King James Bible Study – [And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. – Mark 8:34]
Date: Saturday, November 02, 2024
Chapters: Matthew Chapters 20-21
Message: In God We Trust
Hello My Friend,
Have you ever studied what is imprinted on a penny? If you are in the US then the head of the penny shows Abraham Lincoln, and around the edge you will see, “In God we trust”. In fact, all of the money in the US has that same imprint on all its currency. Since the US is no longer a Christian nation many have attempted to have the phrase removed, but so far have failed. By the way, did you know that there is a call out to all Christians to pray for America at 6PM every day this weekend in lieu of the upcoming election? We only have a small window in which we can turn our nations around, but it can be done if we all came together.
[Matthew 21:21-22 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. 22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.]
Many people have given up on America as well as other once Christian nations who have fallen wayside to Satan’s deception, but I do not believe that it is all over yet as there is a revival taking place. Now, a penny may not seem very valuable to us, in fact, it costs more to produce one than what it is actually worth, but if you start collecting them they do add up and can become quite useful. Think about each and every soul that walks this earth may not seem like much, but they are quite valuable, in fact, so valuable that Christ gave His life for them all. As we continue in the reading of the Gospels, Matthew. gives his account of what happened when Jesus arrives in Jerusalem on a donkey, but before He did that Jesus speaks a parable to the people in regards to the kingdom of heaven.
[Matthew 20:1-4 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. 2 And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.]
[a man that is an householder,] The householder refers to God, the Father, who is the master of His family, and Jesus, being the whole family of God, in heaven and on earth to all God’s children in the household of the Gospel faith. Meaning, all believers of Christ are all joint-heirs with Him in the Kingdom of God, [Romans 8:14-17 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.]
[went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.] So, God, sent laborers in the form of prophets, priests, and other Holy Spirit filled men and women to bring others into the family until His Son would come and then He would pay the price that would bring all believers into His kingdom, [1 Corinthians 7:23-24 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. 24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.]
A servant or laborer of men are those who trust in the world or religion rather than Christ to get them through this life and while no decent human being wants to end up in hell, they will tell you that their “good works” will send them to heaven. On the other hand, those who are trusting Christ as their Saviour are becoming too comfortable in their salvation so much so that they are not working as they ought to be. As Jesus continues the parable He points this out.
[Matthew 20:6-9 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? 7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. 8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. 9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.]
[Why stand ye here all the day idle?] I think one of the hardest things for me to do is sit around, I can only sit still for so long before I start getting antsy. An idle Christian gets nowhere with God, they may be holding on to their salvation by the thread their faith, but they lose out on so much. And believe it or not, a busy Christian is just as problematic as an idle one, they lose out as well because they are too busy to pay attention to things around them.
[Luke 21:34-36 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.]
[Call the labourers, and give them their hire,] So, at the end of the day, those who worked for hours as well as those who only worked one hour received that same pay. Well, of course, the ones who were there for eight hours were not too happy that those who only worked an hour got the same pay, [Matthew 20:10-12 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. 11 And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, 12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.]
[thou hast made them equal unto us,] In our human perspective I can see where they are coming from, but there were two things that they needed to understand, one; they all agreed to work the whole day for a penny and two; they were all laborers and in fact all the same. This is why Jesus ended the parable with that very answer, [Matthew 20:13-16 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? 14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? 16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.]
[didst not thou agree with me for a penny?] Think about what Jesus is referring to here, God, has determined that there is only one payment acceptable for sin, and that is the sinless sacrifice of His Son. Regardless if we were saved at an early age or just today, the same payment is required and that is hell. However, Jesus, purchased salvation on the cross for all, but God, will only grant the gift of eternal life to those who accept His Son, [Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.]
Our greatest work for God is not in how much time we spend in serving Him, it is whether or not we have received which is right, and that would be Christ Himself. This is God’s decision, since He is the Creator of our souls, He will do what He will with what is His. Now, in this case, Jesus, was referring to the Pharisees and Scribes, and how they thought all their “good” works were getting them into heaven. Religion, will never get you into heaven, but it will get you a one way ticket to hell as there is no amount of works that will get you there on your own. Now, Matthew, also gives an account to the conversation that Jesus had as He foretold of His crucifixion and John and James seeking to sit next to Jesus on His throne in the kingdom.
[Matthew 20:18-22 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, 19 And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again. 20 Then came to him the mother of Zebedee’s children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. 21 And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. 22 But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.]
[Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup…and to be baptized] The reason Jesus even asks this question is because one; there is no actual throne in the kingdom of heaven, and two; in order for one to be in the kingdom they must be wiling to be baptized as Jesus was, referring to the Holy Spirit upon ones profession of their faith. While I do not think that any of the disciples fully understood what Jesus was talking about at that time. Nevertheless, Jesus, confirms that they will be, but only God decides who sits next to Him.
