better live righteously. Some people think God predetermined already everyone's final destiny, but they misunderstand predestination. That doctrine can lead to someone thinking it doesn't matter what you do, because God would have predetermined it anyway. He has foreknowledge of what we will decide to do. He chooses our destiny according to what we do with our free will. Yeah, He knows where you are going to go, but He didn't already choose for some people to go to heaven and some to go to hell. He chooses according to our actions. Do you have on a wedding garment (the righteous acts of the saints)?
"But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself (to lift up on high, to raise to the very summit of opulence and prosperity and dignity) will be humbled (reduced to meaner circumstances, to be ranked below others), and he who humbles himself (by humble living, to bring down one's pride, to have a modest opinion of one's self, devoid of all haughtiness) will be exalted." (Matt. 23:11,12) ~ So be humble and don't be fond of or indulging in luxury.
"Then they will deliver you up to tribulation (affliction) and kill you, and you will be hated (detested, an intense dislike) by all nations for My name's sake." (Matt. 24:9) ~ That's suffering because one is a Christian.
"But he who endures (to remain, not to recede or flee, to preserve under misfortunes and trials, to hold fast to one's faith in Christ, to bear bravely and calmly ill treatments) to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." (Matt. 24:13,14)
"For then there will be great (powerfully affecting the senses, violent, mighty, strong) tribulation such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor shall ever be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened." (Matt. 24:21,22) ~ Note: You see, "the elect" (picked out, chosen by God) have a possibility to not be saved. In v. 24, Jesus Christ said the elect can be deceived.
"Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. (Matt. 24:23-25) ~ Note: I've seen people give false prophesies saying that Jesus was suppose to be back by now, but He told us that He's coming back at the last day which is after the tribulation. There is no Pre-Trib rapture. I found lots of proof at The Last Trumpet, http://WWW.LASTTRUMPET.COM ~ I don't think Jesus was playing games with us by saying "to deceive, if possible, even the elect" if it can't really happen. This is more "Once Saved, Always Saved" IS WRONG proof.
"Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins (believers are considered to be virgins because we are the bride of Christ and the wedding hasn't happened yet, so spiritually we are considered virgins) who took their lamps and went on to meet the bridegroom." (Matt. 25:1)
"Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them." (Matt. 25:2,3) ~ Note: That means half of us so-called believers don't have Holy Spirit. The oil and lamps are symbolic of the Holy Spirit. They didn't have Him inside of themselves. They quenched Him. ~ Do not quench the Spirit - 1 Thes. 5:19. The word "quench" also means "to extinguish, to go out, to suppress of divine influence." It's the same Greek word for the foolish virgins' lamps "going out" in Matt. 25:8.
"... the bridegroom (Jesus Christ) came, and those who were ready (prepared with the Holy Spirit) went in with him to the wedding; and the door (denotes the conditions which must be complied with in order to be received into the kingdom of God) was shut (to obstruct the entrance into the kingdom of heaven)." (Matt. 25:10)
"Afterward the other virgins (so-called believers) came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know (to have regard for one, cherish, pay attention to) you." (Matt. 25:11,12) ~ Note: That means half of us so-called believers, who even call Jesus Lord, will not go to heaven.
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing (this word more often refers to our union and identification with Christ than to water baptism) them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you (whatever He told the 12 disciples to do is also for us); and lo, I am with you always, even to the end (completion, consumation) of the age (world, an unbroken age)." (Matt. 28:19,20) ~ Note: This gives me the command and the right to be telling these things to you, because the end of the world has not come yet. ~ This is not talking about water-baptism. It's talking about getting people to crucify their old sinful man and get them set free from the bondage of sin. Christ said He had a baptism to be baptized with (Luke 12:50). He was talking about His death. Our old man was crucified with Him (Romans 6:6). That's being baptized into Him. We die to sin = For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him - Romans 6:7,8.
Note: Mark wasn't even one of the 12 disciples. Mark may have wrote down Peter's teaching.
"The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent (to change one's mind for the better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins), and believe (the conviction and trust to which a man is impelled by a certain inner and higher prerogative and law of soul) in the gospel (the glad tidings of salvation through Christ, the narrative of the sayings, deeds, and death of Jesus Christ)." (Mark 1:15) ~ Note: Jesus began His earthly ministry by telling people to repent.
