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"I WILL"

There is a simple story contained in the gospel of St. Luke that recently caught my attention.  I haven't heard anyone use this story for the basis of a sermon or teaching before (although I'm sure many have), maybe because it is so very short and the narrative is very direct, but it is for those reasons that it stood out to me.   The story is about a leprous man who came to Jesus for healing.  "And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." (Luke 5:12 NKJV).  This man was in a desperate condition.  He didn't have just a touch of leprosy; he was full of leprosy.  His was an extreme case.  Without divine intervention, he likely didn't have much longer to live.  In his desperation he came and fell down at Jesus' feet, begging the Lord to make him clean.  Clearly, the man had faith that Jesus...
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THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT (PART 4)

  SECTION VIII ENTERING AT THE STRAIT GATE   JUDGING OTHERS   “Judge not, that ye be not judged.   For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” (Matthew 7:1, 2).   The question of whether or not Christians can or should judge others has been debated for centuries.   There are those who strictly believe that judging others is forbidden.   Besides the one command from the Savior that is quoted above, they direct us to many other places in scripture which speak plainly about not judging.   For instance, James wrote, “Speak not evil one of another, brethren.   He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge .” (James 4:11).   Paul tells us, “ Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for whe...
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THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT (PART 3)

SECTION VII OUR SECRET LIFE WITH GOD   Starting in the sixth chapter of Matthew, Jesus turns to the subject of our personal devotion to God.  He addresses three main areas: our charitable giving, our prayer life, and fasting.  Jesus then speaks at length about laying up treasures in heaven rather than upon earth, and trusting our heavenly Father for all of our daily needs.  The Lord puts an emphasis on the idea that all of these things should be done secretly, not openly for others to see.  When we boast of our dedication and service to God, or openly display our devotion and liberality so that others will see and admire us, we have received all the reward that we will ever get for those things.  Someone might say, “I don’t do those things for any rewards,” but I’m sure there is some satisfaction to the fleshly man when people praise us and notice the good that we do.  This is a twisty branch of pride that we all should avoid.  It is enough...
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