“THERE WAS A RICH MAN!”

 Luke 16:19-31                    (ESV)

The Rich Man and Lazarus

“[19] ““THERE WAS A RICH MAN” who was clothed in purple and fine linen and WHO FEASTED SUMPTUOUSLY EVERY DAY. [20] And at “his gate” was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, [21] WHO DESIRED TO BE FED WITH WHAT FELL FROM THE RICH MAN’S TABLE. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. [22] The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, [23] and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. [24] And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ [25] But Abraham said, ‘Child, REMEMBER that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. [26] And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ [27] And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house—[28] for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ [29] But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ [30] And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ [31] He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’””

The “rich man” wasn’t called “rich” when he was in Hades……..FOR ETERNITY!!!

If JESUS was speaking about you in the story above, which person would you prefer to be???

“HE OPENED THEIR MINDS!”

 Luke 24:45                    (ESV)

“[45] Then “HE (JESUS) OPENED THEIR MINDS” to understand the Scriptures,”

Recently I wrote about JESUS talking with Cleopas and his friend on the road to Emmaus and how JESUS OPENED their EYES to SEE what they previously couldn’t identify.  

This passage of Scripture is just a few verses later and “HE (JESUS) OPENED THEIR MINDS” to UNDERSTAND the Scriptures!  The MINDS that JESUS OPENED were of HIS DISCIPLES, the eleven who were left after Judas hanged himself.  

In Luke 24:44, Scripture records “Then HE (JESUS) said to them (the Disciples), “These are MY words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that EVERYTHING WRITTEN ABOUT ME in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms MUST BE FULFILLED!”  In THE WORD (John 1:1), JESUS KNEW EVERYTHING that was WRITTEN about HIM, and HE HAD TO fulfill every one of them!!  

“HE (JESUS) OPENED THEIR MINDS” to FULLY UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING WRITTEN in SCRIPTURE!!   When the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE OPENED THE MINDS of HIS Disciples, HE bestowed upon them a gift that is indescribable!!  Nothing was done out of chance or circumstance……”HE (JESUS) OPENED THEIR MINDS”!!!!

“HE VANISHED FROM THEIR SIGHT!”

 Luke 24:31                    (ESV)

“[31] And their EYES were OPENED, and they recognized HIM. And “HE VANISHED FROM THEIR SIGHT”.”

Briefly this morning, in the Scripture above, JESUS was UNKNOWINGLY walking with two followers of HIS on the road to Emmaus.  They had NO IDEA that JESUS was alive, and certainly not operating in such a manner that HIS CRUCIFIXION was only a few days prior??

There are times when our preferred timing doesn’t line up with the timing of our CREATOR!  Cleopas and his fellow disciple were speaking about the event that happened a few days prior, but JESUS HELD their recognition of HIM for a period of time.  One might think that people who were following JESUS would recognize HIM, especially after walking and talking with HIM as they had done.  

The one verse says that “…their EYES were OPENED, and they recognized HIM. And “HE VANISHED FROM THEIR SIGHT”.”  It wasn’t on the disciples timeline that their EYES were OPENED, rather it must have been on JESUS’ timing?!?  

Our finite minds are incapable of SEEING what GOD has ordained for us to COMPREHEND until HE IS READY for us to SEE it!   The remaining 11 original Disciples had yet to SEE the post-crucifixion JESUS, but Cleopas and friend were permitted to briefly recognize HIM!  

My minuscule BRAIN DAMAGED mind may not be able to comprehend some things, but when my EYES have been OPENED by THE CREATOR, whatever HE has HIDDEN from me WILL BE SEEN!  “HE VANISHED FROM THEIR SIGHT” must have been for GODS GLORY, whether they approved or not!!!

“THE CHRIST SHOULD SUFFER!”

 Luke 24:25-27                    (ESV)

[25] And HE (JESUS) said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! [26] WAS IS NOT NECESSARY that “THE CHRIST SHOULD SUFFER” these things and enter into HIS glory?” [27] And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, HE interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning HIMSELF.”

JESUS, the CHRIST made an unexpected and certainly an unannounced appearance to Cleopas (Luke 24:18) and another follower of THE WAY on the road to Emmaus.  To my knowledge, there wasn’t a strong indication that Cleopas had a strong enough FAITH to make a visit from JESUS after HE had been crucified?  He was CHOSEN, along with a friend, to have THE CHRIST walk casually on the road to Emmaus with them and discuss the events of the previous days.  But why???

