Luke 7

Jewish leaders ask Jesus to heal Centurion servant verse 1- 5

Now when HE had ended all HIS sayings in the audience of the people

HE entered into Capernaum

AND a certain centurion’s servant – who was dear to him – was sick – and ready to die

and when he heard of Jesus – he sent unto HIM the elders of the Jews

beseeching HIM that He would come and heal his servant

AND when they came to Jesus – they besought HIM instantly – saying

That he was worthy for whom HE should do this

FOR he loves our nation and he has built us a synagogue

Centurion meets Jesus on way to his house verse 6- 8

THEN Jesus went with them – and when HE was now not far from the house

the centurion sent friends to HIM – saying unto HIM

Lord – trouble not YOURSELF

FOR I am not worthy that YOU should enter under my

roof wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto YOU

BUT say in a word – and my servant shall be healed

FOR I also am a man set under authority – having under me

soldiers and I say to one – Go and he goes

and to another – Come – and he comes and to my servant –

Do this – and he does it

Jesus amazed at faith of Centurion verse 9- 10

When Jesus heard these things – HE marveled at him

and turned HIM about – and said to the people that followed HIM

I say to you – I have not found so great faith – no- not in Israel

And they that were sent – returning to the house

found the servant whole that had been sick

Jesus raises Widow’s son from the dead verse 11- 15

And it came to pass the day after – that HE went into a city called Nain

and many of HIS disciples went with HIM – and much people

Now when HE came nigh to the gate of the city

BEHOLD – there was a dead man carried out – the only son of his mother

and she was a widow – and much people of the city was with her

And when the Lord saw her – HE had compassion on her – and said to her

Weep not

And HE came and touched the bier – and they that bare him stood still

and HE said – Young man – I say to you – Arise

And he that was dead sat up – and began to speak

and HE delivered him to his mother

People praised God verse 16- 17

And there came a fear on all – and they GLORIFIED God – saying

That a great prophet is risen up among us

and – that God hath visited HIS people

And this rumor of HIM went forth throughout all Judea

and throughout all the region round about

Disciples of John visit Jesus verse 18- 20

And the disciples of John showed him of all these things

and John calling to him two of his disciples sent them to Jesus – saying

Are YOU HE that should come? OR look we for another?

When the men were come to HIM – they said

John Baptist has sent us to YOU – saying

Are YOU HE that should come? Or look we for another?

Jesus asks disciples of John to observe HIS actions verse 21- 23

And in that same hour HE cured many of their infirmities and plagues

and of evil spirits and to many that were blind he gave sight

THEN Jesus answering said to them

Go your way – and tell John what things ye have seen and heard

how that the blind see – the lame walk – the lepers are

cleansed the deaf hear – the dead are raised to the

poor the gospel is preached

And blessed is he – whosoever shall not be offended in ME

Jesus bears witness to ministry of

John the Baptist verse 24- 28

And when the messengers of John were departed

HE began to speak unto the people concerning John

What went you out into the wilderness for to see?

A reed shaken with the wind?

BUT what went you out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment?

BEHOLD – they which are gorgeously appareled

and live delicately – are in kings’ courts

BUT what went you out for to see? A prophet?

Yea – I say to you and much more than a prophet

This is he – of whom it is written

BEHOLD – I send MY messenger before YOUR face

which shall prepare YOUR way before YOU

FOR I say to you – Among those that are born of women there

is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist

BUT he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he

Contrast results of John the Baptist’s ministry verse 29- 35

AND all the people that heard HIM – and the publicans – JUSTIFIED God

being baptized with the baptism of John

BUT the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves

being not baptized of him

And the Lord said

Where to then shall I liken the men of this generation? And to what are they like?