So they went out and preached that people should repent. (Mark 6:12) ~ Note: That's a main theme of the gospel, because we see that Jesus and the disciples all started with a message of repentance. If preachers aren't preaching repentance, then they aren't doing a very good job and are watering-down the gospel.
"Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?" And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil (of a bad nature, wrong, troublesome, injurious) thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness (greediness), wickedness, deceit, lewdness (unbridled lust), an evil eye, blasphemy (slander, speech injurious to another's good name), pride (haughtiness, arrogance), foolishness (senselessness, thoughtlessness). All these evil things come from within and defile a man." (Mark 7:18-23)
"Beware of the scribes (religious teachers), who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces (any assembly of people, or streets), the best seats in the synagogues (congregations, the name is transferred to an assembly of Christians formally gathered together for religious purposes), and the best places at feasts, who devour (squander, waste, forcibly appropriate) widow's houses (property, wealth, goods), and for a pretense (pretended cause) make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation." (Mark 12:38-40)
"... after that tribulation (this is the great tribulation), the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven." (Mark 13:24-27) ~ Note: Christ's return is after the tribulation. There is no Pre-Trib rapture.
"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15)
There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias... His wife was... Elizabeth. And they were both righteous (observing divine laws, wholly conformed to the will of God) before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. (Luke 1:5,6) ~ Note: These 2 people obeyed God and that was even according to the OT. We can obey the NT, if God is our Master and we are His slaves.
"And His mercy (whereby at His return to judgment He will bless true Christians with eternal life) is on those who fear Him from generation to generation." (Luke 1:50) ~ Note: Mary prophesied this of Jesus while she was pregnant with Him. Fear does mean fear. It also means to treat with reverential obedience.
"Blessed are you who weep (the sign of pain and grief) now, for you shall laugh." (Luke 6:21)
"But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation." (Luke 6:24) ~ Note: Wealthy people can be blinded from their spiritual poverty and their need of salvation. If you are rich, give your money and possessions away, or sell what you have so that you can give money away. Then you will build treasure in heaven. That's how you love your neighbor.
"Woe to you who are full, for you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep." (Luke 6:25)
"Woe when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets." (Luke 6:26)
"And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise." (Luke 6:31)
"But if you love those who love you, what credit (thanks, reward) is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them." (Luke 6:32)
"And if you do good (something which profits others, to be a good help to someone, to do someone a favor) to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same?" (Luke 6:33)
"And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back." (Luke 6:34)
"But love your enemies (people hostile and opposing you), do good and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful." (Luke 6:35,36)
"Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together (of a measure filled by shaking its contents together), and running over (overflowing)... For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." (Luke 6:38) ~ Note: Have you ever heard that used for a reason to give money to church? It's even in a song. What a false teaching! It's about the way that you forgive people, as the previous verse says (Luke 6:37) ("forgive, and you will be forgiven").
"But why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46) ~ Note: Calling Jesus your Lord is not good enough. You must also do the things He says.
"A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. Some fell on rock; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. But others fell on good ground, sprand up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold." When He had said these thing He cried, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" (Luke 8:5-8)
"Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved (note: These people don't become believers to begin with after they hear the word of God, but the others next do believe and get born again, but they lose their life in Christ and fall away because of sin). But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while (note: For a time they were born-again believers. It's the common word for believe, "pisteuo." I think they should have learned the word of God better. But even if they would have had some root, God still could have cut them off because of unbelief, just like you'll see it is in Romans 11:17-22. The people who say that the ones who fall away were not real believers contradict God's word) and in time of temptation fall away (note: They had been set free from sin, but they didn't resist the temptation of sin. The Greek word for "fall away" is "aphistemi." It means they "depart, desert, withdraw, fall away," whichever definition you choose to use, from having life in Christ. They no longer have belief which means they "become faithless" because they fell for the temptation of sin)...
Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and they are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity (note: Sin destroyed these lives as well. The sin of greed)...
But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it (note: The Greek word for "keep" is "katecho." It means "hold fast, keep, stay" in regards to "from going away." Clearly this is our personal responsibility to continue to believe the word of God and to remain faithful to Him) and bear fruit with patience." (Luke 8:11-15) ~ Note: The Greek word for "patience" is "hupomone." It more correctly means "enduring, perseverance, the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings." To be saved at the end, you must persevere while bearing good fruit. Jesus made it clear that a true believer produces good fruit, and that the human will is involved in remaining a believer, since He says we must "keep it" and "persevere." Christ proves here that no one is eternally secure no matter what they do.
