As we wait for his return, what are we supposed to do? What should we look for as we wait for Jesus’ return?
The apostles asked Jesus similar questions. Jesus had promised them that he will return one day to take them with him.
Matthew 24 gives us signs of the end times or end of the age. Luke 21 and Mark 13 also give us their account on what Jesus spoke about that day.
Matthew 24:1-14
Jesus was leaving the temple and his disciples admired or marveled the temple structures. Jesus predicted what would happen to the temple and the structures around it.
(v.2) There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.
Jesus predicted the destruction of the temple and the city of Jerusalem which took place in 70AD.
The disciples asked Jesus two questions:
When will these things be? What will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?
The first thing Jesus told them was to watch out that they are not led astray or deceived.
1)The rise of fall messiahs
2)You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but don’t be alarmed
-Nations will rise against nations and kingdom against kingdom.v.6
3)-Famines and earthquakes in various places. v.7
These are just the beginning of the birth pains.

4) Persecution of God’s people (v.9)
-persecuted and killed because of Jesus. The apostles were persecuted and killed because of Jesus and many more have been and are being persecuted and hated because of Christ.
-Hatred towards God’s people (we see and feel this today)
5)-The apostasy of many (v.10) Many will abandon the faith (fall away) betray one another and hate each other.
6)-Many false prophets will deceive many. (v.11)
7)-An increase in lawlessness (wickedness) (v.12) This will cause the love of many to grow cold.

But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Jesus is calling his people to endure all these things.
8)-The gospel will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations and then the end will come. V14

Based on the signs Jesus gave, we are living in the end times. What shall we do as we wait for the end?
-Don’t let anyone deceive you with dates and appearances of Mesiahs in the world. The only way for you to keep yourself from being led astray is to remain steadfast on God’s word.
-Don’t be alarmed when you hear about wars in our times. These things have been taking place ever since Jesus spoke about the end times.

-Remain in Jesus and his word; don’t fall away; don’t renounce your faith because of the wickedness we see in the world.
-Jesus calls us to persevere and stay awake (v.42) and be ready for we do not know when he will return. V.44
Jesus calls his people to remain faithful to him and his kingdom purposes. (46) Blessed is that servant whom his master fill find so doing when he comes.

The signs are evident and frequent in our time. Jesus will come again. May he find you faithful to his cause. Remember, don’t be alarmed, don’t let anyone deceive you. But stay awake and ready for that glorious day.

A fundamental question!

Matt.16:13-20

By Ysrael De la Cruz

Throughout centuries people have wrestled with the identity of Jesus.  The question “who is Jesus?” has puzzled many great minds for millennia.  Some people have viewed Jesus as a prophet, a great teacher.  He was a great teacher; Scripture tells us that people were amazed at his teaching.  Muslims believe Jesus was a prophet like Muhammad; Jehovah Witnesses believe Jesus was a created angel (Michael the archangel).  Mormons believe Jesus was Lucifer’s brother.  Scientologists believe Jesus was a great teacher who taught us how to be spiritually advanced.

The Jesus of progressive Christianity is not God, he is just a great teacher.

Who is Jesus?  Was he just a prophet, a teacher? Or is there more to Jesus than meets the eye.  The question: Who is Jesus?  is essential to our beliefs. We must wrestle with this question because how we answer it affects our destiny.  What you believe about Jesus matters, who you believe Jesus is matters.  This is why it matters what church you go to.  Is Jesus preached there?

 When Jesus began his public ministry, he attracted large crowds; lots of people wanted to see this man everyone was talking about.  His fame spread out very quickly; he was the reason people would say things like: “No one ever spoke like this man.” The temple guards. John 7:46  “Come see a man who told everything I ever did, could he be the Christ?” John 4:29 the Samaritan woman.  People were transformed after having an encounter with Jesus; and they would tell others about him.  Come see a man…

For about three years Jesus’ disciples followed him everywhere he went, they witnessed his miracles, heard his teachings.  They had a very good idea about Jesus’ identity.  Late in his ministry, Jesus asked the disciples this question, who do people say I am?  The disciples’ response gives us the public opinion of the day.

Matt.16:13-20

Jesus asked his followers, who do people say the Son of Man is? (Son of man is a messianic title referring to Jesus’ humanity) It is as if Jesus said, who do people say that I am?

The disciples’ response: some people thought Jesus was John the Baptist; Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.  People followed Jesus because they thought he was a prophet sent by God.  Most people didn’t know Jesus as well as the apostles.  They thought he was sent by God like the prophets of old.  To think that Jesus was just a prophet is to have limited knowledge of him.

Jesus then asked his disciples the same question: “Who do you say that I am?”

Each follower of Jesus must know the answer to this question.

Peter’s answer: (v.16)  “You are the Christ (Messiah) the Son of the Living God.”

