Today please be in prayer for:
18th Sunday after Pentecost/in Kingdomtide – Green
Sunday, 27 September 2015
Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22
Psalm 124
James 5:13-20
Mark 9:38-50
Lectionary Texts
Esther 7:1 So the king and Haman went to Queen Ester’s banquet; 2 and the king again said to Ester at the wine banquet, “Whatever your request, Queen Ester, you will be granted it; whatever you want, up to half the kingdom, it will be done.” 3 Ester the queen answered, “If I have won your favor, king, and if it pleases the king, then what I ask be given me is my own life and the lives of my people. 4 For we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, killed, exterminated. If we had only been sold as men- and women-slaves, I would have remained quiet; since then [our] trouble would not have been worth the damage it would have caused the king [to alter the situation].” 5 King Achashverosh asked Ester the queen, “Who is he? Where is the man who dared to do such a thing?” 6 Ester said, “A ruthless enemy — it’s this wicked Haman!” Haman stood aghast, terrified before the king and queen. 9 Harvonah, one of the king’s attendants, said, “Look! The gallows seventy-five feet high that Haman made for Mordekhai, who spoke only good for the king, is standing at Haman’s house.” The king said, “Hang him on it.” 10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordekhai. Then the king’s anger subsided.
9: 20 Mordekhai recorded these events and sent letters to all the Jews in all the provinces of King Achashverosh, both near and far, 21 instructing them to observe the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and the fifteenth day, every year, 22 [to commemorate] the days on which the Jews obtained rest from their enemies and the month which for them was turned from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; they were to make them days of celebrating and rejoicing, sending portions [of food] to each other and giving gifts to the poor.
9: 20 Mordekhai recorded these events and sent letters to all the Jews in all the provinces of King Achashverosh, both near and far, 21 instructing them to observe the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and the fifteenth day, every year, 22 [to commemorate] the days on which the Jews obtained rest from their enemies and the month which for them was turned from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; they were to make them days of celebrating and rejoicing, sending portions [of food] to each other and giving gifts to the poor.
Psalm 24:(0) By David. A psalm:
(1) The earth is Adonai’s, with all that is in it,
the world and those who live there;
2 for he set its foundations on the seas
and established it on the rivers.
3 Who may go up to the mountain of Adonai?
Who can stand in his holy place?
4 Those with clean hands and pure hearts,
who don’t make vanities the purpose of their lives
or swear oaths just to deceive.
5 They will receive a blessing from Adonai
and justice from God, who saves them.
6 Such is the character of those who seek him,
of Ya‘akov, who seeks your face. (Selah)
7 Lift up your heads, you gates!
Lift them up, everlasting doors,
so that the glorious king can enter!
8 Who is he, this glorious king?
Adonai, strong and mighty,
Adonai, mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, you gates!
Lift them up, everlasting doors,
so that the glorious king can enter!
10 Who is he, this glorious king?
Adonai-Tzva’ot —
he is the glorious king. (Selah)
James 3: 13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him demonstrate it by his good way of life, by actions done in the humility that grows out of wisdom. 14 But if you harbor in your hearts bitter jealousy and selfish ambition, don’t boast and attack the truth with lies! 15 This wisdom is not the kind that comes down from above; on the contrary, it is worldly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where there are jealousy and selfish ambition, there will be disharmony and every foul practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is, first of all, pure, then peaceful, kind, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 And peacemakers who sow seed in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
4:1 What is causing all the quarrels and fights among you? Isn’t it your desires battling inside you? 2 You desire things and don’t have them. You kill, and you are jealous, and you still can’t get them. So you fight and quarrel. The reason you don’t have is that you don’t pray! 3 Or you pray and don’t receive, because you pray with the wrong motive, that of wanting to indulge your own desires.
7 Therefore, submit to God. Moreover, take a stand against the Adversary, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and he will come close to you. Clean your hands, sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded people!
