THE CHILDREN OF THE KINGDOM WILL BE CAST OUT – WHY?
Matthew 8:11–12
“I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
This is one of the most startling statements Jesus made. It forces us to ask:
How can “sons of the kingdom” be cast out? Aren’t they the rightful heirs of the Kingdom?
Does this mean Jesus made a mistake?
Absolutely not. Jesus was warning about a tragic spiritual truth: privilege without obedience leads to judgment.
Understanding the Context: Who Are the “Sons of the Kingdom”?
In first-century Judaism, the phrase “sons of the kingdom” referred to ethnic Israelites, those who assumed they were guaranteed a place in God’s kingdom because of their heritage as descendants of Abraham.
But Jesus turns this assumption upside down: not all who claim connection to the kingdom will enter it.
This principle applies not only to first-century Jews—but to anyone today who assumes religious familiarity equals salvation.
Parable Parallel: The Wedding Feast
Matthew 22:2–10
Jesus tells a parable of a king (symbolizing God) who prepared a wedding feast for his son (symbolizing Christ). Those originally invited (the Jews and, by extension, professing believers) refused to come. They were distracted by personal pursuits—fields, businesses—and some violently rejected the messengers (prophets, apostles, or preachers).
“But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business…” (v.5)
So the king destroyed their city (a prophetic reference to the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70) and invited others—outsiders—to fill the banquet hall. These outsiders represent Gentiles and repentant sinners who were not originally part of the covenant but responded to the invitation.
“Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.” (v.9)
The kingdom of God is not inherited by proximity but by obedience.
Implications
1. Spiritual Privilege ≠ Salvation
Many people today are like the “children of the kingdom”—they were raised in church, they own Bibles, they attend services, and they know the language of Christianity. But unless there is genuine faith evidenced by obedience, they are in danger of being cast out.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 7:21
2. God Honors Response, Not Excuses
Jesus highlighted how people give excuses for not responding to God.
“I’m too busy.” “It’s not the right time.” “My family wouldn’t approve.”
But Scripture is clear: excuses don’t justify disobedience.
“Yet another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.’ Jesus said… ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’” – Luke 9:61–62
“Whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” – Matthew 10:38
God’s grace is free, but discipleship is costly. Following Christ requires denying self and embracing obedience.
3. Hearing the Word is Not Enough
It’s not enough to hear good sermons or read the Bible. God’s Word demands a response—a life of obedience and transformation.
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” – James 1:22
Those who hear but do not act are like people looking into a mirror and forgetting their reflection—they are spiritually deceived.
“The one who looks into the perfect law… and perseveres… he will be blessed in his doing.” – James 1:25
4. The Kingdom Is for the Willing, Not Just the Familiar
Jesus said many will come from “east and west”—that is, people from every nation—who were never considered part of God’s covenant community, but because they believed and obeyed, they will dine with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom.
Meanwhile, those who assumed they had access will be “thrown into outer darkness”—a place of deep regret, symbolizing final separation from God (cf. Matthew 25:30).
What Must We Do?
- Don’t assume that knowing about God is the same as knowing God.
- Don’t delay obedience waiting for a “better time.”
- Don’t trust in heritage, denomination, or tradition—trust in Christ and walk in His ways.
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” – John 14:15
True love for Jesus is not expressed in words alone but in active obedience.
Respond Before It’s Too Late
We are living in the final moments before the return of Christ. Let us not be like the invited guests who rejected the call. Let us be like those who responded with humility and readiness, no matter their background.
“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” – Hebrews 3:15
Deny yourself. Obey Christ. The rapture is near. Be found ready.
The Lord is coming soon.
When You Are Old, Another Will Lead You — Choose Wisely While You’re Young
Praise the Lord Jesus Christ,
To Him be all glory, honor, and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Let us reflect on a profound statement Jesus made to the Apostle Peter, recorded in John 21:18
“Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished;
but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.”