"For what profit (advantage) is it to a man if he gains (acquires) the whole world (the whole circle of earthly goods, endowments, riches, pleasures, etc, which although hollow and frail and fleeting, stir desire, seduce from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ), and is himself destroyed (to perish, to be given over to eternal misery in hell) or lost (to be cast away)?" (Luke 9:25)
"... but you go and preach the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:60) ~ Note: Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. The cost of discipleship, following Christ, is to not be too concerned with worldly matters (9:59-62).
"He who hears (considers what is or has been said, to attend to, to give ear to a teaching or a teacher) you hears Me, he who rejects (despises, disregards, refuses) you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me." (Luke 10:16) ~ Note: I hope you don't reject God's word that I have on my pages, because Jesus Christ just said you would really be rejecting Him.
"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ASK Him!" (Luke 11:13) ~ This is a verse that justifies a prayer for salvation.
"More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep (observe, take care not to violate) it." (Luke 11:28)
"For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known." (Luke 12:2) ~ Note: God knows everything, and you will give account for all that you do.
"And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body... (Luke 12:4)
"But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell (the place of the future punishment called "Gehenna" or "Gehenna of fire". This was originally the valley of Hinnom, south of Jerusalem, where the filth and dead animals of the city were cast out and burned; a fit symbol of the wicked and their future destruction); yes, I say to you, fear Him!" (Luke 12:5)
"Take heed and beware of covetousness (greediness), for ones life does not consist in the abundance of the thngs he possesses." (Luke 12:15)
"But God said to him, 'Fool! (someone without reason, senseless, stupid) This night your soul will be required (demanded back) of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?' So is he who lays up treasure (to accumulate riches) for himself, and is not rich toward (for) God." (Luke 12:20,21) ~ Note: If you are rich, you should be affluent in resources so that you can give a blessing of salvation to all. Even if you are not rich, use whatever you have to try to get people saved, and then you will have treasure in heaven.
"... do not worry (don't be anxious, don't be troubled with cares) about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on it. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing." (Luke 12:22,23)
"But if that servant says in his heart, 'My master is delaying his coming,' and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers." (Luke 12:45,46) ~ Note: This is one Scripture, of the many, in my pages "Once Saved, Always Saved" IS WRONG. This is plain and simple. One can be a servant of Christ, start the practice of sin, and not be ready for eternal life when Christ comes back again. This person will wind up with the unbelievers in hell. So be careful. Verses 47 and 48 prove there will be varying degrees of punishment in hell. It will be worse for those who lose their salvation. 2 Peter 2:20,21 also shows this.
"But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished." (Luke 12:50) ~ Jesus here was talking about His coming crucifiction on the cross. ~ For us to be baptized into His death (Romans 6:3) means that we crucify the flesh with its passions and desires (Galatians 5:24).
"Do you suppose that I came to give peace (peace between individuals) on earth? I tell you not at all, but rather division." (Luke 12:51)
"... but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3) ~ Note: These words of the Lord are so important that they are the same exact words repeated just 2 verses later in 13:5.
Then one said to Him, "Lord, are there few who are saved?" (Luke 13:23)
And He said to them, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate (the access or entrance into any state), for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able." (Luke 13:24) ~ Note: That's a "Yes" answer to the previous verse, but next is the answer to the sub-title.
"... you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open for us,' and He will answer and say to you, 'I do not know you, where you are from." (Luke 13:25) ~ Note: You can call Jesus Lord and still not go to heaven....
"He will say, 'I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of inquity (unrighteousness).' There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (used to denote extreme anguish and utter despair of men consigned to eternal punishment in hell), when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out." (Luke 13:27,28)
"Then the master said to the servant, 'Go out into the highways (travelled ways) and hedges (fences, that which separates), and compel them to come in, that my house (the family of God) may be filled." (Luke 14:23)
"If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple." (Luke 14:26) ~ Note: Christ must be first place in your life, more than loving someone else, or even your own life. If people fear family disapproval, they might not come to Christ.
"whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple." (Luke 14:33) ~ Note: You should be totally committed to Christ.
"Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" (Luke 14:34,35) ~ Note: Jesus' point is that the same is true of a "saltless" disciple. He will be thrown out. The Greek word for "salt" is "halas." It also means "wisdom and grace exhibited in speech." The Greek word for "lost its flavor" is "moraino." It also means "to be foolish, to make flat and tasteless." So watch what you say. Don't be foolish and tasteless in what you say, have grace in your speech.
"There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (Luke 15:10)
"And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living." (Luke 15:13) ~ Note: The Greek verb for "wasted" is "diaskorpizo." It means "to scatter abroad, disperse." So this is doing something like what we call "throw your money away." The Greek word for "prodigal" is "asotos." It means "riotous, dissolutely, profligately." These words mean "immoral, corrupt, extremely wasteful, recklessly extravagant." So the son took his inheritance and squandered it all away living a recklessly extravagant lifestyle. But when he came to his senses (came to himself in 15:17. It doesn't means that the Holy Spirit convicted him. He had to personally choose what to do), repented, and turned back to his father, he said this...
"And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son." (Luke 15:21) ~ Note: This guy knew he fell into the bondage of sin and was no longer considered worthy to be a child of God, but his father said...
"'for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry." (Luke 15:24) ~ Note: The Greek word for "dead" is "nekros." Here it means "spiritually dead, destitute of a life that recognises and is devoted to God because given up to trespasses and sins." The Greek word for "alive again" is "anazao." Here it means "to be restored to a correct life, of one who returns to a better moral state." The words "restored" and "returns" are actions of things that once had it, then didn't have it, then had it again. The words "dead" and "alive again" clearly mean that the son lost his salvation but later got it back. And surely you probably know that the words "lost" and "found" are about someone who is or is not going to heaven. Clearly, this parable explains that someone can be a child of God, then leave God and start the practice of sin, and become dead and lose their fellowship with God, because God just said that "he was lost." Unless, of course, one comes to their senses, repents, and turns back to God like I did after I backslid and in the way it is portrayed in this parable. Then they will be "alive again."
"You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God." (Luke 16:15)
"It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come." (Luke 17:1)
"Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it." (Luke 17:33) ~ Note: We must be willing to die for Christ.
"And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:7,8) ~ Note: If you suffer, but have faith, and cry out to God, He will answer, even if it takes till He returns. When He comes back, He must find you with faith that He is the solution, no matter what you've gone through.
"How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God." (Luke 18:24) ~ Note: We must love our neighbors as ourselves. That means not keeping our money just for ourselves, but to also give to the poor. It's easy for a wealthy person to depend on their riches, than to depend on God. But with God, all things are possible. So if you have Him in your life, it's easy to give your money away.
And those who heard it said, "Who then can be saved?" But He said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." (Luke 18:26,27) ~ Note: The born again experience which is required in order for a person to go to heaven is only possible through God the Holy Spirit. A person can't do it on their own. When a rich person gets saved, it's the Holy Spirit who teaches all things that should instruct them to give away their money.
"And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring... Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory." (Luke 21:25,27) ~ Note: The sun will be darkened and the moon will not give it's light (turned to blood) as this is stated in Matt. 24:29. This is immediately after the tribulation. Then is the 2nd coming of Christ, called the rapture. There is no Pre-Trib rapture as most people say. It happens on the last day. Just like Noah and Lot escaped on the day that judgment came to the sinners, we will escape on the last day right before Armageddon.
"Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near." (Luke 21:28) ~ Note: Christians still alive will see these changes in the sun, the moon, and the stars. It is after the tribulation.
"But take heed (beware) to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day (the 2nd coming of Christ, on the last day after the tribulation) come on you unexpectedly. (suddenly)" (Luke 21:34) ~ Note: You need to be ready by not being in sin.
"Watch (to be circumspect, attentive, ready) therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape (to flee out of) all these things that will come to pass (happen), and to stand (continue safe and sound, stand unharmed, to stand ready or prepared) before the Son of Man." (Luke 21:36) ~ Note: I use to hear and believe this preached as meaning that we don't go into the tribulation, but that is wrong. It says we escape, not, not take part in. One who escapes from jail was in it. When we "escape all these things," means we were there in them, but we got out of them. The definition of "escape" means we flee out of it.
"And that repentance and remission (forgiveness or pardon) of sins should be preached (the public proclamation of the gospel and matters pertaining to it) in His name (the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning or hearing or remembering His name) to all nations." (Luke 24:47) ~ Note: We should be telling people that they should repent from their sins if they want to be saved. There is NO forgiveness of sins without repentance. They both go together, but as you see here, repentance comes first.