Peter’s answer says a lot; they thought Jesus was the expected Messiah; God’s own Son.  Jesus applauded Peter for the answer. “blessed are you Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.” (v.17)

Peter’s answer was what Jesus wanted to hear.

We, like Peter, must confess Jesus as Christ, the Son of the Living God.  Jesus was known by many names in Scripture.  The Alpha and Omega, the Messiah, Lamb of God, Bright and morning Star, Lion of the Tribe of Judah; Son of God, so many names by which we can know Jesus.

After Peter’s response, Jesus told them what he was about to do.

Jesus is the author, founder of the church. (on this rock I will build my church)

The church was built on the very statement Peter confessed, Jesus is the Christ, he is the LORD.

Church: (Ekklesia): assembly, (Called out ones), congregation.  The church is the gathering, assembly of those who profess faith in Jesus as Lord.

The church belongs to Jesus; it’s his church.  He said he will build his church; Jesus purchased the church with his own blood.  It belongs to him.

Jesus’ church is an unstoppable force in the world.

The gates of Hades (the realm of the dead) will not be able to prevail or overcome the church of Jesus Christ.  His church will transcend time.  It will live forever with her Savior.

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” V.19

The church began with the preaching of the apostles; they presented Jesus as Lord and risen from the dead.  Acts 2:36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made this Jesus whom you crucified, Lord and Christ.

Acts 4:11-12 Jesus is the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone. And salvation is only found in him.

Peter and the rest of the apostles certainly used the keys of the kingdom as we read in the book of Acts.  They were empowered by God to accomplish his mission.  This is what Jesus had in mind when he said, “I will build my church”

Who is Jesus?  We see in Scripture that Jesus is more than just a prophet or teacher, he is the Messiah, Lord, the one by whom we can be saved.  The more you know Jesus the better you will understand his identity.  He is the Christ and Lord of all creation; the only one and can transform our lives if we  invite him to be our Lord.

I love how John concludes his gospel, John 20:30-31  He tells us the purpose in writing what he wrote about Jesus.

30Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

He wrote so the readers (we) would understand without a shadow of doubt that Jesus is the Christ and that by believing in his name we have life.

We who have believed in Jesus as the Messiah have eternal life in his name.

How would you answer Jesus if he asked you, Who do you say I am?

Joshua 24:1-17

By: Ysrael De la Cruz

At the beginning of each year people tend to make resolutions, pledges or promises of what they would like to achieve in the new year.  Business, stores take inventory (a complete list of items such as goods in stock) they evaluate their products; what worked, what didn’t. They do these things in order to improve their quality; to give customers their best, compared to their competition.  Whether you are one of those who make year’s resolutions or not, one thing is certain.  A year is gone and a new has just begun.  When the nation of Israel was about to enter the promised land; that was going to be a dream come true for them.  It was their goal, their destination.  And right before they go each to their assigned property, God wanted Joshua to review their history.

Joshua reviewed Israel’s history. (Jos.24:1-13)  The LORD had Joshua review their ancestral history: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the patriarchs,

–Moses and Aaron. (vv.5-7)

-Wilderness wandering (v.7-12)

-The possession of the land (v.13)

God’s faithfulness was evident in their history. (vv. 1-13) I took your father Abraham…(v.3) I gave him Isaac and Jacob and Esau.. (v.sent…..I brought…I delivered you… I blessed you……gave your enemies into your hands.  Notice who is the one doing the action here.  Yahweh.  God did all these things for his people.  Because he is faithful to the covenant he made with them.

 on their journey to the land, God provided for them.  Joshua challenged the people to think about the fact that the reason they made it to the land of the promise was because God is true to his word. He is faithful even when they were not faithful to him.  God’s presence was evident in Israel’s history.   

Joshua 24:14-27 Joshua’s challenge to the people to serve God faithfully.

–Fear the LORD (revere him) and serve him faithfully.

In order to serve God faithfully you must throw away the competition.

-Put away the gods that your fathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt.

Joshua challenged them to get rid of the idols their ancestors had been worshiping.  If Joshua is challenging them to put them away is because they were still worshiping those traditional gods.  Their families introduced them to these false gods.

-Put away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your heart to the LORD. (v.23)

In order for them to faithfully serve or worship God, they needed to get rid of the competition.  They were not completely devoted to Yahweh, they had other things beside God.

If the choice to serve God seems unseasonable to you, if it seems evil in your sight (if you do not desire to make this choice) Choose today whom you will serve.  The gods your families worshiped or the gods of the people of the land. (cultural gods) All those people, Amorites, Hitites,etc. They had their own gods and they would be a temptation for the people of God.

Joshua let the nation know his choice. As for me and my house we will serve the LORD. (v.15)

You must choose whom you will worship.  The inherited gods you grew up worshiping, or the gods of the land where we live now.  But as for me and my house, we will choose to serve Yahweh.