At first glance, this verse refers to the kind of death Peter would face (see verse 19), but there’s a much deeper spiritual lesson hidden here—one that applies not just to Peter but to every believer, especially the young who still have freedom, strength, and the ability to choose.
1. The Freedom of Youth – A Season of Decision
Jesus contrasts Peter’s youth with his old age. In youth, Peter was able to “gird himself and go where he wished.” This symbolizes freedom of will, strength, and the power to make choices.
In your youth, you can choose:
- What you believe.
- Who you serve.
- What values you follow.
But freedom is temporary. As age comes, your ability to choose will diminish—not just physically, but spiritually.
The Bible affirms this power of choice in youth:
1 John 2:14
“I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.”
The strength of youth is not just physical—it includes spiritual potential. This is the time to overcome sin, learn the Word, and build a life with God. But that window doesn’t last forever.
2. The Warning: “Another Will Gird You” — Who Will It Be?
Jesus says that when Peter is old, “another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.”
That “another” represents either:
- God — if you surrender your life to Him now.
- Satan — if you ignore God’s call.
There is no neutral ground in the spiritual realm. Jesus said:
Matthew 12:30
“He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.”
If you do not choose God while you still can, eventually Satan will choose for you. This leads to spiritual bondage where you no longer desire or understand God’s truth.
Many elderly people who rejected the gospel in their youth find it almost impossible to receive it later. Not because they’re unloved by God, but because they have already been spiritually “bound” by another master.
Romans 6:16
“Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey… whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?”
3. The Blessing: If You Bind Yourself to Christ Now, He Will Keep You Later
If you choose Christ now, while you have strength, He will lead you when your strength is gone.
Even in weakness, old age, suffering, or death, you’ll be in His hands. He promises eternal life and security to those who are His:
John 10:28
“And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.”
Even if you face hardship for your faith, you will not be lost. You are already “bound” to Christ—and that is eternal security.
That’s why Solomon wrote:
Ecclesiastes 12:1
“Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth,
Before the difficult days come,
And the years draw near when you say, ‘I have no pleasure in them.’”
If you don’t remember God now, a time will come when even pleasure in life will disappear. That’s the life of someone spiritually bound by the enemy.
4. Now Is the Time – Cleanse Your Path While You Still Can
Don’t wait. The time to start is today. The psalmist asked:
Psalm 119:9
“How can a young man cleanse his way?
By taking heed according to Your word.”
Start aligning your life with God’s Word now. Reject worldly distractions. People, possessions, and pleasure cannot save you when your strength fails.
Proverbs 14:12
“There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.”
5. Urgency: Jesus Is Coming Soon — The Trumpet Is About to Sound
This is not the time for spiritual complacency. The return of Jesus is imminent. The gospel today is not a soft call—it is an urgent plea to enter the Kingdom of God by force:
Matthew 11:12 (NKJV) –
“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.”
Every sign of Christ’s return has been fulfilled. If you think there’s still time, think again. The trumpet can sound at any moment.
1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 (NKJV) –
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.
Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.”
The trumpet is sounding. Don’t ignore it.
Final Encouragement
Dear brother or sister,
The choices you make now will determine who controls your life later. Whether it will be God or the enemy depends on what you do today.
If you bind yourself to Christ now, He will lead you safely into eternity. But if you delay, you may find yourself being led by “another”—to a place you never wanted to go.
Choose Christ now.
May the Lord help us.
Shalom.
Was Paul Saying We Shouldn’t Preach About Baptism? (1 Corinthians 1:17)
Many people quote 1 Corinthians 1:17 where Paul says:
“For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.”
—1 Corinthians 1:17
From this, some conclude: “Since Paul wasn’t sent to baptize, then maybe I’m also not called to preach about baptism. I’m just called to preach faith in Christ.”
But is that what Paul meant? And does it mean we can ignore preaching about baptism or other core doctrines like repentance, the Holy Spirit, or holy living?
