Not all who say they follow me are saved

Posted on December 27, 2014 by betsybeadhead | Leave a comment

Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and ignore what I say? Calling on my name will not get you into heaven. Only someone who does the will of God will enter the kingdom of heaven. On the day of judgment, many will say “Lord we prophesied, did miracles, and drove out demons in your name.” Yet I will say “I never knew you. Get away from me, you evildoers!”

Those who hear what I have to say and act upon it are like the man who built his house on a solid foundation of rock. When the storm comes with strong winds and buckets of rain, it crashes against the house but the house stands firm because it is built on a solid foundation. Those who listen to my message and don’t act upon it are like the man who built his house on top of sand. When the storm came the house was completely destroyed.

Those who were listening to Jesus were completely amazed, because he spoke like a person with authority, not like one of their religious leaders.

MT 7:21-29, LK 6:46-49

A tree and its fruit

Posted on December 27, 2014 by betsybeadhead | Leave a comment

You know trees by their fruit. Healthy trees make good fruit, and sick trees don’t. Likewise, is it possible to get grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? Be on the watch for false teachers who pretend they are innocent sheep, when really they are dangerous wolves, eager to tear you apart.

What you have stored up in your heart determines what you say. The good man’s speech proves that he has goodness within him. An evil man is filled with poison and his words reflect that. Evil people are as dangerous as a nest of snakes. It isn’t possible for evil people to speak the truth.

When judgment day comes you will have to give account for every word you have spoken. What you say now impacts on your fate then. Either you will be justified by your words or you will be condemned, just like how a tree that doesn’t produces good fruit is cut down and burned.

MT 12:33-37, MT 7:15-20, LK 6:43-45

Driving out demons (a divided house)

Posted on December 27, 2014 by betsybeadhead | Leave a comment

A man who was possessed by a demon was brought to Jesus. The demon had made him blind and unable to speak. When Jesus healed him, he was suddenly able to speak and see again. The crowds were amazed, saying “We’ve never seen this in Israel. Perhaps this is the son of King David!”

When the Pharisees heard about this they said “This man drives out demons with Beelzebub.” Some, to test him, were demanding to see him perform a miracle. Even his own family thought he was crazy.

Jesus knew their thoughts and said “A divided kingdom cannot stand. No one can enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Thus, if the king of demons drives out demons he is fighting against himself. How can his kingdom stand then? If I drive out demons by the king of demons who is it that your own people drive them out by? Accuse them of the same thing you accuse me of! Now, if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then this is proof that the kingdom of God has arrived among you.”

“People will be forgiven for whatever they do and whatever they say unless they speak against the Holy Spirit. That is unforgivable. Anyone who is not with me is against me, and scatters rather than gathers.” He said this because they were saying he had an evil spirit in him.

MT 9:32-34, MT 12:22-32, MK 3:20-30, LK 11:14-23, LK 12.10