Mark 9: 38 Yochanan said to him, “Rabbi, we saw a man expelling demons in your name; and because he wasn’t one of us, we told him to stop.” 39 But Yeshua said, “Don’t stop him, because no one who works a miracle in my name will soon after be able to say something bad about me. 40 For whoever is not against us is for us. 41 Indeed, whoever gives you even a cup of water to drink because you come in the name of the Messiah — yes! I tell you that he will certainly not lose his reward.
42 “Whoever ensnares one of these little ones who trust me — it would be better for him to have a millstone hung around his neck and be thrown in the sea. 43 If your hand makes you sin, cut it off! Better that you should be maimed but obtain eternal life, rather than keep both hands and go to Gei-Hinnom, to unquenchable fire! 44 [Mark 9:44 Some manuscripts include identical verses 9:44, 46: where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. (Isaiah 66:24)] 45 And if your foot makes you sin, cut it off! Better that you should be lame but obtain eternal life, rather than keep both feet and be thrown into Gei-Hinnom! 46 [Mark 9:46 Some manuscripts include identical verses 9:44, 46: where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. (Isaiah 66:24)] 47 And if your eye makes you sin, pluck it out! Better that you should be one-eyed but enter the Kingdom of God, rather than keep both eyes and be thrown into Gei-Hinnom,
48 where their worm does not die,
and the fire is not quenched.[Mark 9:48 Isaiah 66:24]
49 Indeed, everyone is going to be salted with fire. 50 Salt is excellent, but if it loses its saltiness, how will you season it? So have salt in yourselves — that is, be at peace with each other.”
____________________________
(1) The earth is Adonai’s, with all that is in it,
the world and those who live there;
2 for he set its foundations on the seas
and established it on the rivers.
3 Who may go up to the mountain of Adonai?
Who can stand in his holy place?
4 Those with clean hands and pure hearts,
who don’t make vanities the purpose of their lives
or swear oaths just to deceive.
5 They will receive a blessing from Adonai
and justice from God, who saves them.
6 Such is the character of those who seek him,
of Ya‘akov, who seeks your face. (Selah)
7 Lift up your heads, you gates!
Lift them up, everlasting doors,
so that the glorious king can enter!
8 Who is he, this glorious king?
Adonai, strong and mighty,
Adonai, mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, you gates!
Lift them up, everlasting doors,
so that the glorious king can enter!
10 Who is he, this glorious king?
Adonai-Tzva’ot —
he is the glorious king. (Selah)
James 3: 13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him demonstrate it by his good way of life, by actions done in the humility that grows out of wisdom. 14 But if you harbor in your hearts bitter jealousy and selfish ambition, don’t boast and attack the truth with lies! 15 This wisdom is not the kind that comes down from above; on the contrary, it is worldly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where there are jealousy and selfish ambition, there will be disharmony and every foul practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is, first of all, pure, then peaceful, kind, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 And peacemakers who sow seed in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
4:1 What is causing all the quarrels and fights among you? Isn’t it your desires battling inside you? 2 You desire things and don’t have them. You kill, and you are jealous, and you still can’t get them. So you fight and quarrel. The reason you don’t have is that you don’t pray! 3 Or you pray and don’t receive, because you pray with the wrong motive, that of wanting to indulge your own desires.
7 Therefore, submit to God. Moreover, take a stand against the Adversary, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and he will come close to you. Clean your hands, sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded people!
Mark 9: 38 Yochanan said to him, “Rabbi, we saw a man expelling demons in your name; and because he wasn’t one of us, we told him to stop.” 39 But Yeshua said, “Don’t stop him, because no one who works a miracle in my name will soon after be able to say something bad about me. 40 For whoever is not against us is for us. 41 Indeed, whoever gives you even a cup of water to drink because you come in the name of the Messiah — yes! I tell you that he will certainly not lose his reward.