Let’s explore this with Scripture and sound theology.
1. Every Servant of God Is Called to Preach the Whole Word
The calling to preach the gospel includes the full counsel of God’s Word. Paul himself declared:
“Therefore I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you. For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.”
—Acts 20:26–27
This means no preacher is permitted to omit, minimize, or skip certain biblical truths because they feel unqualified or uncomfortable.
Though we may have different gifts (Romans 12:6–8), we all preach the same gospel (Galatians 1:6–9). Our styles may differ, but the message must be the same: a full gospel of repentance, baptism, faith, and the life of holiness.
2. What Did Paul Mean in 1 Corinthians 1:17?
Paul was not denying the importance of baptism. He was making a distinction between his primary task and the supporting roles in ministry. His main focus was evangelism and church planting, not performing baptisms personally.
“I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius… I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.”
—1 Corinthians 1:14–16
Paul was clearly involved in baptism, but he allowed others to administer it so he could focus on preaching the gospel more widely. He taught about baptism and even ensured people were baptized properly (see Acts 19:1–5), but he didn’t personally perform the act in most cases.
Acts 19:4–5
“Paul said, ‘John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.’ On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Paul didn’t avoid baptism—he simply worked as part of a team and prioritized his apostolic mission.
3. Preaching the Whole Gospel Includes Baptism
Jesus Himself made baptism part of the Great Commission:
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
—Matthew 28:19–20
Preaching faith in Christ without calling people to baptism and obedience is preaching an incomplete gospel. The apostles understood this:
“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”
—Acts 2:38
4. Delegating Roles Doesn’t Eliminate the Message
In Acts 6, the apostles delegated food distribution to deacons so they could focus on the Word:
“It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables… We will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”
—Acts 6:2,4
Likewise, Paul delegated baptism when needed. But he still preached about it and made sure new believers were taught everything Christ commanded.
5. Preaching Selectively Is Spiritually Dangerous
God warns us not to add to or subtract from His Word:
“I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues… And if anyone takes words away…, God will take away that person’s share in the tree of life.”
—Revelation 22:18–19
Avoiding topics like baptism, holiness, or repentance because they’re “too sensitive” is spiritual compromise. Paul warned Timothy:
“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”
—2 Timothy 4:2
6. Truth May Hurt—but It Heals
Sometimes the truth offends or causes sorrow—but that sorrow can lead to repentance and salvation:
“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”
—2 Corinthians 7:10
If you know someone was baptized incorrectly, or is living in sin, and you keep quiet to protect their feelings—you are not helping them. You are withholding the truth that could save them.
We Are All Called to Preach the Full Gospel
Every preacher, teacher, and believer is called to share the whole truth of God’s Word—not just what is popular or easy to say.
Baptism is part of the gospel. So are repentance, holiness, faith, obedience, and the Holy Spirit. If God has revealed it in Scripture, then it’s part of our responsibility to teach and preach it.
The Lord is coming!
“But in Times of Trouble, They Say: ‘Stand Up and Save Us!’”
Have you ever met people who only reach out to you when they need something? They don’t check on you, don’t build a relationship, and the only time they contact you is when they’re in trouble. And as soon as you help them, they disappear—until the next crisis.
It doesn’t feel good, does it?
Now imagine how God must feel when people treat Him the same way.
That’s the kind of shallow relationship many people today have with God. They don’t seek Him daily, don’t pray, read the Bible, or live for Him. But when trouble comes—sickness, financial crisis, family problems—they suddenly remember God and cry out for help.
This is not new. God addressed the same issue through the prophet Jeremiah:
“They say to a tree, ‘You are my father,’ and to a stone, ‘You gave me birth.’ For they have turned their back to me, and not their face. But in the time of their trouble they say, ‘Arise and save us!’”
