“Today,
Everyday Answering Christ's Homily Indeed Nurtures Greatly
Souls!(T.E.A.C.H.I.N.G.S)”
Ramesh C. Reddy
Publisher
SCRIPTURE:
“They went to Capernaum and when the
Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The
people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who
had authority, not as the teachers of the law." (Mark 1:21-22, NIV)
Observations:
I asked myself what do I learn about the
capability of Jesus?
1. Jesus was capable of going to Capernaum
with Peter, Andrew,
James, and John.
2. Jesus was capable of going into the synagogue.
3. Jesus was capable of teaching.
4. Jesus was capable of amazing the crowds with His teaching.
5. Jesus was capable of teaching as one who had authority.
I asked myself why do you think the people were
amazed with Jesus' teaching?
Because he taught them as one who had
authority, not as the teachers of the law.
Interpretations:
I asked myself why is it important that
Jesus was able to teach 'as one who had
authority, not as the teachers of the law'?
This is very important to realize
because Jesus is God incarnate and knew exactly what the people needed
to hear rather than what they wanted to hear. He gave them God's Word
every time He spoke and His Words had authority than what they were used
to listening from 'teachers of the law.' I believe Jesus was emphasizing
the message of grace that lost people were amazed by. This is not
something they would have gotten from the teachers of the law. Jesus was
also setting an example of what kind of teaching people needed to listen
to in the synagogue.
Implications:
I asked myself what are the important implications for my
own life?
I learned the importance of listening to the teachings of Jesus
because they are teachings with authority that can transform my
life. Jesus' teachings have power in my life when listened to and
followed. No wonder the people were amazed with His teachings
because they were so different from the teachers of the law. This
also reminded me that Jesus is more concerned with what I need to
hear than what I want to hear. In the synagogue, I believe Jesus
spread the message of grace that I need to spread too. There is a
reason that it is mentioned not as the teachers of the law which
means Jesus' message had a different kind of authority that should
be heeded and followed even now. Jesus is setting a powerful example
for me to follow the kind of teaching that I need to listen to at
church. It has to be biblical coming from the Word of God because
then I will be getting Jesus' teaching. Whatever is taught, it
cannot contradict God's whole message found in Genesis to
Revelation.
When I
hear God's Word then I am actually hearing God speaking to me from His
Word. I need to test what I hear from priests, pastors, reverends, etc
with the Word of God.
This also means to me that I need to know what the Word of God says
from Genesis to Revelation and believe 'Bible is the Word of God', not
'Bible becomes the Word of God' or 'Bible contains the Word of God'.
When I say Bible, I mean the Bible verses from Genesis to Revelation.
Unless I know God's Word, I cannot test what pastors preach.
All the teachings of man must be tested with Scripture and that's
what was different about Jesus. Jesus spoke with authority and the
authority of Scripture which He has revealed to humanity that we have
now known as the Bible.
I personally love to listen to teachings/sermons that focus directly on
God’s Word and is given in expositional format. Mostly, I look to see if
the person speaking to me is speaking from the Word of God and relating
it to current life or whatever is spoken can be backed up by Scripture.
For Scripture alone is right.
Proverbs 19 says, "Stop listening to teaching that contradicts what
you know is right!"
"All Scripture is divinely inspired by God and is useful for
teaching, correcting, and rebuking that the man of God may be
equipped to do every good work!" (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
I ask you now dear friend whose T.E.A.C.H.I.N.G.S do you actively listen to in life?
Dear friend, knowing whose teaching we intend to listen to is
very important for our Christian growth so we need to be part of a
church that believes the Bible is the Word of God from Genesis to
Revelation and has a desire for Jesus Christ to be known and be known by
Him. This
happens when the bishops/ pastors/ priests/ ministers, etc speak God’s
Word to the congregation than their own personal views.
With personal views can enter man
made traditions over God's Word and hurt the congregation more than help
it. Jesus spoke with authority because He was giving them the right
message as opposed to what they were getting from the teachers of the
law.
When you go to church and you hear a
pastor say something that conflicts with what you have known from God's
Word, don't just accept it just because that person is a pastor. Only
accept it after you have tested it with God's Word. Anything that is
contrary to God's Word is not valuable to take in no matter how
comfortable it makes you feel. If it is contrary to God's Word, the joy
and the message will not last.