42 “Whoever ensnares one of these little ones who trust me — it would be better for him to have a millstone hung around his neck and be thrown in the sea. 43 If your hand makes you sin, cut it off! Better that you should be maimed but obtain eternal life, rather than keep both hands and go to Gei-Hinnom, to unquenchable fire! 44 [Mark 9:44 Some manuscripts include identical verses 9:44, 46: where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. (Isaiah 66:24)] 45 And if your foot makes you sin, cut it off! Better that you should be lame but obtain eternal life, rather than keep both feet and be thrown into Gei-Hinnom! 46 [Mark 9:46 Some manuscripts include identical verses 9:44, 46: where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. (Isaiah 66:24)] 47 And if your eye makes you sin, pluck it out! Better that you should be one-eyed but enter the Kingdom of God, rather than keep both eyes and be thrown into Gei-Hinnom,
48 where their worm does not die,
and the fire is not quenched.[Mark 9:48 Isaiah 66:24]
49 Indeed, everyone is going to be salted with fire. 50 Salt is excellent, but if it loses its saltiness, how will you season it? So have salt in yourselves — that is, be at peace with each other.”
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The John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22Esther 7:3
Then Queen Esther answered and said, "If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request.
My life - It is my only request, that thou wouldst not give me up to the malice of that man who designs to take away my life. Even a stranger, a criminal, shall be permitted to petition for his life. But that a friend, a wife, a queen, should have occasion to make such a petition, was very affecting.
Esther 7:4
"For we have been sold, my people and I, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. Had we been sold as male and female slaves, I would have held my tongue, although the enemy could never compensate for the king's loss."
Sold - By the cruelty of that man who offered a great sum to purchase our destruction. Countervail - His ten thousand talents would not repair the king's loss, in the customs and tributes which the king receives from the Jews, within his dominions.
Esther 7:5
So King Ahasuerus answered and said to Queen Esther, "Who is he, and where is he, who would dare presume in his heart to do such a thing?"
Who, . - The expressions are short and doubled, as proceeding from a discomposed and enraged mind. Durst - That is, to circumvent me, and procure a decree, whereby not only my estate should be so much impaired, and so many of my innocent subjects destroyed, but my queen also involved in the same destruction. We sometimes startle at that evil, which we ourselves are chargeable with. Ahasuerus is amazed at that wickedness, which he himself was guilty of. For he consented to the bloody edict. So that Esther might have said, Thou art the man!
Esther 7:6
And Esther said, "The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman" So Haman was terrified before the king and queen.
Afraid - And it was time for him to fear, when the queen was his prosecutor, the king his judge, his own conscience a witness against him. And the surprising turns of providence that very morning, could not but increase his fear.
Then Queen Esther answered and said, "If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request.
My life - It is my only request, that thou wouldst not give me up to the malice of that man who designs to take away my life. Even a stranger, a criminal, shall be permitted to petition for his life. But that a friend, a wife, a queen, should have occasion to make such a petition, was very affecting.
Esther 7:4
"For we have been sold, my people and I, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated. Had we been sold as male and female slaves, I would have held my tongue, although the enemy could never compensate for the king's loss."
Sold - By the cruelty of that man who offered a great sum to purchase our destruction. Countervail - His ten thousand talents would not repair the king's loss, in the customs and tributes which the king receives from the Jews, within his dominions.
Esther 7:5
So King Ahasuerus answered and said to Queen Esther, "Who is he, and where is he, who would dare presume in his heart to do such a thing?"
Who, . - The expressions are short and doubled, as proceeding from a discomposed and enraged mind. Durst - That is, to circumvent me, and procure a decree, whereby not only my estate should be so much impaired, and so many of my innocent subjects destroyed, but my queen also involved in the same destruction. We sometimes startle at that evil, which we ourselves are chargeable with. Ahasuerus is amazed at that wickedness, which he himself was guilty of. For he consented to the bloody edict. So that Esther might have said, Thou art the man!
Esther 7:6
And Esther said, "The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman" So Haman was terrified before the king and queen.
Afraid - And it was time for him to fear, when the queen was his prosecutor, the king his judge, his own conscience a witness against him. And the surprising turns of providence that very morning, could not but increase his fear.