—Jeremiah 2:27
God was pointing out how His people had abandoned Him, replacing Him with idols—yet when disaster struck, they expected Him to rescue them. It’s a picture of hypocrisy: ignoring God in everyday life but calling on Him in emergencies.
Sadly, this describes many believers today. Prayer has become a last resort. Worship is occasional and often transactional. Reading Scripture is rare. People don’t seek God for who He is—but for what He can do.
True Relationship vs. Religious Convenience
God desires relationship, not ritual. He is not a vending machine for miracles. Jesus made this very clear when He said:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’
And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”
—Matthew 7:21–23
This passage isn’t about atheists or unbelievers—it’s about religious people. People who were doing “spiritual” things but lacked a real relationship with Jesus. They used His name, but did not live under His lordship.
God Is Not Obligated to Bless Disobedience
Let’s be honest: seeking God only when you need something is spiritual manipulation, not faith. It’s using God as a backup plan instead of honoring Him as Lord. That mindset doesn’t lead to blessing—it leads to judgment.
In Jeremiah 2:28–29, God responds to this false religiosity:
“But where are your gods that you made for yourself? Let them arise, if they can save you, in your time of trouble! For as many as your cities are your gods, O Judah. Why do you contend with me? You have all transgressed against me, declares the Lord.”
—Jeremiah 2:28–29
He’s saying, “If your false gods could give you comfort, success, healing, or security—then why don’t they help you now?” God doesn’t want us to lean on superstition, anointing oils, or religious items. He wants our hearts.
Salvation Is a Daily Walk
A true believer doesn’t seek God only for deliverance but lives daily in His presence—whether in peace or in pain. God is not just Savior in trouble; He is Lord every day.
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”
—Deuteronomy 6:5
This love is not conditional. It’s not based on answered prayers or prosperity. It’s based on knowing Him—and walking with Him through all seasons.
What Should We Do?
We need to return to authentic faith—a faith that honors God whether life is good or hard. Here’s how:
- Seek God daily – not just in emergencies.
- Read His Word (start with even 20 minutes a day).
- Pray sincerely – not just for requests, but to know Him.
- Worship regularly – not out of duty, but love.
- Obey His commands – faith without obedience is dead (James 2:17).
- Desire to be His child, not just His beneficiary.
When we do that, we won’t even need to beg for blessings—because relationship brings access. Jesus said:
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
—Matthew 6:33
Closing Prayer
May the Lord open our eyes to see Him not just as a rescuer but as our Father. May He transform our hearts to desire Him daily. And may we be found faithful when Christ returns—ready for His kingdom, not just His miracles.
Shalom.
Was it Really the Lord’s Custom to Keep the Sabbath? (Luke 4:16)
The Bible tells us that Jesus regularly went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day. But does this mean that we are also required to observe the Sabbath in the same way?
Luke 4:16
“He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read.”
At first glance, this may seem like Jesus was observing the Sabbath just as the Jewish people did under the Law of Moses. However, it is important to understand the deeper theological meaning.
Jesus is called the Lord of the Sabbath:
Luke 6:5
“Then Jesus said to them, ‘The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.’”
This reveals that Jesus has authority over the Sabbath—it is not a law that binds Him as it does the rest of humanity. The Sabbath was originally given as a day of rest and worship (Exodus 20:8-11), but Jesus, as Creator and Lord (John 1:3), fulfills its ultimate purpose.
Why, then, was it Jesus’ custom to attend synagogue on the Sabbath?
The Sabbath was the day when most Jews gathered in the synagogue to hear the Scriptures preached (Nehemiah 13:19-22). Other days were workdays. Jesus went where the people were, on the day they assembled. If they had gathered on a different day, He would have gone then. This was a practical decision to reach the people effectively, not a religious requirement.
This is similar to modern evangelistic methods: someone might choose Saturday or Sunday to go door-to-door because more people are at home, not because those days are sacred.