They are like unto children sitting in the market place

and calling one to another – and saying

We have piped to you – and you have not danced

We have mourned to you – and you have not wept

FOR John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine

and you say – He has a devil

The Son of man is come eating and drinking

and you say – BEHOLD a gluttonous man – and a winebibber

a friend of publicans and sinners

BUT wisdom is justified of all her children

Jesus anointed by sinful woman at Pharisees house verse 36- 39

And one of the Pharisees desired HIM that HE would eat with him

and HE went into the Pharisee’s house – and sat down to meat

And – BEHOLD – a woman in the city – which was a sinner

when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house

brought an alabaster box of ointment

and stood at HIS feet behind HIM weeping

and began to wash HIS feet with tears

and did wipe them with the hairs of her head and kissed HIS feet

and anointed HIS feet with the ointment

Now when the Pharisee which had bidden HIM saw it – he spoke within himself

saying This man – if HE were a prophet would have known who

and what manner of woman this is that touches HIM

FOR she is a sinner

Jesus tells Simon the Pharisee a parable verse 40- 47

AND Jesus answering said unto him

Simon – I have somewhat to say to you

AND he said

Master – say on

There was a certain creditor which had two debtors

the one owed five hundred pence – and the other fifty

AND when they had nothing to pay – he frankly forgave them both

Tell ME therefore – which of them will love him most?

Simon answered and said

I suppose that he – to whom he forgave most

AND HE said unto him

You hast rightly judged

AND HE turned to the woman – and said to Simon

See you this woman? I entered into your house

you gave ME no water for MY feet

BUT she has washed MY feet with tears

and wiped them with the hairs of her head

You gave ME no kiss – BUT this woman

since the time I came in has not ceased to kiss MY feet

MY head with oil thou did not anoint

BUT this woman has anointed MY feet with ointment

Wherefore I say to you

Her sins – which are many – are forgiven

for she loved much

BUT to whom little is forgiven – the same loves little

Jesus speaks to the sinful woman verse 48- 50

AND HE said to her – your sins are forgiven

and they that sat at meat with HIM began to say within themselves

Who is this that forgives sins also?

AND HE said to the woman

Your faith has saved you – go in peace

COMMENTARY:

DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers

: 9 When Jesus heard these things, HE marveled at him, and turned HIM about, and said to the people that followed HIM, I say to you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. (4102 “faith” [pistis] means strong confidence in, reliance on, to believe in, trust, trustworthiness, honesty, proof, doctrine, belief in the Gospel or a state of certainty with regard to belief.)

DEVOTION: One of the great characteristics of Jesus was HIS honesty. HE said what HE meant. No one could doubt HE had a standard that needed to be met by everyman. HE didn’t have favorites. The standard was fixed.

HE didn’t have a different standard for the children of Israel and the Gentiles. HE wanted each to have faith in HIM. HE wanted them both to trust HIM. However, HE spent the majority of HIS ministry to the children of Israel. HE would only occasionally visit with Gentiles. HE, in fact, told the women who wanted her child healed that HE was only sent to the children of Israel. She stated that even the dogs get the crumbs that fell from the masters table. HE was amazed at her faith.

Now we have him helping a Gentile Centurion soldier. The soldier told Jesus that he wasn’t worthy to have HIM come into his house. He just wanted the LORD to say the word and his servant would be healed. This honor give to HIM made HIM make this statement found in this verse.

The Centurion’s faith was greater than the faith that HE had seen in all of Israel. This really says something. The children of Israel had the Old Testament and the prophets to teach them what faith was all about. However, the religious leaders of the days of Jesus were not teaching the truth. They were making their own rules for the common people to follow while they didn’t follow them themselves. They were hypocrites and Jesus called them on it.

CHALLENGE: True followers of the LORD will know the standard HE had set for them and are trying to follow it.

DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers

: 30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. (114 “rejected” [atheteo] means despise, bring to nothing, disannul, cast off, refuse, set aside or regard as invalid.)

DEVOTION: The false religious leaders were not concerned with what John the Baptist said or what Jesus was saying regarding their relationship to the commands of God. They thought they were the authority and no one was going to tell them different.

We have people today who think that they are the final authority on what the Bible teaches. They are not concerned with sound doctrine but what they are teaching. Once anyone gets to the point where they think they are always right God doesn’t need to be involved.

Can you imagine telling God HE is wrong? There are many believers who think that they know exactly how God would act in a given situation. There are believers who think that they know the will of God for other believers. Warning regarding people who think they are gifted in a special area when those who are mature in the faith tell them that they don’t see the gift. That individual should listen to counsel. We have many men who think that they are gifted for ministry when in reality they should be plowing corn not preaching Christ.