The people pledged themselves to serve God for it was him who brought them to the promised Land. (v.16)  Scripture tells us that the nation of Israel served God throughout the lifetime of Joshua and the elders who were there that day.  They yielded their hearts to God as long as Joshua lived.

Judges 2:7 And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua , and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great work that the LORD had done for Israel.

We can relate to the nation of Israel.  We too can evaluate our story and see evidence of God’s faithfulness toward us.  We too can highlight certain events in which God worked on our behalf, providing, protecting us and so forth.  I want to challenge you to take inventory of your life; I want to challenge you to faithfully serve God this year.  Think about how committed are you going to be to God and his mission.  What kind of commitment will you make for him?

In order for you and I to truly serve God faithfully, we must get rid of whatever is competing with him in our heart.  Have we been worshiping traditional gods or cultural gods? Traditional gods, those things we grew up practicing which are not even biblical. (praying the rosary, lighting candles to images, etc.)

-Cultural gods (political party, left or right; gods of sexuality, fame, money, etc. beauty. Technology, Ai.  We have a lot to choose from).

In the world we live today, there are lots of gods, competing with the true God.  We must choose whom we are going to worship.  We must make the commitment to just worship the LORD.  But in order to truly worship him faithfully, we must throw away those idols we have erected that we have given them more value than God himself.  People whose hope and salvation depended on a political party have abandoned Yahweh and made that political party a god. Get rid of it.

Make an inventory of what it is that is competing with God in your life. And get rid of the competition for only the LORD is faithful, only the LORD saves.

Choose this day whom you will worship, but as for me and my family, we have already made our choice.  We will worship the LORD.  We will be about Jesus and his mission.

Isaiah 40:27-31

By Ysrael De la Cruz

When we go through hardships or suffering in this world, we wonder what God’s plan would be in those situations.  We pray but it seems God is not answering.  Some of us have been in situations in which we have no idea what God’s plan or purpose might be for us.  It is during those moments that we would truly love to hear from God.  During times of uncertainty, when we do not how we’re going to pay the bills or what is going to happen with our health, job; etc.  We may begin to question God, doubt his love for us. It is also during these times of uncertainty that we get to display the kind of faith we have.

The prophet Isaiah predicted the destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish deportation to Babylon. God sent him to warn his people of the calamity that would come due to their disobedience. The Jewish people complained that God did not care about them; they felt God had abandoned them.  But the LORD had a message for his people through the prophet Isaiah.

Isaiah 40:27-31

Following Jesus does not exempt you from trials, persecution and suffering in this world.  At times, God uses hardships to develop the faith and character of his people. Sometimes God brings us into difficulty, so we get a better perspective of who he is.  So we learn to rely more on his power than our own strength.

Then here is what the LORD told his people through the prophet Isaiah. “Why do you say O Jacob, and speak O Israel, ‘My way is hidden from the LORD and my right is disregarded by my God’

God knows your situation-(27)  He knows what is happening with you and around the world.  He knew what people said in their complaint. “my way is hidden from the LORD”

God reminds us who he is:  Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God (The Eternal God, the beginning and the end.  The one who transcends time and space.  The Creator of the ends of the earth.

He is not like us. (v.28)  He does not faint or grow weary.  His understanding is unsearchable. No one can know the depths of his understanding.

–He is the true source of Power and strength: (v.29) gives power to the weak and increases strength to those who feel powerless.

This reminds me the words of Paul to the church in Ephesus, in the 6^th chapter of the Ephe.6:10 Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

We all may run out of strength and perseverance to continue running our race.  God reminds us that he is our strength and power to withstand anything that comes our way.

Isaiah 40:30  Even youths shall faint (be tired) and be weary, and young men shall stumble and fall. But there is hope for those who hope in the LORD.

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. (v.31)

Those who wait or hope in the LORD are the one who renew their strength.

To hope in the LORD is (to eagerly await, hope, expect) It is to look for something with eager expectation; to rely on something reliable. To wait trustfully.

Those who eagerly wait in the Lord, those who hope and have their expectation in him are the ones who renew their strength.

Examples of people who hoped in the LORD

–Job 13:15 Even if he slay me, I will hope in him.

–Psalm 42:5 Why so downcast O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God; for I shall again praise him.

–Psalm 62:5 find rest o my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.

What kind of strength?

Strength to ascend above your problem.

–They shall mount up with wings like eagles.

They shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.This is the kind of strength God gives to those who hope in him.  God is saying even when you don’t have the strength to keep going; keep waiting on me, keep trusting me. He will provide the strength you need to keep going regardless of the situation.  He is the everlasting God who knows our situation; he is the source of power and strength we have.  But the promise is for those who eagerly wait on him, for those who hope and trust in him.  He is the only one who can get us soaring above any situation in life.

Standing firm in the gospel.