[Matthew 20:23-26 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. 24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. 25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;]
[but to sit on my right hand…it is prepared of my Father.] In other words, this is God’s Kingdom and He will do what He will at His pleasure, with whomever He chooses, signifying, that eternal life is the kingdom and has been prepared by God, from the foundation of the world, and is not for anybody, and every person, but only those whom come to Him through His Son, [Ephesians 1:4-7 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;]
Now, we are getting to the events that took place prior to Christ’s crucifixion, less than one week before Christ would be hung on the cross for us, He did not walk into Jerusalem, He rode into it riding on a donkey, of all things.
[Matthew 21:1-5 And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, 2 Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. 3 And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. 4 All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.]
[meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.] It was customary for a king to ride into town riding on a donkey as it signified both honor and humility by showing them that He was not above them. Matthew, accounts that there were people there who had no idea who Jesus was.
[Matthew 21:8-11 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. 9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. 10 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? 11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.]
[This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.] This reminds me of what Jesus said, [Matthew 11:9-11 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.]
What Christ said concerning John, was not only for his praise, but for the people’s profit. John, was a prime example of a perfect minister, dying to himself, yet he was not imperfect. Therefore, his account was merely one of faith, he was never given the opportunity to be baptized with the Holy Spirit because he died before Christ’s passion. And speaking of John, the Baptist, as Jesus was in the Temple, the chief priests and elders tried to challenge His authority, to which Jesus gave them something to think about.
[Matthew 21:23-27 And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? 24 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him? 26 But if we shall say, Of men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet. 27 And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.]
[And they reasoned with themselves,] You see, both the world and religion overthinks things that has nothing to do with God. When Jesus asked this question it was with legitimate reason, the people of the town knew John very well, and by their getting baptized they acknowledged that they were no longer trusting in their own works, but their faith in Jesus. To paraphrase the question, Jesus asked them, “Who sent John to preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, a doctrine the world had never heard of before?” Well, they could not answer because they knew that no matter how they answered they would be exposed as either the deceivers that they were, [Romans 16:17-18 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.]
God, does not force anyone to receive His Son, if we choose to accept Him, then our future lies within Him. However, if we choose to deny Him, then that is our future lies with Satan’s. God, never stops urging the lost to find His Son, but mercy does run out for those who reject Him. Jesus, explains this through yet another parable about a vineyard.
[Matthew 21:28-32 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. 29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. 30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. 31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.]
[when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe] It is hard for those who base their salvation on their works to believe in the simplicity of the Gospel. First, they are too proud to even admit they are sinners, and second, they cannot trust that one man alone can save them from their sin. It is easier for those who knowingly live in sin to come to Him because they know they need Jesus. Most of the Jews think of themselves as above everyone else, believing they are automatically are part of the Kingdom of God because they are Jews, which led Jesus to speak another parable.
[Matthew 21:33,35,37-40 Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: 35 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. 37 But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. 38 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. 39 And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. 40 When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?]
[come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.] Religion, may not intend to kill Jesus, but that is exactly what they are doing when they try to use any other means to get into the Kingdom of God except through the Gospel of Christ. This includes religions that proclaim Christ, but do not believe in the simple Gospel, [Hebrews 6:4-6 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.]
In other words, if anyone truly believes in the Gospel of Christ and that He alone is the only way to the Kingdom of God, then the Holy Spirit will be in that person, but if they have not then they are indeed crucifying Christ all over again. You see, the chief priests and elders knew the Scriptures, but came up with their own books for the people who trusted them to “know how to worship God”. Of course, they responded like anyone else would to that question.
[Matthew 21:41-46 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons. 42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? 43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. 44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder. 45 And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them. 46 But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.]
[The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head] Jesus, was referring to this passage, [Psalms 118:22-24 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. 23 This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. 24 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.]
Christ does not mince words, but applies the parable with merciless power. The Jews were the chosen builders of the spiritual temple of God. But one condition of their continuing in the work was the acceptance of the stone which was selected by God to be the headstone of the corner, hence the Messiah, and none other than Christ Himself. Christ, has become the corner-stone of the New Testament Church, the foundation of the great spiritual structure which will be completed on the last day. All who put their trust in Christ, will be a part of this great kingdom.
[Ephesians 2:19-22 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [Matthew 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.]
Today’s Prayer: Jesus, Thank You, again for paying the debt that I could not pay for my sin. When I trusted You, and admitted that I am a sinner, understood that hell is the price for my sin, and that You died a sinless death to save me that was when I was baptized with the baptism that You were baptized with. Now, the work that I do for you, is to give honor and glory for what You did for me. I know I mess up, nevertheless, You are faithful and just to forgive me when I come to You, confessing my sin. Lord, I am Your witness of what a blessing it is to be a minister of Your truths. Lead me and guide me, give me Your power, mercy, grace, and protection as I serve You until You bring me home. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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