Importantly, Jesus also said:
Mark 2:27
“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”
This means the Sabbath was designed to serve humanity’s good, not to enslave people to legalistic observance.
The apostles also preached in synagogues on the Sabbath (Acts 13:14, 42-44), not because they were bound to Sabbath observance, but because it was the day people gathered to hear God’s Word.
What about Christians today?
The New Testament clarifies that Christians are no longer under the old ceremonial laws, including Sabbath observance:
Colossians 2:16-17
“Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.”
Instead, Christians enter into a spiritual rest through faith in Jesus Christ:
Hebrews 4:9-10
“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.”
True Sabbath rest is about peace with God and freedom from the burden of legalism through Christ.
Jesus is coming.
Should Our Light Shine or Not? Understanding Matthew 5:16 and Matthew 6:1 in Context
The Question:
In Matthew 5:16, Jesus tells us to let our light shine before others. Yet in Matthew 6:1, He warns us not to do our good deeds before people to be seen by them.
At first glance, this might seem like a contradiction. So, are we supposed to do good works publicly or not?
The Context Matters
Let’s read both scriptures carefully, starting with Matthew 5:14–16:
Matthew 5:14–16
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Here, Jesus is calling believers to live lives that reflect God’s righteousness and love. The purpose of our “light” is to reveal God’s goodness to the world. It’s not about self-promotion, but about shining with the character of Christ (see Philippians 2:15 – “shine among them like stars in the sky”).
Then we read Matthew 6:1–2, where Jesus says:
Matthew 6:1–2
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.”
This is a warning against pride and hypocrisy. The issue is not doing good in public, but doing it with the wrong motive—seeking personal glory rather than God’s.
These verses are not contradictory but complementary. Jesus is addressing two different heart attitudes:
- In Matthew 5, He is encouraging a life of visible, active faith that draws people to glorify God.
- In Matthew 6, He is warning against doing good deeds with the intention of receiving human praise.
According to biblical theology, intent matters as much as action. God sees the heart (1 Samuel 16:7), and righteousness without humility is empty (see Isaiah 64:6 – “all our righteous acts are like filthy rags” when done in pride).
Paul echoes this in 1 Corinthians 10:31:
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
True Christian living involves actions that point upward to God, not inward to ourselves.
An Example from Scripture: Herod’s Mistake
In Acts 12:20–23, King Herod made a public address that impressed his audience. The people shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man!” Herod accepted their praise instead of giving glory to God.
Acts 12:23
“Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.”
This shows how seriously God takes misplaced glory. Good works or talents that bring glory to self instead of God are not righteousness—they are rebellion masked in good behavior.
Let Your Light Shine—For God’s Glory
There’s no contradiction between Matthew 5:16 and Matthew 6:1 when we understand the key principle:
Visibility is not the issue. Motivation is.
If your goal is to glorify God, then let your light shine boldly! Do good, speak truth, serve others—so that people may see Christ in you.
But if your goal is to glorify yourself, even a good deed becomes a spiritual trap.
We are called to reflect God’s light, not create our own spotlight.
So, ask yourself regularly:
- Is this about making God known, or making myself known?
- Would I still do this if no one saw it but God?
If it’s about God’s glory, go all in. If it’s about your own, repent and refocus.
Colossians 3:17
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
(The Lord is coming!)
“But I have a baptism to be baptized with” (Luke 12:50) — What did Jesus mean?
1. Context and Meaning of Luke 12:50
In Luke 12:49–50, Jesus says:
“I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished!”
Jesus is not referring to water baptism here — that had already taken place at the beginning of His ministry (Matthew 3:13–17). Instead, He is speaking figuratively about a coming baptism of suffering — the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection.
This “baptism” refers to His submersion into suffering and death for the sake of the world. The term “baptism” (Greek: baptizō) literally means to immerse or to submerge, and Jesus was soon to be fully immersed in the suffering required to fulfill His redemptive mission.