1 Corinthians 15:1-8

By Ysrael De la Cruz

After the resurrection, Jesus commanded his followers to preach the gospel into all the world. Mark 16:15-16  This was the marching order of Jesus to his apostles, to his church.  We have been entrusted with the proclamation of the gospel in the world.  The church began through the preaching of the apostles in Jerusalem.  They announced the good news of Jesus to those in Jerusalem and people

responded by believing and being baptized into Jesus.

Those who received his messaged were baptized and then added to the church.  Acts 2:41

The church began with the Jewish disciples and later on the gospel reached the non-Jews (Greeks and Samaritans).  We hear about a man named Paul who traveled everywhere preaching the good news of Jesus among the Greeks.  He encountered a great deal of opposition in his preaching.  The message of the gospel has been challenged by some and others have altered or reformed it.  So often in Scriptures we read the apostles telling the churches to remain true to message of the gospel and not compromise it.  You and I will constantly be challenged to forsake the message of the cross for a counterfeit gospel.  As followers of Jesus, we must remain true to him by standing firm in his word.

1 Corinthians 15

About 55 AD, Paul wrote a letter to a church in Corinth and he reminded them of the gospel,

I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received.

In which you stand and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you. Unless you believed in vain.

The gospel saves those who hold fast to it.

You heard the good news of Jesus, then you believed it, you are saved by holding fast, standing firm on that message that you received.

People must hold fast to the good news of Jesus in order to be saved.

Paul had said in Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, the Jew first and also the Greek.

Once you believe the gospel you must stand firm in it.  Hold fast to it. Otherwise you have believed in vain.

Colossians 1:21-23  21And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

The churches in Galatia drifted from the message of the gospel and adopted a gospel based on works.  Paul said that they had fallen from grace.  It was evident that these churches were not standing firm in the true message of the gospel.  Some people had confused the Galatian churches and they were holding on to a gospel that Paul said was no gospel at all because it had removed Jesus from the centered replacing him with good works. (Gal.1:6) There are people and religious groups today which have done the same.  People have moved Jesus from their preaching and have replaced him with pep talk messages about how to become better. Self-centered messages, prosperity gospels, spiritual experience gospel.

The gospel of Jesus is centered on Jesus. 1 Cor.15:3

Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures.

He was buried and he was raised according to the Scriptures.

He appeared himself to his followers given them indubitable proof that he was alive.

The true gospel is Christ-centered; it is about what Jesus has done to save us.

We must not drift away from the message because if we do, then any hope of salvation is gone.

Hebrews 2:1  We must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.  (We must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard).

Paul told Timothy to continue steadfast in what he had learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom he learned it. “and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” 2 Tim.3:14

Like Paul, I want to remind you of the gospel of Jesus Christ, someone preached it to you.  You chose to take a stand on it by believing it. Then remain firm on that message.  Don’t wander away from the message of salvation.  Don’t drift away from the message of salvation that is only in Christ Jesus.

John 15:1-8

By: Ysrael De la Cruz

You are not a Christian just because you identify yourself as Christian.  Francis Chan said: “There are people who truly believe in their hearts they are followers of Jesus, but their lives look nothing like his.”There are things you do and choose not to do that would show others whether you are a disciple of Jesus or not.  There are things that set us apart from the rest of the world.  Jesus said to his disciples, the world will know you are truly my disciples when they see you love one another. It’s very easy to identify followers of Jesus in the New Testament.  They are the one reflecting Jesus in their loving each other. They are the ones being committed to Jesus’ teachings. Scripture tells us that the first century Christians were devoted to the teaching of God’s word; committed to being in fellowship or connection with other believers and devoted to prayer. (Acts 2:42)In John 15 Jesus gives us another illustration through the metaphor of the vine and the branches. John 15:1-8

I am the true vine, and my father is the vinedresser.  Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

True followers of Jesus remain in him (Abide in him).  To remain or abide in Jesus is to stay with him; to be attached to him; being connected to him. 

Jesus calls his people to remain in him (v.4) “Remain in me and I will remain in you.  No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.  Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” Why should you abide in Jesus?

Followers of Jesus are to produce fruit. (this fruit comes as a result of being attached to the vine. V.4)  A branch cannot bear fruit by itself.  Jesus said that apart from him we can do nothing.  It’s only by being attached to Jesus that we can produce fruit.

V.5 I am the vine, you are the branches.  Whoever abides in me and I in him, he is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. ESV

Producing fruit brings glory to God. (v.8) and proves that you are truly a disciple of Jesus.

Those who do not bear fruit are not true disciples of Jesus.  They are thrown away to be burned (v.2 God cuts off fruitless branches. V.6)

To abide (remain) in Jesus means to abide in his word (v.7)  God uses  his word to prune us, so we can produce more fruit. (v.2-3); followers of Jesus must remain in his word and not compromise it.  We must remain in Jesus’ teaching.  (v.3) you are already clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.

John 8:31-32 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 15:7 Jesus gives a promise to those who remain in him and his word.  He said ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.  What is the condition for God to give you whatever you ask in Jesus’ name? To remain in him and his word.  Why should God answer our prayers if we are detached from him and his words?

