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About-Him Devotional 07-26-03
The life of Christ, from His baptism to His ascension, following the Harmony of the Gospels.
87: Cities Rebuked - Mt. 11:20-24 Matthew 11:20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not. 21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. 23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee. Jesus began to pronounce judgment and doom upon three cities where most of His works had been done, because they would not repent. I believe He spoke with the same sorrow which He demonstrated later when He wept over Jerusalem (Luke 13:34). It may have been these same people who moved Him to compassion because, "They fainted and were scattered abroad as sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36)." He had come into the world to save, rather than to condemn (John 3:17 ). However, we like these cities, will be damned if we reject His message of repentance and reconciliation. Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum were all located on the Sea of Galilee. Bethsaida was the home of Peter, Andrew and Philip. Capernaum was the home of Jesus when He called Peter and Andrew from their nets and Matthew from his customs booth. It was here that He had healed Peter's mother-in-law, paralytics and demoniacs. It would be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgement than for these cities, who had been offered great light, but who preferred to remain in darkness. Tyre and Sidon were Phoenician seaport cites on the Mediterranean coast. It was from these ports that world traders had at one time exported Jewish slaves. It was here that Jezebel introduced Baal worship to Israel. Ezekiel (chapters 28 -29) gives a vivid description of the great wealth and ultimate doom of these cities. It was because their heart was lifted up and they considered themselves to be sitting in the seat of God (Ezekiel 28:2). God allowed them to be besieged by Nebuchadnezzar, Alexander the Great and others. Conclusion and Application:
We know how that Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed for the very same sins that are prevalent in our society today. Jesus said that they would have repented if they had seen the works that He had done in Galilee. How do we stack up? We neglect our wicked and violent cities and concentrate our efforts exhorting the faithful in safe suburban churches. Do we notice that revivals are sweeping the third world countries that receive the gospel gladly, rather than our country that has heard the gospel so much that it has become commonplace? Our generation has more churches and more resources (books, schools, mass media, church real estate, etc. etc.) than any before us. If we do not repent we will share the same judgement as Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum. Greater privilege and greater light bring greater responsibility. Next Week: The Parable of the Two Debtors
In About-Him
A New Composition: Hope You Enjoy It.
I Just Don't Get It (How We Forget the Christ of Calvary)
RealAudio http://about-him.com/music/get_it.ram
Also another favorite old hymn
The Love of God
RealAudio - http://about-him.com/music/love_God.ram
You can catch up, or read ahead on The Life of Christ at http://about-him.com/life/life_01.html , where we have all the segments that we have written to date, compiled together.
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Humor
A Sunday School teacher decided to have her young class memorize one of the most quoted passages in the Bible...Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month to learn the verse.Little Bobby was excited about the task, but he just couldn't remember the Psalm.
After much practice, he could barely get past the first line. On the day that the kids were scheduled to recite Psalm 23 in front of the congregation, Bobby was so nervous. When it was his turn, he stepped up to the microphone and said proudly, "The Lord is my shepherd...and that's all I need to know!"
Quote
He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame - King Solomon
Keep Looking Up!
Don & Marie Spooner
About Him! Ministries
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