This does not apply just to pastors
but anyone who teaches God's Word or shares about God's Word. People need to hear what God
wants them to hear rather than selective listening.
When I used to do
full-time ministry and put in 40-80 hrs/week, I wanted the students to
know that they could question me anytime if what I said was not in line
with the Word of God. I told others never have the attitude, "Ramesh
said it so it must be right since he is a campus minister'. I would tell
them to know God's Word and funnel even what I write or say through the
Word of God.
For that to happen, I encouraged them to seek the
Scriptures and study them. Even now when I share my devotional times
with others, I encourage them to do the same. I encourage you to ask me
any questions or give me any feedback on the devotionals you read.
"Dear friends,
do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they
are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the
world"(1 John 4:1)
Knowing and testing teachings is very important so you are not
deceived. Jesus spoke with authority and His authority amazed the people
because He was actually giving them the instruction manual He had put
together. Jesus knew the message to give based on what they needed
to hear and not what they wanted to hear because Jesus is the One that
created humanity and all that is in it.
Who better to go to learn about a creation than the Creator! Who
better to listen to about a creation than the Creator. Jesus created
each one of us because He is God and has been there from the beginning
of time. Jesus came to earth as God-incarnate to give us teachings and
redemption so that we can be saved.
Friend, the Bible teaches that you and I have been separated from God
because of our sin. Our sin created a big chasm between us and God.
There is no way we can reach God on our own. All the good works we think
we are doing so we can be accepted by God does not negate the fact of
the things we have done that have missed the mark of the standard set
before humanity but Adam and Eve failed and brought sin into this world
by their disobedience.
The Bible teaches that death came into this world through one man, Adam
and now life comes into this world through the Son of Man, Jesus Christ.
This life Christ wants to impart upon us is Eternal Life.
If someone gave you a pure glass of milk to drink but spit in it in
front of you, would you still drink it? Would you think to yourself it's okay to
drink it because it is 99.99% pure and only has 00.01% spit in it?
Sensible people would say, 'Of course not, it has been tainted with the
spit, it is not pure anymore.
The Bible teaches that God in His holiness cannot allow sin to enter
into His presence so it does not matter how good we think we have been
or what good we have done.
The 99.99% of the good things we do does not negate the fact of the
00.01% of bad things we have done, etc.
No matter how much good we do, it does not erase the bad. We cannot
think I will do this good to cover over the bad I have done. It is actually like putting a drop of
cyanide in water which does not make the water pure or like having a
white poster board with a black dot in the middle. The entire poster
board can be white but that black dot does not make the poster board
completely white. That is what sin has done to us.
But the Good News is the Bible teaches that
God loved us so much that
He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him shall not
perish but have Everlasting Life.
The Bible is talking about Jesus and His role to save humanity. Jesus
loves you so much that Jesus taught with authority to save those around
Him when they believe in Him for what He will do.
Friend, not only has Christ taught with authority but fulfilled prophesies from
the Old Testament of what would happen for the redemption of humanity.
To save you and me, Jesus Christ went to the cross at Calvary, shed
His precious cleansing blood to give us the antidote, was buried, and
came back to life on the 3rd day to save.
So, it is exciting to know that no other teaching can save us except
the teaching from the Word of God when we accept it. We learn as we read through the Word
that Jesus became our Sacrifice that we may be saved from the bondage of
sin and death when we accept the free gift of grace given to us.
While we were yet sinners Jesus died for us.
Now friend, when you accept Jesus into your heart, you are actually
accepting the Bridge provided for you to reach God. The chasm was
covered over by the Cross of Jesus Christ so that we can reach God.
Now when God sees us, He sees us covered in the Blood of Jesus Christ
and His judgment will pass over us. Yes friend, that is so exciting to
know that we are forgiven and saved because of what Jesus did for us
when we turn our lives over to Him. Friend, please join me in turning
your life over to Christ and asking Him to be the Lord and Savior of
your life, for He will.
Friend, Jesus loves you so much and His teachings are meant to give
you Eternal Life and save you but also to give you an abundant and
blessed life here on earth. This is not to say that we won't face
hardships for Jesus never promised that but did promise He will always
be with us.
