stoneshms.jpg - 54764 Bytes
Our Priority,

Our Philosophy,

Our Position,

Our Programs,

Our Physical LocationOutside Links-

Baptist Bastion,

Books and Bibles Online,

HomeSchool Sailor,

Fundamentally Basic,

Religions & Cults,

More Christian ResourcesSupported Missions,

Other Missions,

World Church DirectoryRecent Additions to Our Site
Home PageSermons in Type,

Sermons on Tape,

Doctrinal WritingsOur Pastor,

Our PeopleAsk the Pastor,

Pastors Pen Online,

Memorization,

Daily Devotions
galley.gif - 2962 Bytes
......................
Ask the Pastor
......................
red_tri.gif - 202 Bytes Pastor's Pen
......................
Memorization
......................


Quick Links
clear.gif - 808 Bytes
clear.gif - 808 BytesOur Priorities
clear.gif - 808 BytesOur Constitution
clear.gif - 808 BytesOur Pastor
clear.gif - 808 BytesOur Programs
clear.gif - 808 BytesOur Location
clear.gif - 808 BytesOur Missionaries

......................
Favorites
clear.gif - 808 Bytes
clear.gif - 808 BytesGoogle Search
clear.gif - 808 BytesAsk the Pastor
clear.gif - 808 BytesDoctrinal Writings
clear.gif - 808 BytesFresh Supplies

......................

Thank you for visiting. Please send spiritual comments to Pastor's Pen

......................

Please e-mail all other comments to WindJammer

......................

Ambassador Baptist Church
1926 Babcock Blvd
Pittsburgh, PA 15209
(412)477-3210
clear.gif - 808 Bytes
clear.gif - 808 Bytes clear.gif - 808 Bytes
Pastor's Pen - November 1, 2007
clear.gif - 808 Bytes pp.gif - 1611 Bytes clear.gif - 808 Bytes

November 1, 2007

Luke 19-20
Click above for full KJV Online

Thought for the day: previous - - - - - - - - - - - - next
Following Scripture Verses
Click above to go directly to TFD


Luke
Chapter 19
  1. And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho.
  2. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich.
  3. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.
  4. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.
  5. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
  6. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully.
  7. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.
  8. And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.
  9. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.
  10. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
  11. And as they heard these things, he added and spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear.
  12. He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.
  13. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.
  14. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.
  15. And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.
  16. Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.
  17. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
  18. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.
  19. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.
  20. And another came, saying, Lord, behold, here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin:
  21. For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up that thou layedst not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow.
  22. And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:
  23. Wherefore then gavest not thou my money into the bank, that at my coming I might have required mine own with usury?
  24. And he said unto them that stood by, Take from him the pound, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.
  25. (And they said unto him, Lord, he hath ten pounds.)
  26. For I say unto you, That unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him.
  27. But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
  28. And when he had thus spoken, he went before, ascending up to Jerusalem.
  29. And it came to pass, when he was come nigh to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount called the mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples,
  30. Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither.
  31. And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him.
  32. And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them.
  33. And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt?
  34. And they said, The Lord hath need of him.
  35. And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon.
  36. And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way.
  37. And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;
  38. Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.
  39. And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples.
  40. And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.
  41. And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,
  42. Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.
  43. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,
  44. And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.
  45. And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;
  46. Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.
  47. And he taught daily in the temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the chief of the people sought to destroy him,
  48. And could not find what they might do: for all the people were very attentive to hear him.


Back to Top


Luke
Chapter 20
  1. And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders,
  2. And spake unto him, saying, Tell us, by what authority doest thou these things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?
  3. And he answered and said unto them, I will also ask you one thing; and answer me:
  4. The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?
  5. And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then believed ye him not?
  6. But and if we say, Of men; all the people will stone us: for they be persuaded that John was a prophet.
  7. And they answered, that they could not tell whence it was.
  8. And Jesus said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.
  9. Then began he to speak to the people this parable; A certain man planted a vineyard, and let it forth to husbandmen, and went into a far country for a long time.
  10. And at the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard: but the husbandmen beat him, and sent him away empty.
  11. And again he sent another servant: and they beat him also, and entreated him shamefully, and sent him away empty.
  12. And again he sent a third: and they wounded him also, and cast him out.
  13. Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him.
  14. But when the husbandmen saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, This is the heir: come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.
  15. So they cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. What therefore shall the lord of the vineyard do unto them?
  16. He shall come and destroy these husbandmen, and shall give the vineyard to others. And when they heard it, they said, God forbid.
  17. And he beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?
  18. Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
  19. And the chief priests and the scribes the same hour sought to lay hands on him; and they feared the people: for they perceived that he had spoken this parable against them.
  20. And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor.
  21. And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly:
  22. Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no?
  23. But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me?
  24. Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's.
  25. And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.
  26. And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.
  27. Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him,
  28. Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.
  29. There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children.
  30. And the second took her to wife, and he died childless.
  31. And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died.
  32. Last of all the woman died also.
  33. Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife.
  34. And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage:
  35. But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:
  36. Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
  37. Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.
  38. For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.
  39. Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said.
  40. And after that they durst not ask him any question at all.
  41. And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David's son?
  42. And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
  43. Till I make thine enemies thy footstool.
  44. David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?
  45. Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples,
  46. Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;
  47. Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.