There are many Christians or those who claim to be Christians who think that they can pick and choose which beliefs they will obey and which ones they will not obey. The Pharisees were a group that told everyone else what to do but wouldn’t do it themselves. They had a double standard. They had one standard for those who were in leadership and one for the common folks.

Jesus complimented the ministry of John the Baptist because he was preparing the way for HIS ministry. John lived as a prophet in the wilderness while Jesus taught in the city. Both ministries were of God. The Pharisees claims that John sinned in his lifestyle and that Christ sinned in HIS lifestyle. One of them should have been right but neither was in the eyes of the false religious leaders who always got it right.

CHALLENGE: Watch that you are not regarding as invalid teaching that comes from the Word of God. Identify the true counsel of God and follow it.

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: 34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and you say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! (5314 “gluttonous” [phagos] means a voracious man, a person who is devoted to eating and drinking to excess, or a person who habitually eats excessively.)

DEVOTION: Habits come under the control of Jesus once become a follower of HIM. There are good habits and bad habits. The Pharisees gave instruction regarding what habits were good and which were bad.

They thought it was OK to cheat parents out of help from their children as long as the children kept giving their money to the synagogue. They said they could tell their parents all their money was dedicated to the LORD and so they didn’t have any to help their parents when they were in need.

They thought that most of the activities of worship should be done in public so people could praise them right away. God said they had their reward already on earth and would get none in heaven.

Here the Pharisees accused Jesus of two sins. HE was accused of being a glutton or eating too much food. Remember that HE fasted at times but the Pharisees fasted twice a week to be seen of men. They thought all truly religious leaders fasted twice a week and they didn’t see Jesus do that regularly. HE did fast forty days and nights before HIS temptation and we don’t hear of them doing it for that long. So HE ate too often for them.

The second accusation they had against Jesus was that He drank too much wine. HIS first miracle was to turn water into wine at a wedding. HE did sit down and drink wine with those who invited HIM to dinner. I believe it is better not to drink strong drink for the testimony of others and to be sure you don’t come under the influence of it. The Bible teaches that being drunk is a sin.

The third accusation against Jesus was that HE was a friend of tax collectors or publicans and sinners. They were a class of people that the Pharisees didn’t want to be around. They were not in their social status group. They were a group of religious leaders who had respect of persons. Jesus didn’t have respect of persons and those who follow HIM should not be a respecter of persons. Any class of people needs to be reached by believers. In India there is a group that is called Untouchables. They are the lowest in the Caste system in India. Those in other classes are not to do anything with them. The Pharisees had a caste system too.

We are not to have a caste system. We are to reach everyone in our world no matter what class. We are to help the poor and rich alike find their spot in the service of the King. We are not here to judge people – we are here to reach people.

CHALLENGE: It is not what people say about us but what the LORD says about us. HE knows our hearts and our actions.

DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers

: 39 Now when the Pharisees which had bidden him saw it, he spoke within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet would have known who and what manner of woman this is that touches him; for she is a sinner. (268 “sinner” [hamartolos] means devoted to sin, not free from sin, pre-eminently sinful, especially wicked, or heathen.)

DEVOTION: I just spoke at a funeral where I taught on the four different types of ground where seeds are planted. The first three grounds were liked to those who are unsaved. There are two grounds that are religious but unsaved: Stony and Thorny. The thorny ground was compared to those who are religious and legalistic. They are the Pharisees in the church. They have a lot of external rules to follow but are not internally changed to please the LORD. These individuals think that they are not sinners.

Jesus was invited to the home of a Pharisee. Remember the Pharisees were the religious leaders of the day. They made all kinds of rules that they called tradition. They were better than those around them in their own eyes. They were not devoted to sin. They thought they were perfect.

Jesus instructed them differently. HE is at a dinner with Pharisees and his disciples. A woman came into the house and washed Jesus feet. She was a woman who they thought was devoted to sin or a heathen. She was not fit to be in a Pharisee’s house. She was not fit to wash Jesus’ feet. The host knew what she was. The people at the feast knew what she was. Do we think that Jesus didn’t know what type of woman she was? HE did.

