Matthew 25: WATCH OUT!

 

Matthew 25

Scripture

Math 25:13 (GNT):  And Jesus concluded, "Watch out, then, because you do not know the day or the hour.

Mat 25:32 (GNT): and the people of all the nations will be gathered before him. Then he will divide them into two groups, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

Observation

In Math 25, Jesus again cautions the disciples to be watchful and uses the parables of the ten virgins and the talents to teach us how to be ready and prepared for His return by using contrasts between wise and foolish virgins (v1-12), faithful and unfaithful servants (v14-29).

Being ready and prepared	Being unprepared
5 Wise virgins	5 Foolish virgins
Have oil in their lamps and extra oil for later	Only have enough oil to fill their lamps, no extra oil
Did not share their precious oil with the foolish virgins	Asked the wise virgins for some of their oil
Were ready when the bridegroom came	Were shopping for oil when the bridegroom came
Entered the wedding feast with the groom	The door was locked when they returned to the wedding and they could not enter.
Faithful Servants	Unfaithful servants
Math 25:15: He gave to each one according to his ability
Servant with 5 talents invested the money and soon doubled it	Servant with 1 talent dug a hole in the ground and buried it for safekeeping
Servant with 2 talents went to work with the money and doubled it
Master applauded them: “Well done, my good and faithful servant”	Master scolded him: “You wicked and lazy servant”
They celebrated together	The talent he had was taken away from him
Consequences in the Final Judgement (Math 25:31-46)
Sheep – placed at the right hand of the King	Goats – placed to the left of the King
Blessed by the Father	They are cursed
Deeds and actions
Fed the hungry	Did not feed the hungry
Gave drink to the thirsty	Did not give drink to the thirsty
Showed hospitality and care to strangers	Ignored the stranger
Clothed the naked	No clothing for the naked
Cared for the sick	No care for the sick
Visited the prisoners	Ignored the prisoners
Eternal reward
Inherit the place the Father prepared for them in His Kingdom	Cast into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons
Will go into eternal life	Will go away into eternal punishment

 Application

The list above can be very exhausting and overwhelming to our poor human souls. How then can we be watchful and ready?

The 10 Virgins (The Oil)

When I was pondering and chewing on this chapter, The Holy Spirit remined me of a childhood song that goes like this:

V1 “Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning, give me oil in my lamp, I pray; give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning, keep me burning till the break of day.”

Then I thought to myself – if Matthew 25 tells us to keep enough oil to fill our lamps, how do I get this oil. In the parable the foolish virgins had to go to the store to buy oil, but the wise virgins had the oil with them.

In the parable it was not mentioned that the wise virgins bought the oil from a store before coming to the wedding feast, they already had it with them. So, what does this mean to you and me? Do I merely ask for the oil, as in the song? Or how do I obtain it?

The song also gives the answer as it doesn’t end there – it continues to the chorus:

“Sing hosanna, sing hosanna, sing hosanna to the King of kings! Sing hosanna, sing hosanna, sing hosanna to the King!”

I then got curios, what is the depth of the meaning of the word Hosanna? It is also what the masses cried out when Jesus’ rode on a donkey into Jerusalem (Math 21)… To sing Hosanna is both praise and plea for salvation, reflecting deep trust in God’s power to deliver and protect His people. The word Hosanna comes from the Hebrew phrase “hoshiya na”, meaning “save, please” or “save now.”

To fill our lamps with oil, we cannot buy it, we cannot fill up on our own; in our own strength – it is impossible. We need to cry out to Jesus; “Hosanna, save me please” and deeply trust in God’s power, the power of the Holy Spirit given to us by abiding in Him and allowing Him to abide in us.

The song then continues in verses 2, 3 & 4.