True followers of Jesus bear fruit. It’s one of those marks of a true follower. (v.8)  God is exalted or glorified by the fruit produced by Christ’s followers.

True Christians bear fruit.  Here are example of the fruit we are talking about.  Paul calls this living by the Spirit when we produce this fruit. Gal.5:22 Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

When the world displays hate, followers of Jesus show love.  When others display despair and hostility, Christ’s followers display peace, patience, kindness. When others display evil, you show goodness. You repay evil with good.  When others are unfaithful, you show faithfulness; you display gentleness and self-control in dealing with others.  This is the fruit followers of Jesus are to produce.

A little boy went over to a pastor’s house, where the pastor was doing some carpentry in his garage. The boy simply stood there and watched him for quite a long time. The preacher wondered why this boy was watching him and was finally so curious that he stopped and said, “Son, are you trying to pick up some pointers on how to build something?” The little boy replied, “No. I am just waiting to hear what a preacher says when he hits his thumb with a hammer.

Bearing good fruit is really not complicated; it is the natural progression or movement of anyone who remains in Jesus and his word because only those who remain in him produce fruit and bring glory to God by doing so.

By Ysrael De la Cruz

As Christians we may at times question the fact that God allows us to go through certain trials. We know nothing escapes God’s will or control. We may not understand why God allows us to go through trials and hardships in this world.  Sometimes, God’s trials for us are his way of disciplining us.  The Bible teaches that God disciples those he loves and chastises those he considers his children.  Love disciplines and we clearly see this in the Old Testament in God Yahweh disciplines his children (the children of Israel) (Hebrews 12:5)

God is true to his word.

God had made a promised to his people (The children of Israel) that if they continued in their idolatry refusing to hear his word, He would send them into captivity.  In the Spring of 586 BC a Babylonian King named Nebuchadnezzar besieged the city of Jerusalem and took captive more than 10, 000 Jews; he also took the gold from God’s temple.(2 Kings 24:10-17)

You may wonder why God allowed his people to suffer like this.  The answer is because they disobeyed his instructions and did not listen to the prophets God sent to warn them.  The captivity was God’s punishing his people for their rebellion.  God is true to his word.  He told them this would happen if they did not change and it came to pass.  The exile or captivity is a testimony to God’s justice.

There was a prophet in Jerusalem who saw the deportation of God’s people to Babylon.  The LORD gave him a message for those who were taken prisoner to Babylon.  Jeremiah sent a letter with a message from Yahweh to them.

Jeremiah 29:1-15

Verse 2 gives us the context when this letter was written. After king Jeconiah (Jehoiachin) and his mother, the queen were taken prisoner to Babylon.  This was the spring of 597 BC (2 Kings 24:10-17; 2 Chro.36;8-10)

Zedekiah ruled instead of Jehoiachin.  Zedekiah sent the letter with Elasah and Gemariah. (v.3)

No sooner were God’s people deported; than God had already sent the answer on their way.  This is a testimony to his faithfulness.

Here is what the letter said: (v.4-14)

This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel says to those I sent into exile.

–Do not stop living. (build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce.  Get married; have sons and daughters. Give your sons and daughters in marriage there.  Multiply there and do not decrease.  Do not stop living but Grow where you are planted. Wherever God brings you he expects you to grow there.      

–Seek the welfare of the city where you live. Pray for the city for if it prospers, then you will prosper as well.

–Do not listen to false prophets and dreamers. (prophets and diviners)  There were prophets and diviners prophesying and telling people their dreams, but they were not sent by God himself.  They were deceiving the people.  Anyone who in the name of God would tell you things against God’s word or his message, do not listen to them, they are false prophets.

The captivity would last 70 years (v.10)

God promises restoration (v.10)

God still had plans for his people even after they lived in captivity.  Plans for good and not harm; plans for a bright future.

After the restoration (v.12)

-You will call on me and pray to me and I will hear you. (v.12)

-You will seek me and find me, and you seek me with all your heart.

-I will be found by you and restore your fortunes and father you from all the nations where I have driven you.

I will bring you back to the land from which I sent you into exile. (v.14)

God promises restoration for his people after 70 years of captivity.

God’s faithfulness is evident in his dealing with his people.  He sent his people into captivity due to their rebellion.  God punishes and disciplines his children when they rebel against him.

This was his will for his people due to their sinful behavior.

Some people may think that our country will go into captivity if this man wins.  However, even in captivity God is still faithful to his promises. He told them to live and thrive where they were sent. Do not stop living even if your circumstances change. Seek the welfare of the city and pray for the wellbeing of the city and your country.  God is faithful in any situation we may find ourselves in

God promised restoration to his people and he accomplished it.  He still has plans for you where you are and where life may take you.  No matter the situation, God has plans for his people.