HE gave a parable to show why she was washing his feet. The parable was about two people who owed a debt to a creditor. One owed a lot and the other less. Jesus asked the question: “Tell ME therefore which of them will love him most?” The Pharisee, Simon, answered “the one forgiven most.” Jesus said it was the right answer.

She was forgiven much. The Pharisees thought they didn’t need forgiveness. Which camp are we in today? Do we appreciate what the LORD has forgiven us for today? How do we show our appreciation? How do we treat those who have sinned much? Do we look down on them like the Pharisees?

We are still people who sin each day. God has forgiven us of our sins. We should sin less, the closer we get to living the Christian life the way we are commanded. However, even we have times when we sin more than others even after we have learned more.

We need to be a forgiving people, if we want the LORD to forgive us and answer our prayers.

CHALLENGE: Help someone who is considered a terrible sinner that has become a follower of Christ. More than likely they are poor and in need of help. Even a bag of groceries would encourage them in the LORD. If you don’t know someone – ask your pastor if he knows a family like that.

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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:

BODY

Chastity (Purity in living)

Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)

Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)

Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)

Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)

SOUL

Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)

Frugality (wise use of resources)

Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)

Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)

Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)

SPIRIT

Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)

Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)

Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)

Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)

Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)

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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:

Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)

Gospel verse 22

God the Father (First person of the Godhead)

God verse 16, 28- 30

HIS people verse 16

God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)

Healing of centurion’s servant verse 2- 10

Jesus verse 3, 4, 6, 9, 19, 22, 40

Lord verse 6, 13, 31

Healing of dead son verse 12

Compassion verse 13

Prophet verse 16, 39

Cured many infirmities and plagues verse 21

Cast out evil spirits verse 21

Cured blindness verse 21, 22

Lame walk verse 22

Lepers are cleansed verse 22

Deaf hear verse 22

Dead are raised verse 22

Poor hear gospel preached verse 22

Son of man verse 34

Friend of publicans and sinners verse 34

Master verse 40

Parable to Simon Peter verse 40- 43

God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)

Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)

Kingdom of God verse 28

Counsel of God verse 30

Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)

Evil spirits – demons – evil angels verse 21

Devil – John accused of having a demon verse 33

Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)

Centurion verse 2- 10

King’s court verse 25

Publicans verse 29, 34

Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)

Evil spirits verse 21

Rejected the counsel of God verse 30

Gluttonous verse 34

Winebibber verse 34

Sinners verse 34, 37, 39

Sin verse 47- 49

Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)

Heal verse 3

Servant verse 3, 10

Great faith verse 9, 50

Compassion verse 13

Glorified God verse 16

Preach the gospel verse 22

Blessed verse 23

Messenger verse 27

Justified verse 29, 35

Baptized verse 29

Wisdom verse 35

Forgive verse 42, 43, 47- 49

Love verse 47

Saved verse 50

Peace verse 50

Israel (Old Testament people of God)

Capernaum verse 1

Elders of the Jews verse 3

Israel verse 9

City of Nain verse 11

God’s people verse 16

Judaea verse 17

Disciples of John verse 18- 24

John verse 18- 24, 33

Prophet verse 26, 28

Messenger verse 27

Least in kingdom of God verse 28

Baptism of John verse 29, 30

Not eating or drinking wine verse 33

Pharisees verse 30, 36, 39

Lawyers verse 30

Woman of the city verse 37- 50

Simon the Pharisee verse 40- 43

Church (New Testament people of God)

Disciples verse 11

Last Things (Future Events)

Kingdom of God verse 28

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QUOTES regarding passage

7:9 I have not found such great faith even in Israel. In Luke’s context the centurion became a symbol of believing Gentiles who stood in contrast to unbelieving Jews, so that what was true in Jesus’ situation became even more true in the Evangelist’s. By adding 8:11–12 at this point (in Luke this appears later in 13:28–29), Matthew heightened this contrast between unbelieving Israel and believing Gentiles. Yet for both Matthew and Luke, this affirmation of the centurion’s faith served as support and encouragement for the acceptance of Gentiles into the church. (Stein, R. H. (1992). Luke (Vol. 24, p. 220). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers)