Why did JESUS even come to earth to pay the unimaginable price for my salvation?  Of course, I wasn’t the only one who needed SALVATION!  We ALL require a SAVIOR!!  We need a SAVIOR because GOD is too pure to tolerate sinfulness, as is stated in Habakkuk 1:13!  

WAS IT NOT NECESSARY for GOD IN THE FLESH to SUFFER through HIS EARTHLY ministry??  “THE CHRIST SHOULD SUFFER” was a sacrifice that ONLY JESUS could satisfy.  Humanity’s ONLY HOPE of spending eternity with GOD was to have our sins COVERED BY THE BLOOD of our LORD and SAVIOR!  My wickedness was ONLY PAID for by having the SON of GOD be offered as a PERFECT SACRIFICE!!!  Cleopas wasn’t the only person whose EYES were OPENED to SEE that “THE CHRIST SHOULD SUFFER” is THE ONLY WAY any of us can gain ETERNAL LIFE!!!

“WHAT GOD HAS PREPARED!”

 1 Corinthians 2:9                    (ESV)

[9] But, as it is written, 

    “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,

        nor the heart of man imagined,

    “WHAT GOD HAS PREPARED” for those who love HIM”—“.

Being awakened with “sense of dread” in the middle of the night could be a sign of “the enemy” working overtime to derail the PLAN that GOD has for your life??  Imagine if you will the adversary of GOD ALMIGHTY having a chance to cause “fear and doubt” to be used to rob one of the BLESSINGS that GOD has in store for us??  

The Apostle Paul wrote in his first letter to the church in Corinth a PROMISE written in Isaiah 64:4 that “…no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, “WHAT GOD HAS PREPARED” for those who love HIM”!  Now Paul experienced some rather trying and horrible things, BUT GOD delivered him through them, and he even was given the opportunity to write a tremendous amount of the New Testament GLORIFYING his LORD!  

“The enemy” desires for us to run away from the BLESSINGS that GOD has PREPARED for us, but GOD HAS A PLAN for our future that WILL draw HONOR and GLORY to JESUS!!  We need to KEEP OUR FOCUS on “WHAT GOD HAS PREPARED” and not worry with any difficulties, for OUR CREATOR is the ONE WHO is drawing GLORY from our lives…….not us!!!

“IDENTIFYING THE ENEMY!”

 Ephesians 6:12                    (ESV)

“For WE DO NOT wrestle against flesh and blood, but AGAINST the rulers, AGAINST the authorities, AGAINST the cosmic powers over this present darkness, AGAINST the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

“IDENTIFYING THE ENEMY” could be the most effective way to bring about the VICTORY over him and his deception.  “This world” operates at such a high speed that it is difficult to SLOW DOWN, to BE STILL AND KNOW THAT HE IS GOD!  WE DO NOT TAKE THE TIME to listen to GOD for guidance and direction, to be ASSURED that we are walking in the path that GOD has for us!

In the ONE VERSE of Scripture above there are FOUR TIMES that AGAINST is used by the Apostle Paul.  “The enemy” is described in 2 Corinthians 11:14 as “No wonder, for even Satan DISGUISES himself as an angel of light.”!!  He is so vile and cunning that he will make us think that we are following JESUS CHRIST when in fact we are bogged down in “the enemy’s” deceptive works!  

From personal experience, GOD IS ABLE to SLOW US DOWN if HE cannot get our attention any other way!!  Psalm 37:7 (ESV) PLAINLY says “BE STILL BEFORE THE LORD and WAIT PATIENTLY for HIM; FRET NOT YOURSELF over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!”

Remembering where I “have been” is something that I am FINALLY understanding at 65 years of age!!  “IDENTIFYING THE ENEMY” is paramount to understanding that we SHOULD NOT do what “the enemy” is suggesting that we do. We need to become EXTREMELY adept at “IDENTIFYING THE ENEMY” because he is MASTER DECEIVER!!!

“Ephesians 6:12”

 Ephesians 6:12                    (ESV)

“For WE DO NOT wrestle against flesh and blood, but AGAINST the rulers, AGAINST the authorities, AGAINST the cosmic powers over this present darkness, AGAINST the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

“GOD IS ABLE!”