God used the Babylonians to teach a lesson to his people who were in rebellion.

Whatever situation you are in right now,  understand that God knows, and he is faithful to change the outcome.  God is always faithful, even when he sends us into captivity for a time.  He is true to his word.  He is faithful to bring his people back to restoration.  He has told us how we can be restored: We must heed his word, his instructions.  He is asking his people to humble themselves before him, to truly seek him with all their hearts and to stay away from our sinful ways.  Then he promises to hear, heal, and forgive our land.  He is faithful to his word.  This is what the LORD Almighty says.

(V.32) Jesus also told them that he would rise from the dead and meet with them in Galilee. However, the disciples did not listen to this part. All they heard was the Jesus said they will fall away.
Peter made Jesus a promise right here. (v.33)
“Even if they all fall away, I will never fall away.”

Jesus told him “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” (v.34)
Peter was certain that he would never leave Jesus. He promised that he would die for Jesus and that he would not deny him. The disciples said the same.
Later Jesus went into the garden of Gethsemane where he is arrested, and the disciples fled (v.56)
Peter followed from a distance to see where they would take Jesus. Minutes later, Peter was confronted with reality. As he is warming himself in the courtyard of the house of the high priest.
Peter was recognized as one of Jesus’ disciples. You are one of his disciples, did we not see you with him? You are also from Galilee as he was.
Peter denied Jesus three times; he swore to have never known him. Then the rooster crowed; and Peter remembered Jesus’s words. Scriptures tell us that he wept bitterly after he realized what he did.
Matt.26:69-75
Mark 14:66-72
Luke 22:59-62
John 18:14-27
Peter felt devastated because he failed Jesus; he did not keep his promise. He felt threatened and denied his teacher, his friend. He felt shame, guilt. He felt Jesus would never forgive him for what he did. Peter could not be true to his word as he denied Jesus , not one or twice, but three times.
Matthew does not tell us what happened to Peter after this. John gives us an idea regarding what was going on in the mind of Peter.

After the resurrection, Jesus began to appear to his disciples and ate with them. He showed himself to them alive. But Peter never had the chance to apology to Jesus. He was dealing with shame and guilt. God will never forgive me for what I have done. God could not use someone like me.

John 21:1-19
They already knew that Jesus was alive; they had seen him. Here Peter and some of his companions decided to go fishing.
Peter said: “I am going fishing” and they said “we are going with you.”
That night they did not fish anything. Then at dawn, Jesus appeared to them on the shore, but they could not recognize him.
Have you caught any fish?v.5
Cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find some. (Déjà vu) This scene looked very familiar. This was how Jesus called Peter while he was fishing.

They did and caught so many fish that the net was about to break.
By the time they made it to shore, Jesus had prepared breakfast for them. When they all had eaten, Jesus asked a piercing question to Peter.
Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these? Three times Jesus asked him followed by the statements Feed my lambs, tend my sheep, feed my sheep.
Jesus was reinstating Peter to what he had called him. Jesus did not take into account what he had done; he called him to be the shepherd of his sheep. Peter saw himself as someone not worthy of following Jesus or even be a leader among his people since he was dealing with shame and guilt. But Jesus came to break the cycle of condemnation in his mind. Get back on track Peter.
In order for you and I to break the cycle of condemnation that leads to shame and guilt, we must listen to Jesus’ voice. You may feel worthless, he says, you are wonderful. You may feel too far, too dirty or sinful for him to use you. He is calling you regardless of what you have done. You break the cycle of condemnation by seeing yourself as God sees you.

Jesus through the gospel of Mark.
In Mark 3:13-20 We are informed how Jesus appointed twelve of his followers and named them apostles so they could be with him. Jesus gave them authority to preach and cast out demons.
In chapter 4 we find Jesus once again teaching beside the sea and a large crowd listening to his teaching. He taught the people in parables and the same day, when evening came, he told his disciples to go across the lake. Mark 4:35-41 Here Jesus would show the disciples something else they did not know about him.
This incident is recorded by Matthew and Luke (Matt.8:23-27 // Luke 8:23-25)

The trip to the other side of the lake became dangerous.(37)
A great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat so that the boat was already filling. The boat was being battered by the wind and the waves.
Jesus was sleeping in the stern of the boat on a cushion. (Keep in mind, Jesus spent a whole day teaching, and it was evening; he must have been exhausted that he fell asleep on the journey across the lake).

This was no ordinary storm for the majority of the disciples were fishermen and they were familiar with this sea. They made a living fishing here. However, they feared the worst.
You know the disciples were terrified for they went and woke up Jesus.
Listen to the disciples’ panic (v.38) “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
How could you be asleep while we are all struggling to survive?
Sometimes people think God is asleep especially when they need him the most. It is as if he does not even care about the situation.
Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing? Don’t you care if we drown? (v.38)

Jesus woke up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea “Peace Be still! (v.39)
The wind ceased and the sea was calm.

Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith? (v.40)
When you are afraid, you show no faith and when you have faith fear is gone. Faith and fear cannot coexist, they don’t mix. They are the face of the same coin. When you have faith, fear is gone and when you are afraid, faith is gone.
Jesus challenged his disciples’ faith in the midst of the storm. Why are you so afraid? You still have no faith? (still do not believe?)

The faith of the disciples was based on the knowledge they had about Jesus. Here lies the reason why we must strive to know Jesus better, so our faith in him will increase. They knew Jesus was a great teacher, who could cast out demons and heal diseases. But they did not know Jesus had power over nature itself.

The disciples were filled with awe, fear after they just witnessed what Jesus did. (v.41)
“Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
The disciples just discovered something they did not know about Jesus. He has authority over nature itself. Wind and the sea he commands them and they obey him. He is Lord of nature.
Your faith is based on what you know. Your faith in Jesus is based on how much you know him. The disciples heard Jesus teach and saw how he taught with authority; they saw Jesus heal people and cast out demons. They knew Jesus also had authority to forgive sins authority over the Sabbath day. They were familiar with this, but they did not know that the same Jesus is Lord of creation, he controls the elements of nature. Jewish people believed that only God has the power to control nature. The faith of the disciples got a boost since they found out something they did not know about Jesus. The more you know Jesus, the stronger your faith will be.

You and I, like the disciples will journey in this life and will face storms, severe storms to test our faith. What storms are you facing today? They are rocking you to the core, but do not panic, because the same Jesus who calmed the storm that day can do the same for you. He is stronger and more powerful than whatever you are facing today. He wants you to trust him even in the storm. Having Jesus in your life will have you face any storm courageously because you know that he is greater than any issues we could face in this life. Who is this? He is Jesus, Lord of all creation. Get to know him so your faith would be rock solid; get to know him so that you live fearless life.

Luke tells us about the encounter Jesus had with two disciples traveling to a village seven miles from Jerusalem right after the resurrection. These two disciples went to the apostles to report that they two had seen the risen Christ.
Luke 24:36-49
I have mentioned that it wasn’t the empty tomb that changed the disciples of Jesus it was the fact that they saw him alive.
Jesus appeared to them “Peace to you”
Notice that they were startled and afraid and thought they saw a ghost. (v.36-37)
Jesus appeared to them to give them evidence that he was indeed risen from the dead.
Why are you troubled? Why do doubts arise in your hearts? It is I myself; come touch me. Jesus showed them his hands and feet.

The apostles were still in disbelief, they could not believe Jesus came back from the dead. Jesus told him to give him something to eat. They were familiar with sharing a meal with Jesus. He ate in front of them to show them it was truly him and not a ghost.

Jesus reminded them of what he had told them concerning himself. (v.44-45)
Jesus’s death and resurrection were the fulfilment of prophecy.
-The law of Moses spoke about it
-The prophets
-The Psalms 22:16-17
16For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet—17I can count all my bones—they stare and gloat over me; 18they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.

Jesus opened their minds so they could understand better what was written about him. (v.45)
The Messiah should suffer and rise from the dead on the third day. Repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name beginning in Jerusalem.
The apostles filled the city of Jerusalem with the preaching of Jesus. They called people to repent and find forgiveness in Jesus Christ. For salvation is only found in him.
Jesus told them “You are witnesses of these things” They were witnesses of Jesus’ teaching, death and resurrection. Everywhere they traveled they would testify to what they saw and heard about Jesus. The church was born out of the preaching of the apostles, as they presented Jesus risen from the dead.

When the ruling authorities questioned the apostles and threatened them. They said “We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:20

Acts 5:29-32
29Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! 30The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. 31God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins. 32We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” (NIV)

For nearly two thousand years followers of Jesus have continued to proclaim repentance and forgiveness of sin available to those who place their trust in Jesus. This was the mission Jesus gave his followers; it is our mission as well. You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. Christianity exists today because Jesus is alive. The world could not and will never be able to stop a movement empowered by the risen Christ.

The Master took pity on him and canceled the debt and let him go. (v.27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.)

The forgiven servant found a man who owed him 100 denarii (a Denarius was a day’s wage for a worker), he grabbed him and began to choke him. Demanding that he pay what he owed.
This servant also pleaded, be patient with me and I will pay you back.
The 1st servant refused. Instead he threw him in prison until he could pay the debt.

News of this reached the master (v.31) Other servants saw this and reported this to the King.

The king called the servant again, time for accountability once again. (v.32-35)
The master called him wicked. His attitude was not of a kingdom person, but a secular’s.
“I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to, shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?
The King said, I showed you grace, forgiving your huge amount, why didn’t you do the same to your fellow man?
The king was angry with this servant and now, that servant who got grace and mercy. He now gets what he deserved in the first place. He got punished for his lack of forgiveness and grace. (v.34) He turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back what he owed.