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2. Centurion (ἑκατοντάρχου). From ἕκατον, a hundred, and ἄρχω, to command. Commander of a hundred men. Mark uses κεντυρίων, a Graecized form of the Latin word centurio. A centuria was originally a division consisting of a hundred things of a kind; and thence came to mean any division, whether consisting of a hundred or not. In military language it meant a division of troops, a company, not necessarily of a hundred, the captain of which was called centurio. The numbers of a century varied from about fifty to a hundred. The Roman legion consisted of ten cohorts or σπεῖραι, bands, as “the Italian band,” of which Cornelius was a centurion (Acts 10:1). The commanders of these cohorts were called chiliarchs, or chief captains (John 18:12, Rev.). Each cohort contained six centuries, or companies, of which the commanders were called centurions. The duty of the centurion was chiefly confined to the regulation of his own corps, and the care of the watch. The badge of his office was the vitis, or vine-stock. He wore a short tunic, and was also known by letters on the crest of his helmet. Dean Howson (“Companions of St. Paul”) remarks on the favorable impression left upon the mind by the officers of the Roman army mentioned in the New Testament, and cites, besides the centurion in this passage, the one at the cross, and Julius, who escorted Paul to Rome. See, further, on Acts 10:1. (Vincent, M. R. (1887). Word studies in the New Testament (Vol. 1, pp. 319–320). New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.)

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The centurion realized that his request was brash and that he really was not worthy to see Jesus (v. 7). Jesus was amazed (ethaumasen; cf. comments on 2:18) at the centurion and said, I have not found such great faith even in Israel. The concept of faith is extremely important throughout chapters 7 and 8. It is vital to believe who Jesus is (i.e., the Messiah) and what He said. The exercise of faith by Gentiles also becomes prominent later in Luke’s book. (Martin, J. A. (1985). Luke. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 222). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)

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But the characteristic that most impressed Jesus was the man’s faith. Twice in the Gospel record we are told that Jesus marveled. Here in Capernaum, He marveled at the faith of a Gentile; and in Nazareth, He marveled at the unbelief of the Jews (Mark 6:6). The only other person Jesus commended for having “great faith” was a Gentile woman whose daughter He delivered from a demon (Matt. 15:28). It is worth noting that in both of these instances, Jesus healed at a distance (see Ps. 107:20; Eph. 2:11–13).

The centurion’s faith certainly was remarkable. After all, he was a Gentile whose background was pagan. He was a Roman soldier, trained to be self-sufficient, and we have no evidence that he had ever heard Jesus preach. Perhaps he heard about Jesus’ healing power from the nobleman whose son Jesus had healed, also at a distance (John 4:46–54). His soldiers may also have brought him reports of the miracles Jesus had performed, for the Romans kept close touch with the events in Jewish life.

The important word in Luke 7:8 is “also.” (It should be in Matt. 8:9 as well, but the kjv omits it for some reason. The nasb has “too” in both places.) The officer saw a parallel between the way he commanded his soldiers and the way Jesus commanded diseases. Both the centurion and Jesus were under authority, and because they were under authority, they had the right to exercise authority. All they had to do was say the word and things happened. What tremendous faith this man exhibited! No wonder Jesus marveled.

If this Roman, with very little spiritual instruction, had that kind of faith in God’s Word, how much greater our faith ought to be! We have an entire Bible to read and study, as well as nearly 2,000 years of church history to encourage us, and yet we are guilty of “no faith” (Mark 4:40) or “little faith” (Matt. 14:31). Our prayer ought to be, “Lord, increase our faith!” (Luke 17:5) (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, pp. 195–196). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)

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A centurion was a captain of one hundred men, in the Roman army. This officer had a servant, a bondsman, whom he loved and who was at the point of death. It is evident that this centurion was a true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. He had heard of Him through his friends and, probably, had listened eagerly to His gracious messages. He had witnessed His works of power and he was convinced that Jesus was more than man. Though himself of a more exalted station in life than Jesus, he nevertheless recognized Christ’s superiority, and so he sent messengers pleading for mercy and help, not arrogantly demanding attention. His faith was a cup of joy pressed to the lips of the blessed One who was despised and rejected by so many whom He sought in love to save.