V2 Give me joy in my heart, keep me praising, give me joy in my heart, I pray; give me joy in my heart, keep me praising, keep me praising till the break of day. {Chorus}

V3 Give me peace in my heart, keep me loving, give me peace in my heart, I pray; give me peace in my heart, keep me loving, keep me loving till the break of day. {Chorus}

V4 Give me love in my heart, keep me serving, give me love in my heart, I pray; give me love in my heart, keep me serving, keep me serving till the break of day. {Chorus}

These versed points us to spiritual tools for abiding:

 

·       For joy – we lift our hearts in praise

·       For peace – we ask God to fill us with His love

·       From His love – we serve

The Servants

We spend time with God in prayer, in reading His word, in waiting in quiet places to hear His voice, from this will flow an attitude that will lead us to be wise servants, labouring with the talents God gave us (v14-29).

The judgement (Sheep vs Goats)

From the place of abiding in Jesus, worship and praise … our hearts are changed to be the Sheep that will take care of the physical and spiritual needs of our fellow man. We need to have a personal relationship with the living God and speak to Him in prayer ourselves, read the Bible for ourselves and ask God to reveal Himself to us through the Holy Scriptures (Bible) … this is the place where the oil is from.

Without abiding in Jesus – we are mere goats, doomed to eternal punishment. We cannot buy the oil, this makes me think of following false prophets & teachers – thinking that you can buy your healing, your salvation by merely listening to and following what others say blindly. Test everything you hear against the Word of God (the Bible).

Prayer

Lord we acknowledge that need You to save us, as we cry out a hosanna to you, we deeply trust that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will help us to abide in You. We lift up a song of praise and ask that restore the joy in our hearts, fill us with Your love, that we might have peace and serve You faithfully. Amen

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PASTORA HESMA – JCRC CAPETOWN

Matthew 24: Don’t Be Deceived, Stay Alert, Be Ready

 

Matthew 24

Don’t be deceived, stay alert, be ready

SCRIPTURE

Mat 24:3–4(ESV): As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray.

Mat 24:42(ESV): Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. 

Mat 24:44 (ESV): Therefore, you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. 

OBSERVATION

As Jesus and His disciples left Jerusalem after their encounter with, and Jesus’s warning about the religious leaders they went up the Mount of Olives. Here the disciples asked Jesus about the signs of the times. Jesus did not answer them directly, but instead cautioned them and warned them not to be lead astray. Or in other words not to be mislead or not to be deceived.

As he describes to the disciples the signs of war among the nations, He encourages them to endure to the end and be saved (v13), that the end will only come when the Gospel has been preached to all the nations throughout the world (v14). Until then there will be tribulations, persecution, false prophets and messiah’s performing miracles and signs that will be visible in the world - these signs will lead many people away from Jesus towards the false prophets (v15-25).

There will be no uncertainty when Jesus, the real Messiah comes again as Matthew clearly explains that after the horrible days end, there will be darkness (v29), Jesus will appear in the heaven, arriving on a cloud of heaven with great power and glory (v30) and angels will be sent out sounding on trumpets to gather the chosen ones from across the earth.

Because Jesus loves His disciples, he warns them again (v36-44) that nobody will know when that day (v29-31) will be, only the Father knows. Therefore, as followers of Jesus we should be prepared and ready always for the coming of Jesus, as it will happen when it is least expected.

APPLICATION

Reading all of these scriptures can be overwhelming, but it should not be. Jesus clearly points us to be ready and prepared, because He loves us so much. When Jesus comes will you be ready?

The only way you and I can be ready is to obey Jesus, answer the call, when He knocks at the door of your heart, surrender your life to Him and ask Him to lead you to life everlasting.

When you have surrendered your life to Jesus, what can we do in the waiting for Jesus second coming, to stay prepared?