The gospel gets watered-down with this 1st verse, and some people don't even understand what it says. Just receiving Christ into your life is not the ticket to heaven. That's the way, but there's more to it...
But as many as have received Him, to them He gave the right (privilege, power of choice) to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: (John 1:12) ~ Note: This doesn't say that if you receive Him you are a child of God. It says you have the right (privilege) to become a child of God. You are not one yet. The very next verse, which is the conclusion of this verse, says you have to be born of God.
who were born, not of blood (not inherited through parents), nor of the will (what one wishes or has determined shall be done) of the flesh (one's body), nor of the will of man (not by somebody else's efforts), but of God (God makes you into His familty, born again by the Holy Spirit, through your faith in Christ's work). (John 1:13) ~ But some people have a misunderstanding faith. I did before. Faith is not the license to sin.
"Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." (John 2:19)
But He was speaking of the temple of His body. Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said. (John 2:21,22)
"Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again (from above, from a higher place, of things which come from heaven or God), he cannot see (know, perceive, discover, to ascertain what must be done about it, to experience any state or condition) the kingdom (of the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah's kingdom) of God." (John 3:3) ~ Note: Basically, being born again means you have a new kind of life, born from above, by the Holy Spirit. Praise the Lord, born again Christians will see God's kingdom.
He says it again, a little differently, but don't misunderstand it...
"Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." (John 3:5) ~ Note: This does not mean you need to be water-baptized to be saved. Jesus used the Old Testament imagery of "water" to refer to the work from God above in a person's life here. ~ Isaiah 44:3,4 - "For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring; they will spring up among the grass like willows by the watercourses." ~ That was what Jesus was talking about when He said being born of water and the Spirit. He did it in a similar way right after 3:16 here...
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) ~ Note: The Greek word "pisteuo" means "believe," but it also means "be committed unto." Therefore, this believing in Jesus Christ is not a one-time deal and it's all over with. You must be committed unto Him or else you are no longer a believer. "Pisteuo" also means "the conviction and trust to which a man is impelled by a certain inner and higher prerogative and law of soul." That means when we believe in Jesus Christ, His power within us drives us to have a distinctively superior advantage of having our souls obey His moral law.
"but whoever drinks (to receive into the soul what serves to refresh & strengthen & nourish it into life eternal) of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:14) ~ Note: This is being born of water = the power of God inside you.
"... the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead (spiritually dead, destitute of a life that recognizes and is devoted to God because given up to sins) will hear (to attend to, consider) the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in Himself, as He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth -- those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil (ethically bad), to the resurrection of condemnation." (John 5:25-29) ~ Note: You should surely see here that you must have done good to go to heaven.
"No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6:44) ~ But some people stop coming to Christ, like those who have already turned aside after Satan (1 Tim. 5:15).
"... he who believes in Me has everlasting life." (John 6:47) ~ Note: I showed you earlier what "believes" means. It's not a one-time deal and it's all over with. A believer is someone committed to obeying His moral law.
"It is the Spirit who gives life, the flesh profits nothing. The words that speak to you are spirit, and they are life." (John 6:63)
"I am the light of the world (God is light because light has the extremely delicate, subtle, pure, brilliant quality). He who follows (to join Him as a disciple) Me shall not walk (to conduct one's self, to pass one's life) in darkness (ignorance of divine things, and its associated wickedness, and the resultant misery in hell), but have the light (of truth and its knowledge, together with the spiritual purity associated with it) of life." (John 8:12) ~ Note: Jesus (the light) exposes sin and gives sight by telling us how to live in this world. If you follow Him, He will set you free from sin.
"If you abide (remain, continue, to last, endure) in My word, you are My disciples (learners, pupils) indeed. And you shall know the truth (what is true in things pertaining to God and the duties of man), and the truth shall make you free (set at liberty from the dominion of sin)." (John 8:31,32) Hallelujah!
"Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." (John 8:36) ~ Note: The way Christ makes us "free," the 1st time the word is used, also means "set at liberty from the dominion of sin." The 2nd time the word "free" is used, it also means "of one who ceases to be a slave." Hallelujah! Jesus Christ is the Son of God. If we truly follow Him, we will no longer be dominated by nor slaves of sin.
