My beloveds, I pray that this little note finds you living in His favor. As for me, I was blessed this weekend with a visit from Barb S. (PBM editor). In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus covers visiting prisoners. God has many times put it on my heart to cover this subject, but I don’t know if I am the right messenger. I ask, “Lord, will they get past me and see you? Will they hear your message? Will they set down their bias and respond to Christ’s call to love?”
I want to make this clear, loud and clear. This is not about me. Even though I do not hear from most of you, writing Phish Bowl is a gift from God and even though I use it as a tool to update you about me, the reason Phish Bowl exists is to call you to service. It’s about forsaking pet sins before it is too late. It is a wake up call from a fallen Saint who knows the true cost of sin and has felt the full wrath of God’s anger. I was taken to death’s door step and told “Death” or “Follow me”; “Door number one or door number two”; Timmy! Now that’s Jesus’ love in full force! I can see the world through the bars. I know many of you will say, “God does not work like that”. I and many of the forsaken Saints have this in common in our testimonies. I pray daily that you and your loved ones will wake up before it is too late. I am not pointing fingers. I’m yelling: “Look, I’m you…turn back. There’s a hell to avoid”. Don’t fool yourself that Jesus overlooks sin. There is no little sin. No un-judged sin, no sin that gets swept under the carpet.
“Now, everything has been heard,
So I give my final advice:
Honor God and obey His commands,
Because this is all people must do.
God will judge everything,
Even what is done in secret,
The good and the evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
Let’s stop for one minute. Salvation is a free gift from God, through Jesus and Jesus’ blood covers all sin. I’m not talking about salvation by works, but James asks this:
“What does it profit, my brethren if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that (kind of faith) save him? If a brother or a sister is naked and destitute of daily food and one of you says to them,”Depart in peace, be warmed and filled”, but you don’t give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” James 2:14-17
I would encourage all of you to read the complete passage on your own, verses 14-26 and also read Romans 3:28.
Paul covers grace and sin. “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not!” Romans 6:1
So what is all this leading up to? A command found in the New Testament. We are going to pick up in Matthew 25:31-44.
“Mt 25:31 "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 "All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33 "And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 "Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 'for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;
36 'I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to
38 'When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?
39 'Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' 40 "And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.' 41 "Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 'for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43 'I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.' 44 "Then they also will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?' Mt 25:46 "And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." (NKJV)
Okay, where do I start? This section of Matthew is the final parable that Jesus has been covering. So far in this Gospel in Chapter 21, He talks about the “Parable of the Two Sons”, “The Wicked Vine Dressers”, and in Chapter 22 Jesus tells us about “The Wedding Feast” and “The Greatest Commandment”. Love. Moving on to Chapter 23, He rebukes the Scribes and Pharisees, He laments over
“The Faithful Servant and Evil Servant”,
“The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins”,
“The Parable of the Talents”, and
“The Son of Man will Judge the Nations”, Matthew 25:31-46.
So, don’t take my word on it…read it for yourself asking the Holy Spirit to guide you through His word. If you decide today is the day to study something in God’s Word, you will notice every section I have quoted is in red letters. (In the “red letter” bible, Jesus’ words are written in red.) So, it’s not Timothy Nathaneal, a doulos of Christ teaching you something, it is Him, God Himself.
So here it is in short since I cannot ever add to God’s words. This final section involves judgment. Matthew has been called “The Gospel of Judgment” because the subject occurs so often: Mt 25:1 "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 "Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 "Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 "but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 "But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6 "And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!' 7 "Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 "And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9 "But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' 10 "And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. 11 "Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' 12 "But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.' (NKJV) Mt 25:14 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 "And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 "Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 "And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 "But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money. 19 "After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 "So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.'
21 "His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' 22 "He also who had received two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.' 23 "His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'
24 "Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 'And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.' 26 "But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 'So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 'Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 29 'For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 'And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (NKJV) See notes above for Mt 25: 31-46. Mt 6:2 "Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward; Mt 6:5 "And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward; Mt 6:16 "Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward; Mt 7:24 "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. 26 "But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: 27 "and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."; Mt 13:30 'Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn."'; Mt 13:40 "Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age.; Mt 13:49 "So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just; Mt 18:23 "Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 "And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 "But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 26 "The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, 'Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' 27 "Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. 28 "But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me what you owe!' 29 "So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.' 30 "And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 31 "So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 32 "Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 'Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?' 34 "And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.; Mt 20:1 "For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 "Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius 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 to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.' So they went. 5 "Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise. 6 "And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, 'Why have you been standing here idle all day?' 7 "They said to him, 'Because no one hired us.' He said to them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.' 8 "So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, 'Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.' 9 "And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. 10 "But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. 11 "And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, 12 "saying, 'These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.' 13 "But he answered one of them and said, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 'Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. 15 'Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?' 16 "So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen."; Mt 21:33 "Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. 34 "Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vinedressers, that they might receive its fruit. 35 "And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another. 36 "Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did likewise to them. 37 "Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.' 38 "But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, 'This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.' 39 "So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. 40 "Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?" 41 They said to Him, "He will destroy those wicked men miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons."; Mt 22:1 And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: 2 "The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, 3 "and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. 4 "Again, he sent out other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, "See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding."' 5 "But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. 6 "And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them. 7 "But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8 "Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. 9 'Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.' 10 "So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests. 11 "But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. 12 "So he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. 13 "Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' 14 "For many are called, but few are chosen."; Mt 24:45 "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? 46 "Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. 47 "Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. 48 "But if that evil servant says in his heart, 'My master is delaying his coming,' 49 "and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, 50 "the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, 51 "and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
This is to be expected since Matthew points to the coming of the kingdom and thus the Judgment that accompanies it. In the previous two parables, Jesus had been speaking of the Judgment on those Israelites who were unprepared for the coming of the Messiah.
So, I am going to ask, are you reading for His coming? It is not a story! He IS coming back for His Church. So, in light of Mathew 25, are you being a good servant? Remember this is not about me! But, if the prisons I have been to are the judge, we would get a D- as a grade. I’m blessed by a small group of Saints that have loved on me and by that, they have done for Christ, and it will be accredited to them.
Last week at a church Bible Study, we had to turn away over 50 men. Why, you will ask? Because we did not have enough volunteers. One volunteer is required to allow 25 men to attend the Bible Study. See, you don’t have to know how to teach or counsel someone. All that is needed is one more Saint to love on the forsaken. With just one more volunteer, 25 men would have heard God’s Word.
How about James 1:27: “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” I’ve got to stop because if Jesus’ words, Jesus himself will not cut your hearts, nothing I will say will do the job.
To keep anonymity of the Saint that keeps Phish Bowl Coffee House’s doors open, thank you from God our Father, Jesus our Savior and the blessed Holy Ghost who guides us daily through this dark world. We are daily bridging the gap left by the world; to love on, to minister to and to meet the needs. I hope that you are not in need….I just find myself in want. Even in prison, the worldly things call.
Up dates:
WORK: None. It’s been slow for a couple of months and now we are laying in stuff. So, I’ve not worked for two weeks. My new position lets me be the third to the last to be laid off, but that did not save my department. I have saved some money over the past year (God put this on my heart), so Phish Bowl should make it through this slow time. We have never had to turn someone down.
WEIGHT: Working on this one. During the summer months
And last, Brontë’s birthday is August 1st. She will be 14 years old. Please take a minute and lift her and Bishop up to our Lord. Angels of my distribution, please pray for them.
No comments:
Post a Comment