 2 Corinthians 9:8                    (ESV)

“And “GOD IS ABLE” to make ALL GRACE ABOUND TO YOU, so that having ALL SUFFICIENCY in ALL THINGS at ALL TIMES, YOU MAY ABOUND IN EVERY GOOD WORK.”

Briefly this morning, “GOD IS ABLE” to perform works that exceed ANYTHING our human minds could ever imagine!  Ephesians 3:20-21 says “Now to HIM WHO IS ABLE to do FAR MORE ABUNDANTLY than ALL WE ASK OR THINK, according to THE POWER AT WORK WITHIN US, to HIM be GLORY in the church and in CHRIST JESUS throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”  

It is my prayer that I will remove myself from receiving accolades and allow EVERYONE to SEE that “GOD IS ABLE” to work unimaginable things through unclean, yet obedient people for HIS GLORY!!!  Understanding why HE OPERATES the way HE does is something for someone more wise than I am.  But I have experienced HIS HANDIWORK, and I can testify that “GOD IS ABLE”!!!

“MY SHEEP!”

 John 10:27-28                    (ESV)

“”MY SHEEP” hear MY VOICE, and I KNOW THEM, and THEY FOLLOW ME. I give them ETERNAL LIFE, and THEY WILL NEVER PERISH, and NO ONE WILL SNATCH THEM OUT OF MY HAND.”

Why did GOD choose sheep as the animal to represent HIS CHOSEN, the people GOD CHOSE before the foundation of the world (Ephesians1:4)?  Sheep are known for their dependence on their Shepherd.  Sheep, for the most part, are recognized as an animal that requires almost constant oversight and they will walk into danger with no regard, almost oblivious to obvious consequences!!!

In the two verses of Scripture above, JESUS says “MY SHEEP” in a very loving and caring manner.  HE KNEW that King David was a “man after HIS OWN HEART”, yet he slept with a woman who was married to someone else, impregnated her, had her husband killed, then married her and thei child their “relationship” died shortly after birth!  Yet he was CHOSEN by GOD to be in the lineage of JESUS (Matthew 1:6)!  King David would probably be one of the greatest examples of being CHOSEN in the Old Testament, but he didn’t always do what was right in the EYES OF GOD!!!

The Apostle Paul was a murderer of BELIEVERS who were in “The Way” (Acts 9:2)!  The Apostle Peter denied even knowing JESUS before HIS crucifixion.  This humble servant has been one of the worst examples of being CHOSEN by the CREATOR!  Yet HE was speaking about all of HIS CHOSEN when HE us “MY SHEEP”!!!  I might be as dumb as a lost, wondering animal, but thank JESUS i am ONE of “MY SHEEP”, and NO ONE is able to change that!!!

“GOD IS ABLE!”

 2 Corinthians 9:8                    (ESV)

“And GOD IS ABLE to make ALL GRACE ABOUND TO YOU, so that having ALL SUFFICIENCY in ALL THINGS at ALL TIMES, YOU MAY ABOUND IN EVERY GOOD WORK.”

“WHEN NO ONE CAN WORK!”

 John 9:1-7                    (ESV)

JESUS Heals a Man Born Blind

“[1] As HE passed by, HE saw A MAN BLIND FROM BIRTH. [2] And HIS disciples asked HIM, “RABBI, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” [3] JESUS answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the WORKS of GOD might be displayed in him. [4] We must work the works of HIM WHO sent me while it is day; night is coming, “WHEN NO ONE CAN WORK”. [5] As long as I AM IN the world, I AM the light of the world.” [6] Having said these things, HE spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then HE anointed the man’s eyes with the mud [7] and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and CAME BACK SEEING.”

It is very telling to WE WHO have been CHOSEN to understand that when JESUS changes a life, THINGS will never be the same!  

There are certain things/events that leave an impression on some people.  Others hardly ever notice the same.  When JESUS gave SIGHT to a man who was born with no sight, it might have occurred where it went unrecognized by those outside of the surrounding area of Israel?  But when the blind man CAME BACK SEEING, his world was completely changed!!!

The verse of Scripture that I feel is imperative to NOT read over though is verse four which says “We must work the works of HIM WHO sent me while it is day; night is coming, “WHEN NO ONE CAN WORK”.  