2. The Baptism of the Cross: Death, Burial, and Resurrection
Jesus’ death was not merely a martyrdom but a substitutionary atonement — He died in our place, bearing our sins (Isaiah 53:5–6; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Through His burial, our sin was buried with Him, and through His resurrection, we are offered new life.
“Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
— Romans 6:4
“Having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.”
— Colossians 2:12
This explains why Jesus was deeply “distressed” (Luke 12:50). The cross meant physical agony, but also the spiritual weight of carrying the world’s sin.
3. Our Identification Through Water Baptism
Water baptism is not just a religious ritual; it’s a spiritual act of identifying with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. When a believer is baptized, it symbolizes:
- Dying to the old sinful self (Romans 6:6)
- Being buried with Christ (Colossians 2:12)
- Rising to new life in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17)
“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
— Acts 2:38
Through water baptism, our sins are washed away (Acts 22:16), and we are spiritually united with Christ.
4. The Spiritual Reality After Baptism
After rising from baptism, the believer enters a new spiritual status:
“Even when we were dead in trespasses, [God] made us alive together with Christ… and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”
— Ephesians 2:5–6
This passage reveals that in the spiritual realm, we are already seated with Christ, sharing in His victory and authority.
5. The Necessity of Being Born of Water and Spirit
Jesus emphasized the essential nature of baptism in John 3:5:
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
Being “born of water” refers to baptism, and being “born of the Spirit” refers to receiving the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5; Acts 10:44–48). Both are necessary for true regeneration and entry into eternal life.
So when Jesus said, “I have a baptism to be baptized with”, He was pointing ahead to His suffering, death, burial, and resurrection — the core of the Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). This was the ultimate baptism, and He was under great pressure until it was fulfilled.
“The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”
— Luke 9:22
Therefore, water baptism today is more than symbolic — it’s a participation in the Gospel, a public act of faith, and a spiritual transformation reflecting the death of the old self and resurrection into new life in Christ.
(“Come, O Lord!” – 1 Corinthians 16:22)
For All Things Are Your Servants (Psalm 119:91)
Key Passage
“Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you.”
— Psalm 119:90–91
1. What Does It Mean That “All Things Serve God”?
Psalm 119:91 declares that “all things serve” God. This truth reflects the doctrine of God’s providence, which teaches that God governs all creation with wisdom, power, and purpose. Everything in nature and history ultimately serves God’s will (Romans 8:28).
Examples:
- The sun, moon, stars, wind, fire, animals, and insects—all obey His command (Psalm 148:1–10).
- Nature responds to God’s voice and reveals His glory:
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
— Psalm 19:1
These things serve God passively, not by choice or will, but by being what God created them to be. They point us to God’s greatness and help accomplish His purposes in creation, judgment, or blessing (Job 37:12–13).
2. Can Physical Objects Be Used as Spiritual Tools?
Some today use water, salt, oil, soil, or other materials in prayer, believing these items carry divine power. Others reference biblical stories where such things were used miraculously:
- Jesus used mud to heal a blind man (John 9:6–7).
- Elisha threw salt into bad water to purify it (2 Kings 2:19–22).
- Moses lifted a bronze serpent for healing (Numbers 21:8–9).
These moments were divine interventions, not spiritual formulas. God used ordinary objects in extraordinary ways for specific moments. But nowhere in Scripture are these objects turned into repeated rituals for healing or blessings.
“Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it?”
— Lamentations 3:37
To turn a divine moment into a human method is to fall into ritualism and superstition, which the Bible warns against (Colossians 2:20–23).
3. The Danger of Turning Objects Into Idols
Israel made this mistake. God once used a bronze serpent to bring healing (Numbers 21), but centuries later, the people began worshiping it. King Hezekiah had to destroy it:
“He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it.”
— 2 Kings 18:4
What began as a God-ordained tool had become an idol. This pattern still repeats when people use “anointed items” as if they have inherent power apart from God’s will.