(v.35) Here is the seriousness of forgiveness. This is how your heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.

A kingdom person is characterized by forgiveness. A kingdom person understands God’s grace and forgives from the heart. When you refuse forgiveness, is because you still have not understood God’s grace toward you. You are still acting as the wicked servant.

It angers God when his people who are to represent him display attitudes contrary to his character.
God said that if you don’t forgive your brother from the heart, he won’t forgive you either. (v.35)

Unforgiveness affects your relationship with God. your very relationship with God is affected when you choose not to forgive.
Matthew 6:12 forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.
Matt.6:14-15 If you don’t forgive, God will not forgive you.
Here in the context of prayer God is saying that your prayers won’t be heard if you don’t forgive your brother. Mark 11:25

Forgiveness is connected to your worship and your prayers. God won’t hear your prayers and accept your worship when you have an unforgiving heart.
There may be many people whose prayers are not being answered just because they are refusing to forgive their brother or sister. God is so serious about forgiveness among his people. When we refuse to forgive is because we have not understood God’s grace and mercy and how much he has forgiven us. Jesus said it plainly, forgiveness has not limit and if you don’t forgive your brother from the heart, God won’t forgive you either.
Going back to the definition of a kingdom person by Tony Evans. You are a kingdom person when you are willing to adjust your decisions to God’s decisions, even if God’s decision is not what you preferred. God’s decision for his people is that they forgive one another. This may not be preferred or desired by you, but a kingdom person goes with God’s decision. A kingdom person is known and marked by forgiveness.

The last prophet of the Old Testament John the Baptist appeared in the dessert preaching a message of repentance. Matt.3:1-2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” At the time of John’s arrest, Jesus went to Galilee and began his public ministry, he began preaching. Matt.4:17 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” (Has come near, is at hand). Jesus gave the same message to his disciples (Matt.10:5-8) “As you go, preach this message: The kingdom of heaven is near.” (v.7)

It’s been two thousand years since that message was heard in the shore of the Galilean Sea. What is the kingdom of heaven?
The gospel of Matthew sheds lots of light regarding the kingdom of heaven or kingdom of God. The phrase ‘the kingdom of heaven’ appears more than fifty times in the gospel according to Matthew.
Heaven calls people to repent, to change their ways or the way they think. People are called to repent because the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
A kingdom: (webster’s) a country whose ruler is a king or queen. The realm in which God’s will is fulfilled.
God is the ruler of this kingdom; he has the supreme authority and power. In this kingdom there is no democracy or voting or rights. No body deserves to enter this kingdom; God decides the conditions in this place and the rules. Remember this is a monarchy in which Jesus Christ is the Sovereign King forever and ever. In this kingdom repentance is necessary for one to enter.

Jesus’ teaching about the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus said many things about the kingdom of heaven. Jesus said the heaven belongs to people who are poor in Spirit?(Those are the ones who realize their need to be supplied and their dependence is on someone else) Matt.5:3. These are those who are spiritually bankrupt and realized their need for grace. To be poor in spirit is to realize that nothing we have is worth more than the kingdom of God.
This kingdom belongs to those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake. Matt.5:10
The kingdom of heaven contains rewards for those who belong to God. (Matt.5:11-12) even through persecution and accusations those who belong to the kingdom of heaven are to rejoice because their reward in heaven.

In our prayer Jesus taught us to long for this kingdom. Your kingdom come and your will be done. Matt.6:10 The kingdom of heaven is both Spiritual and physical. Right now heaven where God dwells is in a different dimension hidden from us, in order for us to see it, we have to die and see the Spiritual aspect of heaven. When God’s people die they go to heaven, the spirit goes to the presence of God. This is a spiritual reality; but one day God’s kingdom will come; heaven will come down to earth in a physical reality where Jesus will be the Sovereign king. This is what we long to see even when we pray” your kingdom come.” In this kingdom, Jesus will live physically with his renewed people at the end of the age, at his coming. Revelation 21:3-4 (God will live with his people forever and ever)

Conditions to enter the kingdom of heaven.
It’s time to make a change, repentance is necessary, for the kingdom of God is at hand. Jesus called people to repent, to change the way they think and turn to God.
Jesus told his followers that repentances and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations. Luke 24:47

People must do God’s will. Matt.7:21 They must do exactly what God says.
God’s will is to give eternal life to those who believe in Jesus. (John 6:40) For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

People must believe in Jesus in order to enter. Jesus is the door and way to heaven. This is what God has determined. God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16) John 3:33 whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.

Jesus inaugurated the kingdom of heaven during his time on earth. He sent his people to preach repentance and forgiveness of sins to all nations so that others may come and be part of his coming kingdom. (Luke 24:46-47 This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem.)

When he comes back, he will establish his kingdom. Every knee will bow down and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. This is what we are looking forward to. Your kingdom come, Come Lord Jesus. Amen.