Humanity has NO IDEA how much time each of us have before THE LORD calls us HOME!  I should EXPLICITLY understand that better than anyone!  Being placed into a medically-induced coma should give an unmistakable reminder that WE ARE NOT IN CONTROL…….OF ANYTHING!!  Being RESTORED to great health is such a BLESSING!  But when I read this passage of Scripture and SEE “WHEN NO ONE CAN WORK” I am able to SEE things that others might miss???

Without a doubt, there IS coming a time “WHEN NO ONE CAN WORK” to make a better life for themselves!  My time that remains could be today, or I might live to be an older man!  My life will be better spent acknowledging that NONE OF US is guaranteed tomorrow!!  We need to FULLY UNDERSTAND that there is coming a time “WHEN NO ONE CAN WORK”!!!  Are your labors going to be in vain???

“TO FULFILL THE SCRIPTURE!”

 John 19:28-30                    (ESV)

The Death of JESUS 

“[28] After this, JESUS, knowing that ALL WAS NOW FINISHED, said (“TO FULFILL THE SCRIPTURE”), “I thirst.” [29] A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. [30] When JESUS had received the sour wine, HE said, “IT IS FINISHED”, and HE bowed HIS head AND GAVE UP HIS SPIRIT.”

For those who have been exposed to the TRUTH contained in the SCRIPTURE, acknowledging that JESUS was/is THE WORD (John 1:1), and JESUS was with GOD from the beginning!!  With this in mind, JESUS had FULL AUTHORITY and TRUTH (John 14:6) to speak for THE FATHER as THEY were ONE!

Since JESUS was THE WORD and TRUTH, even in death HE HAD “TO FULFILL THE SCRIPTURE”!  Doing ANYTHING short of fulfilling every “jot and tittle” of what had been prophesied would have “fallen short” of HIS PERFECTION.  

It is IMPERATIVE to grasp that JESUS (GOD IN THE FLESH), even in the most excruciating death imaginable, HE was required to FULFILL ALL OF SCRIPTURE!  The last thing HE did before HE yielded HIS LIFE was drink a mixture from a hyssop branch, a reportedly bitter drink that was spoken of by King David in Psalm 51.  HE drank “the hyssop” and then said “IT IS FINISHED”, and HE bowed HIS head AND GAVE UP HIS SPIRIT”!

JESUS was mandated by SCRIPTURE to suffer ALL of the PAIN and SUFFERING “TO FULFILL THE SCRIPTURE”!  HIS PLAN didn’t allow HIM to escape, even when the final “sentence” would be the last thing HE performed before HIS death!  HE is THE WORD, and “TO FULFILL THE SCRIPTURE” was WHO HE WAS!!!  HE lives in me, so do I have any choice???

“DO NOT!”

 Job 1:6-12                    (ESV)

Satan Allowed to Test Job

“[6] Now there was a day when the sons of GOD came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. [7] The LORD said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” [8] And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered MY servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears GOD and turns away from evil?” [9] Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear GOD for no reason? [10] Have YOU not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? YOU have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. [11] But stretch out YOUR hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse YOU to YOUR face.” [12] And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him “DO NOT” stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.”

The story of Job isn’t a “fairy tale”!! It is TRUTH written about Job’s FAITH in the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE!  Job KNEW that GOD WAS IN CONTROL, but he also was certainly about to find out that GOD created Satan to be used to GLORIFY HIS SON, especially when the so-called “odds” were stacked against HIM!!!

Making sure that the TRUTH is plainly seen by more than me, Satan ONLY has POWER that is bequeathed to him by ALMIGHTY GOD!  Satan asked in verse ten above “Have YOU not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side?”  Satan KNEW that Job has been DIVINELY protected previously, so he requested “leniency” from the THRONE!  And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him “DO NOT” stretch out your hand” in verse twelve!  The LORD KNEW that Job would pass the test, and HE wanted to prove HIS SOVEREIGNTY to Job and anyone else watching, including Satan!!!

In Matthew 19:26 GOD IN THE FLESH says “With man this is impossible, but with GOD ALL THINGS are possible.”  Yes, this same JESUS was around back when Job was being tested.  HEAVEN KNEW that Job would “pass” his test!  Satan surely knows that he is a defeated foe and that his fate has been sealed when CHRIST overcame death, hell and the grave!  “The enemy” also knew that when GOD said “”DO NOT” stretch out your hand” against Job that Job was safe and secure from him.  When GOD says “DO NOT”, the issue has been settled, and that’s saying everything that needs to be said!!!