Back to Top


Thought for the day:
You may click on verses for Scripture


 Luke 19 opens with the familiar story of Zacchaeus. He was a leading publican who had stolen much money from his fellow citizens over the years through his unethical taxation policies. He is usually remembered for being short in stature. Unfortunately, this tends to be the focus of the story rather than his repentance and conversion. His relationship with the Lord will be the emphasis of our thoughts today.

 Zacchaeus had a great desire to see Jesus. The reason for this is not given directly in the Scriptures, but based upon Christ's statements to him and his responses, it seems evident that he knew that he had a need that only Christ could solve. Because of this, he determined to do whatever was necessary to get to the Lord. He was too short to see over the heads of the crowd, and too late to get up into the front row, so he took the only option left, which was to climb a sycomore tree along the route that Jesus was to take. There is a lesson here for us: we need to do whatever it takes to be with Jesus. While I understand that the Lord is available through prayer at any time, yet I believe that in a practical sense many Christians allow the things of life to keep them from the Master. They will allow inconvenience to become an excuse for not attending church or not spending time alone with God. They will allow other people to keep them from being and doing what they should. Zacchaeus knew that he needed to have contact with Jesus, and he determined that nothing was going to keep him away. Is this how you and I think? It needs to be.

 The narrative tells us that when Jesus passed the tree He called Zacchaeus to come down quickly because the Lord was going to his house that day. Once again Christ shows His purpose for being on earth: bringing sinners to Himself. In fact, He spells this out in verse 10:

"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."
Zacchaeus' response is important to show us his heart attitude. He responded to the Lord immediately and joyfully. Here we have instructions as to how we should respond tho the Lord's commands. When we know that there is something that the Lord wants us to do, we should get to it right away, and we should do it with an enthusiastic and rejoicing spirit.

 Later, Zachaeus stood before the Lord and said,

"Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold."
This reveals the repentance that Zacchaeus had. He did not simply invite Christ into his home, nor did he simply make a statement that he believed in Jesus. First of all, he showed a realization of sin. His use of the word "if" in verse 8 does not mean that he questioned whether or not he had taken advantage of people, but it was an acknowledgment that he was indeed a thief, Before anyone can come to Christ for salvation, or before a believer can get into a right relationship with the Lord, he must first admit his sinfulness. He can no longer excuse his actions by saying that they were a mistake, or that everyone else was doing it. He must change his mind about his lifestyle, and admit that he is a sinner. Second, Zachaeus showed his repentant heart by stating that he intended to make things right with those that he had sinned against. When we trespass against others, we not only need to make things right with God, but we also need to be reconciled to the one we trespassed against. This not only involves asking for forgiveness, but it also involves restitution. If a man says that he is sorry, and yet is disinterested in restoring (if possible) that which he has taken, then I believe that man's sorrow is suspect. A change of heart will result in a change of action towards those that we have offended. Third, Zachaeus shows his repentant heart by his desire to give half his goods to the poor. It is doubtful that he had robbed all those poor people, so he did not necessarily owe them anything. However, Zachaeus' greedy heart had been replaced by a loving heart, and now he was more interested in others than he was in himself.

 Christ's response was that salvation had come to the publican's home. True repentance leads to salvation, and salvation leads to a radical change of behavior. Zachaeus had it. Do you?

Pastor Mark J Montgomery

 previous - - - - - - - - - - - - next



Return to Top
Return to The Pastor's Pen
Return to The Galley
His Majesty's Service
Home of Ambassador Baptist Church
1926 Babcock Blvd
Pittsburgh, PA 15209
(412)477-3210
clear.gif - 808 Bytes