Worship that replaces God’s ordained way with created things is idolatry (Romans 1:25). This grieves God and opens doors to deception.
4. God’s Only Way: Jesus Christ
God has given us one mediator and one name through which we receive salvation, healing, deliverance, and blessing:
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
— Acts 4:12
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.”
— 1 Timothy 2:5
It is not oil, water, salt, or cloth that saves or heals—it is Jesus Christ alone. To trust in anything else is to shift our faith from God to objects.
5. How Should We Approach Prayer and Worship?
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
— Colossians 3:17
We are called to approach God through faith in Jesus, with dependence on His name, not with symbolic objects or rituals. Everything we do spiritually—prayer, worship, service—should be Christ-centered, not object-centered.
What Psalm 119:91 Does Not Mean
Psalm 119:91 does not mean we are to use physical elements as channels for divine power or access to God. Yes, all things are God’s servants—but their role is to glorify God by their existence, not to become tools of spiritual mediation.
Let us:
- Worship the Creator, not creation (Romans 1:25)
- Trust in Jesus alone, not spiritual objects
- Avoid ritualism, and hold fast to sound doctrine
“Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.”
— 1 John 5:21
Final Prayer
May the Lord deliver us from all forms of idolatry—visible or subtle—and anchor our faith solely in Jesus Christ, the Author and Perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).
Shalom.
THE SPIRITS OF DEMONS: A BIBLICAL OVERVIEW
Praise be to the name of our Savior Jesus Christ forever!
Let us reflect deeply on the Scriptures today as we explore the three principal demonic offices active in the world according to biblical prophecy.
Scriptural Foundation (Using the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted):
Revelation 16:13-14 (NIV)
“Then I saw three impure spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. They are spirits of demons performing signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty.”
This passage identifies three distinct but connected demonic agents:
- The Dragon representing Satan (cf. Revelation 12:9)
- The Beast symbolizing worldly political power empowered by Satan (Revelation 13)
- The False Prophet the spiritual deceiver promoting false worship (Revelation 13:11-18)
Together, these three form the core of Satan’s kingdom on Earth, with Satan as the head (cf. Ephesians 6:12).
1. The Dragon: Satan’s Primary Enemy of Christ and the Church
The Dragon’s main work is described as trying to devour the “child” (Christ) and by extension, all who are born again in Christ. This reveals Satan’s ongoing opposition to God’s redemptive plan.
Revelation 12:3-5 (NIV)
“Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on its heads. Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born. She gave birth to a son, a male child, who ‘will rule all the nations with an iron scepter.’ And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne.”
The “woman” here symbolizes God’s people (Israel and the Church, cf. Revelation 12:17), and the “male child” is Christ. Satan’s hatred of Christ manifests in his attempt to kill Him (Herod’s massacre, Matthew 2:16) and persecute the church (1 Peter 5:8).
Today, the Dragon still wages spiritual warfare against believers, opposing holiness and the expansion of Christ’s kingdom.
Revelation 12:17 (NIV)
“Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.”
This war manifests in spiritual opposition, persecution, and temptation against the faithful.
2. The Beast: The Political Power of the Antichrist
The Beast represents a satanically empowered political system that opposes God’s kingdom and persecutes the saints. Historically, it parallels great empires hostile to God (Babylon, Medo Persia, Greece, Rome).
Daniel 7:7-8 (NIV) and Revelation 13:1-2 (NIV) provide background on this beast with “ten horns” symbolizing kingdoms and rulers.
Revelation 13:8 (NIV)
“All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast all whose names have not been written in the Lamb’s book of life, the Lamb who was slain from the creation of the world.”
This beast will force global worship and economic control, including the infamous mark of the Beast (666). Those who resist face severe persecution (Revelation 13:15-17).
The system is closely tied to the city of Rome (symbolized in prophecy as the “Great City,” Revelation 17:9-18), and its power will rise again in the end times with unprecedented global influence.