“LET EVERY PERSON BE QUICK”!

 James 1:19-21                    (ESV)

Hearing and Doing the Word

“[19] Know this, my beloved brothers: “LET EVERY PERSON BE QUICK” TO HEAR, SLOW to speak, SLOW to anger; [20] FOR THE ANGER OF MAN DOES NOT PRODUCE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD. [21] Therefore PUT AWAY all filthiness and rampant wickedness AND RECEIVE with meekness THE IMPLANTED WORD, WHICH IS ABLE TO SAVE YOUR SOULS.”

Humanity as a whole seems to always be interested in “coming in first” at everything we do?  I highlighted the words “LET EVERY PERSON BE QUICK” because that is the angle most people tend to operate.  Just “doing” something seems to be the “modus operandi” that “this world” would have us defaulting to……but is that what THE IMPLANTED WORD would have us be doing???

THE IMPLANTED WORD are extremely powerful and transformative WORDS!  Capitalizing words that refer to DIVINITY is a common practice for me.  THE IMPLANTED WORD had to have been referring to JESUS because WHO else IS ABLE TO SAVE YOUR SOULS???  

James, the half-brother of JESUS, wrote these words having grown up living around the SON OF GOD, so he would have an inside track of identifying the faults of JESUS???  But when James says “LET EVERY PERSON BE QUICK” he immediately says TO HEAR!  He doesn’t say  “LET EVERY PERSON BE QUICK” to conquer foes or win a race, BUT TO HEAR FROM JESUS!!!

BELIEVERS that JESUS IS GOD IN THE FLESH are NOT just another piece of the human race.  We are CHOSEN to spread the GOOD NEWS to a lost and dying world. We ALL have the distractions of life to deal with and overcome, but THE MAIN THING that we are CALLED to do is “LET EVERY PERSON BE QUICK” TO HEAR from JESUS CHRIST!!!!

From Bishop Robert E Smith, St!

 From Bishop Robert E. Smith Sr.!

“Be ready (Matt.24:44) and worthy (Luke 21:36).  It will be a quick departure (Rev. 22:7,12,20).  Don't get left behind (Luke 17:34-36).”

“WHO MADE THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH!”

 Acts 14:15-18                    (ESV)

“[15] “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living GOD, “WHO MADE THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH” and the sea and all that is in them. [16] In past generations HE allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. [17] Yet HE did not leave HIMSELF without witness, for HE did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” [18] Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.”

Humanity can be a fickle CREATION, changing our minds about our CREATORS goodness versus HIS JUDGEMENT based solely upon what “lense” we view the circumstances of our “trials”.  I recently viewed a video of a nice rain being received from a drought area, apparently from a place that needed rainfall?  I have also observed torrential rainfall in a flooded area that seemed to have more precipitation than the area could handle at the time?  

But humanity, in all of its supposed glory, has NO business trying to be a god by making it rain, or stay dry, according to our own wishes!  We do not have the level of intelligence to satisfy our needs, or even our desires.  We are not able to SEE what lies ahead of us, not like the ONE “WHO MADE THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH” does!  

While we may attempt to live our lives in a manner that draws honor and glory to our CREATOR, we don’t have the intelligence or wherewithal to prepare for our daily lives.  Can anyone plan for a heart attack?  How about a Brain Hemorrhage?  However, I can SEE how GOD used BOTH of these “trials” to display to HIS servant that HE ALONE was in CONTROL of this world and its trials!!!   

The CREATED must remember that GOD IN HEAVEN is the ONE WHO CREATED us, and NOT we ourselves!  HE “WHO MADE THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH” is still capable of changing hearts and minds of people, and HE doesn’t have to WAIT for the obedience of HIS CHOSEN!  In Revelation 20:6, Scripture records “Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of GOD and of CHRIST, AND THEY WILL REIGN WITH HIM FOR A THOUSAND YEARS!!!  We, HIS CHOSEN, and the ONE “WHO MADE THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH” will CELEBRATE HIS VICTORY as HE SEES fit!!!