Jesus immediately started for the centurion’s home, but on the way was met by other messengers, who, speaking on behalf of their soldier friend, said, “Lord trouble not Thyself; for I am not worthy that Thou shouldest enter my house.” Note the difference. The elders said: “He is worthy.” He himself insisted: “I am not worthy!” He was one who had taken his due place of repentance as an unworthy sinner before God. Realizing something of the true nature and character of Jesus he said, “Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto Thee; but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.” As a military man he explained that he could speak with authority and his soldiers would be obedient. Surely Jesus could speak in the same way and rebuke the disease that threatened the life of his servant!

Such an expression of trustful confidence gladdened the heart of our Lord. He marvelled at the man’s simple faith—a faith such as He had not found in Israel. Nothing glorifies God like confidence in His Word. In response to the centurion’s faith, the apparently dying man was instantly restored. This was faith indeed! He did not feel that the personal presence and touch of Jesus was needed to heal the dying servant. He recognized the fact that “where the word of a king is, there is power” (Eccles. 8:4), and he was sure that Jesus had that authority, and that a word from Him would bring health to the one who was so ill.

Faith’s reward is sure. When the messengers returned to the house, they found the servant well, and inquiry proved that the change for the better had come at the very time when Jesus spoke the word (Matt. 8:13). (Ironside, H. A. (1947). Addresses on the Gospel of Luke. (pp. 216–217). Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers.)

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Ver. 9. When Jesus heard these things, &c.] Which the friends of the centurion related from him, and in his name; or which he himself delivered, coming up to Christ after them: he marvelled at him; at his great humility and modesty, and the strength of his faith, and his manner of reasoning: and turned him about; from him, and his friends: and said unto the people that followed him; from the mount to Capernaum, and as he was passing along the streets: I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel; or among the Israelites, as the Syriac; or among the children of Israel, as the Persic; or in all Israel, as the Arabic version reads, as he did in this single Gentile; see the note on Matt. 8:10. (Gill, J. (1809). An Exposition of the New Testament (Vol. 1, p. 567). London: Mathews and Leigh.)

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FROM MY READING:

Old Testament WORDS for Today by Warren W. Wiersbe

The purpose of Christian life and service is to magnify God’s glory, no matter what the circumstances might be. (p. 166)

Ministry requires believers who will take their stand, regardless of personal weakness or the opposition of the enemy. (p. 167)

This meant courageously delivering because of the consequences. (p. 167)

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1 Thessalonians 2

Paul’s method of ministry is described. He communicates the Gospel with love and integrity.
INSIGHT

Whenever the message of your words and the message of your actions conflict, the message of your actions will always win out. You may speak gruffly but act kindly, and you will be known as having a hard shell but being a “softie” on the inside. Or you may speak well but act selfishly, and you will be known as a hypocrite. There is no accusation leveled at Christians more consistently than that of hypocrisy. Our lives must support the reality of the Gospel, or the Gospel will not be taken seriously and we will be resented. Paul writes: “We were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives” (v. 8). Unless we are willing to impart our lives in ministry, our words will mean little. (Quiet Walk)

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TRUTH AND ERROR

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 1 Corinthians 2:12
An important reason for testing and trying the spirits is the evidence provided by the long history of the church of the havoc that has often been wrought in the church because people would not try and test the spirits, because they said, “I have received such a wonderful experience, and therefore I must be right.” What we are concerned about is not a matter of sincerity and honesty—we are concerned about truth and error, and truth and error have to be defined.
Is this something only for theologians and professors of theology or for ministers and leaders? Is it only for certain people? The answer is that it is for all. “Beloved”—he is writing to the average church member—“believe not every spirit, but try the spirits” (1 John 4:1). Later on he says, “Ye are of God, little children” (verse 4), and I think he used the expression “little children” deliberately—“you, the ordinary church members, little children—you hear us because you are of the truth.”
It is the duty and the business of everyone examining the name Christian to be in a position to try and examine and test the spirits. Indeed, we are given the power to do so—“greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). We have been given this capacity by God through the Holy Spirit; the Spirit dwells in us, and therefore we have this power of discrimination and understanding. The apostle Paul tells us that at great length in 1 Corinthians. For example, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God” (1 Corinthians 2:12). That is it!
A Thought to Ponder: We are concerned about truth and error, and truth and error have to be defined.