·       Continue praying and searching the heart of Jesus in relationship with Him (Abiding in Christ)

·       Continue the good works He called you to, taking care of one another

·       Read your Bible, get to know God’s Word

·       Preaching the gospel, healing the sick, casting out demons

·       Endure in hope, faith and love

PRAYER

Lord, thank you that you love us so much that you give the foresight about the times to come and warning us to be alert and ready. Where we fall short in our alertness and preparedness, we ask your forgiveness. Please help us by the power of the Holy Spirit to always be alert and prepared. Protect us from being deceived by the lies of the enemy. May we glorify you in everything we do. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

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PASTORA HESMA – JCRC CAPETOWN

MATTHEW 23 BEING CHRIST-LIKE

 Being Christ-like

Scripture

Matthew 23,1-4 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2“The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, 3so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. 4They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger. 5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, 6and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues, 7 and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. 

Observation

The Pharisees instruct others to do things that they do not practice themselves. They "tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear," and perform their deeds merely for the sake of being seen. In contrast, our Lord Jesus invites us to take His yoke upon us, which is easy and light. He calls us to learn from Him, for He is “gentle and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29-30). 

Application

Religion, in any form, and human-made traditions often stem from self-centered intentions that become burdensome for those who follow them. We were created to worship and please our Creator, and nothing else can fulfill our purpose. The only way to find true meaning in our lives is to be led by the Holy Spirit. This is our yoke— the one that unites us in Jesus, enabling us to fulfill His words: “whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do.”( Joh 14:12) We are called not to elevate ourselves above others or seek influence and dominance, but rather to glorify the name of Jesus through our actions and share what we have received through faith in our Savior, the Son of God.

Prayer

Lord, we come to You weary from carrying the heavy burdens of religious and human-made traditions that have left us feeling empty and frustrated along the way. Today, we desire to take on Your yoke and become like You—gentle and lowly in heart. Not by our own strength, but by the power of Your Holy Spirit dwelling in us, grant us rest and comfort as we walk together with Your church, doing the works You have done and even greater, as You have promised. In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus, we pray. Amen.

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Elder Johny - JCRC LATIN

Mathew 19: HARDENED HEART

 

Mathew 19:7

They said to Him, “Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?”8 He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 

 The Hardness of Heart (Divorce): Jesus states that Moses permitted divorce as a concession to the "hardness of your hearts”. This indicates a stubborn, calloused resistance to God's will and a disregard for His original design of permanence in marriage. This heart condition is not just about cruelty, but a deeper refusal to obedience of God's purpose. Matthew 19 provides insights into the human heart, it is prone to hardness, idolatry, and selfishness, while setting the standard for a transformed life. The core observation is that God's ideal (perfection/lifelong marriage) is often unmet due to human "hardness of heart"

 Mathew 19:16

Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”17So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but one, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”20The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”21Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

 

Mathew 5: 48

Therefore, you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

 

The Idolatry of the Heart (Rich Young Ruler): The rich young man's heart was divided. While he obeyed outward commands, he loved his possessions more than God. His heart was possessed by his possessions, identifying a condition where earthly wealth takes the place of God.

Reminder:

 Mathew 6: 24“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

The Need for Childlike Faith: Jesus contrasts the hard hearts of the Pharisees and the divided heart of the rich ruler with the heart of a child (Matthew 19:14).

Mathew 19:14

But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

The Kingdom belongs to those with a humbled, obedient, dependent trusted heart.

 Humble-put others above us, Love others (THE Agape Love), Pleases Dependent trusting heart-like a child depends on parents, we as children of God, depend on God who we call Abba Father.

Eziekiel 36:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things And desperately wicked;

 

Who can know it?

 

The Necessity of Spiritual Transformation: Matthew 19 implicitly highlights that a "hard, Idolatrous, divided heart cannot keep the law perfectly, requiring a transformation that only comes through Jesus (grace) rather than strict legalism, the disciples, witnessing this, realize that only God can change hearts to achieve such a high standard.

 

²⁶ I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26

 

The chapter shows that the natural human heart is prone to seeking loopholes (divorce) and putting earthly security (riches) before God. Jesus points back to the "beginning" (creation) to call for a return to a "soft" heart—one that is fully surrendered, humbled, loving, trusting, depended , and pleasing which is only possible through repentance ,inviting Jesus in your heart as LORD and SAVIOR so our Human heart has to die so Jesus heart in the spirit can live in me,(ALL OF ME)to flow through Me, than I am  not  trying to Follow Jesus but letting him lead, live  in us, his words in Mathew 19:28 when we obey, leave everything of this world we do not just inherit eternal life and even rewarded 100 folds .