Psalm 24
Psalms 24:2
For He has founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the waters.
Seas - The whole collection of waters, as well as the sea and the rivers running into it, as that great abyss of waters which is contained in the bowels of the earth.
Psalms 24:3
Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place?
The hill - Zion or Moriah, the place of God's sanctuary and special presence. Having asserted God's dominion over all mankind, he now proposes an important question, by whom God will be served, and his blessing enjoyed? Stand - To minister before him. Standing is the posture of ministers or servants. Who shall serve God, with God's acceptation. Holy place - In the place which he hath sanctified for his service.
Psalms 24:4
He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully.
He - Whose actions and conversation are holy and unblameable. Pure heart - Careful to approve itself to God, as well as to men; ordering a man's very thoughts and affections according to God's word. Vanity - Who doth not value or desire the vain things of this life, such as honours, riches, pleasures; but makes God his portion.
Psalms 24:5
He shall receive blessing from the Lord, And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
The blessing - Grace and glory, and all other good things.
Psalms 24:6
This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face. Selah
The generation - The true progeny which God regards. Face - His grace and favour, which is often called God's face.
Psalms 24:7
Lift up your heads, O you gates And be lifted up, you everlasting doors And the King of glory shall come in.
Lift up - He speaks here of the gates and doors of the temple, which by faith and the spirit of prophecy, he beheld as already built, whose doors he calls Everlasting, not so much because they were made of strong and durable materials, as in opposition to those of the tabernacle, which were removed from place to place. These gates he bids lift up their heads, or tops, by allusion to those gates which have a portcullis, which may be let down or taken up. And as the temple was a type of Christ, and of his church, and of heaven itself; so this place may also contain a representation, either of Christ's entrance into his church, or into the hearts of his faithful people, who are here commanded to set open their hearts and souls for his reception: or of his ascension into heaven, where the saints or angels are poetically introduced as preparing the way, and opening the heavenly gates to receive their Lord and king, returning to his royal habitation with triumph and glory.
The king - The Messiah, the king of Israel, and of his church, called the King, or Lord of glory, 2:8 2:1 , both for that glory which is inherent in him, andthat which is purchased by him for his members.
Psalms 24:8
Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle.
The Lord - He is no ordinary person, no other than Jehovah, who hath given so many proofs of his almightiness, who hath subdued all his enemies, and is now returned in triumph.
Psalms 24:9
Lift up your heads, O you gates Lift up, you everlasting doors And the King of glory shall come in.
Lift up - The same verse is repeated again, to awaken the dulness of mankind, who are so hardly brought to a serious preparation for such solemnities; and to signify the great importance of the matter, contained under these expressions.
Psalms 24:10
Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah
Of hosts - Under whose command are all the hosts of heaven and earth, angels and men, and all other creatures
James 3:13 – 4:3, 7-8a
James 3:13
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.
Let him show his wisdom as well as his faith by his works; not by words only.
James 3:14
But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.
If ye have bitter zeal - True Christian zeal is only the flame of love. Even in your hearts - Though it went no farther. Do not lie against the truth - As if such zeal could consist with heavenly wisdom.
James 3:15
This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.
This wisdom - Which is consistent with such zeal. Is earthly - Not heavenly; not from the Father of Lights. Animal - Not spiritual; not from the Spirit of God. Devilish - Not the gift of Christ, but such as Satan breathes into the soul.
James 3:17
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
But the wisdom from above is first pure - From all that is earthly, natural, devilish. Then peaceable - True peace attending purity, it is quiet, inoffensive. Gentle - Soft, mild, yielding, not rigid. Easy to he entreated - To be persuaded, or convinced; not stubborn, sour, or morose. Full of good fruits - Both in the heart and in the life, two of which are immediately specified. Without partiality - Loving all, without respect of persons; embracing all good things, rejecting all evil. And without dissimulation - Frank, open.