(From The Love of God, pp.18-20, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

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Guard Your Heart
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)
The Hebrew word nasar, here translated “keep,” carries the strong idea of protection or guarding. It is used 10 times in Psalm 119 to stress the necessity of “keeping” (guarding, protecting) the various kinds of instructions in God’s Word: “testimonies, statutes, laws, precepts, and commandments.” Everything written down by God is worth guarding.
In our text, the importance of guarding our hearts is emphasized since it is the source for the “issues of life.” Jesus said, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh” (Luke 6:45). Our “heart” is indeed the key to much in our life.
It is no wonder that the first commandment of all is to “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength” (Mark 12:30).
Here are a few important principles that we must guard if our hearts are to produce the good “issues of life.”

If we seek God with all our hearts, we will find Him (Deuteronomy 4:29; Jeremiah 29:13).
We must believe with our hearts if we are to be saved (Romans 10:9; Hebrews 11:6).
If we hold on to iniquity in our hearts, God will not hear our prayers (Psalm 66:18; Isaiah 59:1-2).
If our hearts do not condemn us, then we will have confidence with God (1 John 3:21).

“He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart” (Psalm 15:2) will live forever with the Lord of heaven and earth. (HMM III, The Institute for Creation Research)

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Compassion has been defined as “your pain in my heart.” What pain our Lord must have felt as He ministered from place to place! In this chapter alone, Jesus is confronted with the miseries of a dying servant, a grieving widow, a perplexed prophet, and a repentant sinner, and He helped them all. If a “hardship committee” had been asked to decide which of these persons was “deserving,” we wonder who would have been chosen.

Jesus helped them all, because compassion does not measure: it ministers. Bernard of Chairvaux said, “Justice seeks out only the merits of the case, but pity only regards the need” It was compassion, not justice that motivated the Great Physician who came “not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32). Let’s meet these four hurting people and see our Lord’s responses to their needs. (The Bible Exposition Commentary by Warren W. Wiersbe)

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DAILY HOPE

Today’s Scripture

Numbers 23-25

Temptations come in many forms. It can be flattery, seduction, promotion, or finances to name just a few. Often it comes in something that looks harmless and perhaps as simple as not telling the entire truth when asked a question or taking a few minutes more for lunch than is allotted.

Israel was on the edge of the country of Moab, the size and military strength of the Israeli nation was a great concern for king Balak. Sending for Balaam is essentially Balak’s acknowledgement of a God greater than the one he worshipped. His desire was to tempt Balaam to deliver a prophecy for profit. The prophet Balaam had already spoken to the king’s messengers, stating he could only speak what the Lord commanded him and nothing else.

When Balaam arrived before the king, he again states that he can only speak what the Lord puts in his mouth (22:38). King Balak demands his assistance and seeks to have anathema put on the people of Israel. Five times Balak attempts to have a curse placed upon the nation of Israel and five times Balaam blesses Israel instead (Numbers 23: 1-12; 13-24; 25- 24:9; 10-19; 20-25).

Although the story ends here with Balaam leaving and returning to his home, the New Testament commentary concerning Balaam reveals that he did assist Balak in leading the people of Israel into temptation and sin. 2 Peter 2:15 and Revelation 2:14 state that Balaam taught Balak how to lead the people of God astray through idol worship and sexual immorality.

In chapter 25 we see the results of this instruction as Moses is directed to discipline the people of God after they had begun to worship Baal of Peor and “play the harlot with the daughters of Moab (25:1).” The sad ending of this failure was the death of 24,000 Israelites and hostility between the nation of Israel and the Midianites from that time forward.

One form of temptation can be avoided while another becomes a stumbling block and a deterrent to spiritual growth. We will face many forms of temptation that will require us to be wise in our speech and actions. Read 1 Corinthians 10 and note the details that Paul states how the Israelites were tempted. In verse 11 Paul then states, “Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it (1 Corinthians 10:11-12). May we be wise and flee when the appearance of temptation comes before us today!

In Expectant Hope, Pastor Miller

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