Galations:20

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Let’s pray

10Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11Do not cast me away from Your presence,

And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

12Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,

And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

13Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,

And sinners shall be converted to You.

14Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,

The God of my salvation,

And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.

15O Lord, open my lips,

And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.

16For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;

You do not delight in burnt offering.

17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,

A broken and a contrite heart—

These, O God, You will not despise.

 

In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

 

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PASTORA KATHY – JCRC FIJI

MATTHEW 18: AS CHILDREN

 

 

MATTHEW 18:1-5 AS CHILDREN

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" 2 And Jesus called a child and set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, "Truly I say to you, unless you turn and become like little children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." 4 Whosoever therefore humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whosoever receives such a child in my name receives me.

LET'S ASK OURSELVES, WHAT IS A CHILD'S HEART LIKE?

·       Simple and pure.

·       Humble.

·       Absolute trust of the father.

·       Dependence on the father throughout his life.

God wants us to acknowledge our own littleness before the almighty Father, with spiritual innocence guarding healthy doctrine as a precious treasure, with the immediate ability to forgive, having a healthy heart toward others.

Jesus our only Lord gave as an example - a child to highlight the greatness of his kingdom that is not about ego, nor pride, but about a heart clean from the vain world that's far from God, and showing us that his kingdom is based on love and humility and not on power and vain glory. A malleable and open heart ready for the service and extension of his kingdom.

Prayer

Dear Father, I praise and acknowledge the wonders of your creation, Lord, make us like children with a simple heart never to depart from you, mold every heart willing to be moldable to your pure word, and to be kept and sown in every heart; may your church remain absolutely dependent on you, like children who depend on their Father for care, and assurance of your salvation.

Thank you  Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Amen.

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Elder Catalina  - JCRC Latin

SPANISH:  

 MATEO 18:1-5 COMO NIÑOS

En aquel tiempo los discípulos vinieron a Jesús, diciendo: ¿Quién es el mayor en el reino de los cielos? 2Y llamando Jesús a un niño, lo puso en medio de ellos, 3y dijo: De cierto os digo, que si no os volvéis y os hacéis como niños, no entraréis en el reino de los cielos. 4Así que, cualquiera que se humille como este niño, ese es el mayor en el reino de los cielos. 5Y cualquiera que reciba en mi nombre a un niño como este, a mí me recibe.

PREGUNTEMONOS ¿COMO ES EL CORAZON DE UN NIÑO?

·       Sencillo y puro.

·       Humilde.

·       Confianza absoluta del padre.

·       Dependencia al padre en toda su vida.

Dios quiere que reconozcamos nuestra propia pequeñez ante el padre todo poderoso, con la inocencia espiritual guardando la dotrina sana como un tesoro preciado, con la capacidad inmediata de perdonar, teniendo un corazón sano para con los demás.

Jesús nuestro único señor puso como ejemplo a un niño para resaltar la grandeza de su reino que no se trata de ego, ni orgullo, sino de un corazón limpio del mundo vano lejos de Dios, y mostrándonos que su reino se basa en amor y humildad y no en poder y vanagloria. Un corazón abierto moldeable dispuesto para el servicio y la extensión de su reino.

Oración

Padre amado, té alabo y reconozco las maravillas de tu creación, señor haznos como niños con un corazón sencillo para nunca nos apartarnos de ti, moldea cada corazón dispuesto a ser moldeable a tu palabra pura, y que se quede guardada y sembrada en cada corazón; que tu iglesia permanezca dependiendo absolutamente de ti, como niños que dependen de su padre para cuidado, y la seguridad de tu salvación.

Gracias señor padre, hijo y Espíritu Santo.

Amen.

Catalina iglesia latina.