"If God were your Father, you would love Me... You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it... He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God." (John 8:42-47) ~ Note: The Greek word for "hear" also means "to attend to, consider what is or has been said, to understand." So it's a good idea for you to consider and understand this page, because this is the word of God.
"... if anyone keeps (to attend to carefully) My word he shall never see death (with the implied idea of future misery in hell)." (John 8:51)
Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshipper of God and does His will (what God wishes to be done by us), He hears him. (John 9:31) ~ Note: We know how God wants us to act through His word.
"He who loves his life will lose it (destroy it, to give over to eternal misery in hell), and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life (to guard from being lost or perishing)." (John 12:25) ~ Note: People who love their lives serve only themselves, and they will die spiritually.
"And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw (by inward power, lead) all peoples to Myself." (John 12:32) ~ Note: The word "all" does not mean everybody. It is generally used to show that Christ draws some of all sorts of people. Jesus was not talking about us lifting Him up in our lives, as many people think, but He was talking about His death of being lifted up on the cross, as the next verse in the bible clearly states.
"I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness." (John 12:46)
"He who rejects (refuses, slights) Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges (separates) him -- THE WORD that I have spoken will judge him in the last day." (John 12:48)
"... he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me." (John 13:20) ~ Note: I hope you are receiving these words on my pages and not rejecting them, because then you would be rejecting Christ and you would be judged (separated) at the last day as the last verse says.
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34,35)
"If you love Me, keep My commandments." (John 14:15)
"He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." (John 14:21) ~ Note: God's love is conditional. God loves you if you keep Christ's commandments.
"If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him." (John 14:23) ~ Note: This is showing God's conditional love again. God loves you and will be inside you if you keep Christ's word. God hates all the workers of iniquity (Psalm 5:5)
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your rememberance all things that I said to you." (John 14:26)
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart (the soul or mind) be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27) ~ Note: When we obey God we are not afraid of Him because we're living right and He gives us peace. This is different than fearing God, which we are to do. Being afraid is an action that comes from you doing something wrong.
"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away..." (John 15:1,2) ~ Note: This is someone in Christ who gets taken away because they did not bear fruit. The Greek word for "fruit" is "karpos." It means "that which originates or comes from something, an effect, result; or, work, act, deed; or, praises which are presented to God as a thank offering." Obviously something a servant of God personally needs to have or else God will take that person away. The Greek word for "takes away" is "airo." I believe the meaning here is "to take off or away what is attached to anything; to remove." This Scripture is about God removing someone from being in Christ. So clearly, this is about someone losing their salvation.
"If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered (note: in order to be cast out, one must first be "in Christ"); and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned." (John 15:6) ~ Note: The Greek word for "abide" is "meno." It also means "remain, continue, endure, not to depart, to continue to be present, to remain as one, not to become another or different." Surely, this is a warning to stay in Christ, which means it's possible to not do so. To be thrown into the fire and burned is clearly about God casting someone to hell where they will be consumed with fire. This will happen to a former branch in Christ. So this is a clear teaching of Jesus that it is necessary for us believers to continue to walk in the sanctification given us at the new birth. We must keep believing and obeying His word (John 15:9,10), or we chose to stop our relationship with Him. That would be some of us not bearing fruit, which stems from not obeying Him, that causes some to be cast out.
"As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love..." (John 15:9,10) ~ Note: We only get Christ's love when we keep His commandments, as this verse and 14:21,23 say. For us to receive Christ's love is not unconditional. We must keep (believe and obey) His word.
"You are My friends if you do whatever I command you." (John 15:14)
"You did not choose Me, but I choose you (God chooses whom He judges fit to receive His favors and separated from the rest of mankind - but will He judge you fit by your actions?) and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit SHOULD remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another." (John 15:16,17)
"If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, BUT NOW they have no excuse (no alleged reason, no pretended cause) for their sin." (John 15:22)
"But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. And you also will bear witness (to affirm that one has seen or heard or experienced something, or that one knows it because taught by divine revelation or inspiration)..." (John 15:26,27)
"And when He (the Holy Spirit, the Helper) has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment." (John 16:8)
I love reading the word of God. Through it, and by God's grace, He has taught me a lot and made me a better person. I hope my pages have helped you too. If you have a problem with your salvation, please see my "The Way To Heaven..." page. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. Sincerely, Patrick.