3. The False Prophet: The Spiritual Deceiver
The False Prophet is the religious counterpart to the Beast’s political power. His role is to deceive the world with signs and wonders, directing worship toward the Beast and his image.
1 John 2:18 (NIV)
“Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour.”2 Thessalonians 2:6-9 (NIV)
“And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan, displaying all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders.”
Revelation 13:12-18 (NIV) describes the False Prophet’s ability to perform miraculous signs, enforce worship of the Beast, and impose the mark on humanity.
Final Convergence and the Battle of Armageddon
At the end of the age, these three demonic offices will unite to oppose God’s people and gather all nations for the final battle Armageddon (Revelation 16:16). Jesus Christ will return to defeat them and establish His millennial kingdom (Revelation 19:11-21; 20:1-6).
Practical Implications for Believers Today
- Spiritual warfare is real. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us our battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil.
- Holiness attracts opposition. The Dragon will oppose all who follow Christ earnestly (Revelation 12:17).
- End time warnings call for repentance. The Beast’s system and the False Prophet’s deception are already active in various forms.
- Faithful endurance is vital. The saints are called to persevere and remain faithful until Christ’s return (Revelation 14:12).
The rapture could happen at any moment (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). The signs are fulfilled, and the systems of the Beast and False Prophet are rising.
Repent, turn to Jesus sincerely, and follow Him faithfully. Take up your cross and live in holiness, for the trumpet could sound at any moment.
May the Lord richly bless you.
What Did Jesus Mean by Saying, “The Worker Deserves His Wages”?(Matthew 10:10)
When Jesus commissioned His twelve disciples to go out and preach the kingdom of God, He gave them a unique set of instructions. These included not accepting payment for their ministry, nor carrying extra provisions. Yet, in the same breath, He concluded with a powerful statement:“The worker is worth his keep.” (Matthew 10:10b)
This statement might seem contradictory at first glance. If the disciples were to “freely give” as they had “freely received” (Matthew 10:8), what exactly was the “wage” they were to receive?
1. Understanding the Context
In Matthew 10:5-15, Jesus sends the twelve on a mission, instructing them to rely entirely on God’s provision rather than human planning or resources. He tells them not to take money, a travel bag, or even extra clothes:
“Matthew 10:9–10 “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.”
The point was clear: God would provide for their needs through those who received their message.
2. Theological Insight: God’s Provision Through His People
Though they weren’t to charge for their ministry (since the power and message were gifts from God), Jesus affirmed their right to be cared for. This principle is echoed throughout Scripture:
Matthew 10:41 “Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward…”
And later, Paul reinforces the same principle:
1 Corinthians 9:13–14, “Dont you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple… In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.”
Jesus was not endorsing the commercialization of ministry but affirming the idea that those who labor in the service of God are entitled to material support — not as a payment, but as provision for their faithful work.
3. Jesus as the Ultimate Provider
When Jesus later asked His disciples:
Luke 22:35, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?”
“Nothing,” they answered.
It confirmed His faithfulness. He had provided everything they needed through the generosity and hospitality of others. This illustrates a deeper truth: those who serve God in trust and obedience will never be abandoned (Matthew 6:31–33).
4. Practical Balance in Ministry
While the initial instruction was to take nothing, we later see Jesus adjusting His directions based on context:
Mark 6:8–9, “Take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra shirt.”
This shows that while faith is the foundation, wisdom and preparedness also have their place, depending on the mission.
5. Conclusion: Faithful Service, Faithful Provision
Jesus’ statement that “the worker deserves his wages” is a reminder that ministry should be done with faith, not fear, and that God honors and sustains those who serve Him faithfully. Whether through miraculous provision or human generosity, the Lord ensures His servants lack nothing.
So, if you are called to serve — go boldly. Trust that your “wages” are not in human hands, but in God’s — and He is always faithful.
Shalom.