Jesus said, "I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to
the Father except through me...You will face hardship and trouble but be
of good cheer for I have overcome the world!" (John 14:6, John 16, NIV)
In conclusion, I believe it is so important to be part of a Church
that puts a heavy emphasis on God's Word and Christ's redeeming
sacrifice for us, to justify us through Him and sanctify us by His
grace. Our prayer should be that we hear Christ's voice through the
messenger speaking His Word so today, everyday answering Christ's homily
indeed nurtures greatly souls!
"May my spoken words and
unspoken thoughts be pleasing even to you, O Lord my Rock and my
Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14)
I don’t know what church you are part of or if
you are looking for a church. There are many Bible-believing and
teaching churches in Pittsburgh. I personally know of two churches that I visited of which I am
part of one.
I highly
recommend Oakland International Fellowship on 134 North Dithridge
Street, Oakland, Pittsburgh, PA. It is the English congregation of the
Pittsburgh Chinese Church, Oakland with
Pastor Josh.
I love how the church
emphasizes DEEPER FAITH, STRONGER COMMUNITY, and GREATER IMPACT! Come as
you are and let Christ speak to you through His Word emphasized at
church.
"Today,
Everyday Answering Christ's Homily Indeed Nurtures Greatly Souls!" (T.E.A.C.H.I.N.G.S)/"Whose
T.E.A.C.H.I.N.G.S do you actively listen to in
life?"
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you
so much that we mean so much to you. You teach with authority and want
us to have your Word hidden in our hearts. Help us please to follow you
faithfully. I thank you so much Jesus. We give our lives to thee and ask
you to be in control of our lives. Help us to do your will please Lord.
Please forgive us of our sins, for we are sorry. Thank you so much
Jesus! Lord, thank you for your teachings in our lives. I thank
you that you enlist us. Lord, most of us are in the academic field
and learn a lot of stuff. Sometimes what we learn does not agree with
your Word. Help us to be able to take everything our
instructors/professors give and separate your Truth from them. Thank you
Lord you have allowed humanity to take part in so many academic fields
that can be used for your honor and glory as they are used to serve
humanity. Help me to use whatever I learn to bring honor and glory to
you. You remind me how you decided to use Andrew and Simon’s profession
to become fisherman for the souls of men. You can use our fields too to
bring you honor and glory and spread the Gospel. I thank you for that
Jesus. I entrust our lives into your care! Help us please to be part of
a church that will give us your teachings and your Word. I thank you for
that Jesus! Most of all help us learn from you as we study your Word
and meditate on it day and night. Let your desires become
our desires. Thank you so much Jesus! Thank you for hearing our prayers and answering us! In Your
Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!
Pray the
prayer below or use your own words to invite Jesus Christ into your
life and have a personal relationship with Him. Now is the time of
Salvation. Don't wait.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I read that you alone can give me access to Heaven and
be delivered from the bondage of sin and death. I want that Lord. I
believe you died on the cross for my sin and rose again to give me
new life. I believe your Blood shed on the cross saves me when I
turn to you. So I turn to you now with all that I am and ask you to
make something of my life for you. Please be my Lord and Personal
Savior. Please come into my heart and make my heart your home. Thank
you Jesus. Thank you for hearing my prayer and answering me. Thank
you for delivering me from my sin as I am sorry. I love you Jesus. I
need you. Help me Jesus! In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen!
No matter what you feel in your heart, know that Jesus has come in
and resides with you! You are not alone! To make your walk strong with
the Lord, spend time in prayer talking to Him as you would to a friend.
You don’t need special words to talk to the Lord. Spend time in His Word
reading Psalms and turning them into prayer. Next allow God to heal you
and speak to you through the Gospel of John or Gospel of Mark before
moving on to other Books of the Bible! Slowly, let the Lord show you to
which Scriptures He wants you to go to next. It is also important to be
part of a body of believers to help you grow in the faith. Find a Bible
believing church that preaches the Word of God from Genesis to
Revelation proclaiming Jesus Christ our crucified and risen Lord who
brings us hope, healing, and help!
May the Lord's presence and peace fill you with His love now and
forever! Amen!
Friend, if you have prayed this prayer and meant it in your heart, you
are a new creation in Christ and all old things are passed away and
everything has become new! You may feel something or may not but don’t
base it on feelings but base your new life in Christ on the promises of
our Savior who will never leave you nor forsake you! Amen!
Feel free to email
me at
reddy4hisglory@gmail.com
if you want to meet to study the Bible, pray with,
talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My number is
412-641-9426
"This is my
work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work
within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)
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