James 3:18
Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
And the principle productive of this righteousness is sown, like good seed, in the peace of a believer's mind, and brings forth a plentiful harvest of happiness, (which is the proper fruit of righteousness,) for them that make peace - That labour to promote this pure and holy peace among all men.
James 4:1
Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?
From whence come wars and fightings - Quarrels and wars among you, quite opposite to this peace? Is it not from your pleasures - Your desires of earthly pleasures. Which war - Against your souls. In your members - Here is the first seat of the war. Hence proceeds the war of man with man, king with king, nation with nation.
James 4:2
You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.
Ye kill - In your heart, for he that hateth his brother is a murderer. Ye fight and war - That is, furiously strive and contend. Ye ask not - And no marvel; for a man full of evil desire, of envy or hatred, cannot pray.
James 4:3
You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.
But if ye do ask, ye receive not, because ye ask amiss - That is, from a wrong motive. James 4:7
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Therefore by humbly submitting yourselves to God, resist the devil - The father of pride and envy.
James 4:8
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Then draw nigh to God in prayer, and he will draw nigh unto you, will hear you; which that nothing may hinder, cleanse your hands - Cease from doing evil. And purify your hearts - From all spiritual adultery. Be no more double minded, vainly endeavouring to serve both God and mammon.
Psalms 24:2
For He has founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the waters.
Seas - The whole collection of waters, as well as the sea and the rivers running into it, as that great abyss of waters which is contained in the bowels of the earth.
Psalms 24:3
Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place?
The hill - Zion or Moriah, the place of God's sanctuary and special presence. Having asserted God's dominion over all mankind, he now proposes an important question, by whom God will be served, and his blessing enjoyed? Stand - To minister before him. Standing is the posture of ministers or servants. Who shall serve God, with God's acceptation. Holy place - In the place which he hath sanctified for his service.
Psalms 24:4
He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully.
He - Whose actions and conversation are holy and unblameable. Pure heart - Careful to approve itself to God, as well as to men; ordering a man's very thoughts and affections according to God's word. Vanity - Who doth not value or desire the vain things of this life, such as honours, riches, pleasures; but makes God his portion.
Psalms 24:5
He shall receive blessing from the Lord, And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
The blessing - Grace and glory, and all other good things.
Psalms 24:6
This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face. Selah
The generation - The true progeny which God regards. Face - His grace and favour, which is often called God's face.
Psalms 24:7
Lift up your heads, O you gates And be lifted up, you everlasting doors And the King of glory shall come in.
Lift up - He speaks here of the gates and doors of the temple, which by faith and the spirit of prophecy, he beheld as already built, whose doors he calls Everlasting, not so much because they were made of strong and durable materials, as in opposition to those of the tabernacle, which were removed from place to place. These gates he bids lift up their heads, or tops, by allusion to those gates which have a portcullis, which may be let down or taken up. And as the temple was a type of Christ, and of his church, and of heaven itself; so this place may also contain a representation, either of Christ's entrance into his church, or into the hearts of his faithful people, who are here commanded to set open their hearts and souls for his reception: or of his ascension into heaven, where the saints or angels are poetically introduced as preparing the way, and opening the heavenly gates to receive their Lord and king, returning to his royal habitation with triumph and glory.
The king - The Messiah, the king of Israel, and of his church, called the King, or Lord of glory, 2:8 2:1 , both for that glory which is inherent in him, andthat which is purchased by him for his members.
Psalms 24:8
Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle.
The Lord - He is no ordinary person, no other than Jehovah, who hath given so many proofs of his almightiness, who hath subdued all his enemies, and is now returned in triumph.
Psalms 24:9
Lift up your heads, O you gates Lift up, you everlasting doors And the King of glory shall come in.
Lift up - The same verse is repeated again, to awaken the dulness of mankind, who are so hardly brought to a serious preparation for such solemnities; and to signify the great importance of the matter, contained under these expressions.
Psalms 24:10
Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah
Of hosts - Under whose command are all the hosts of heaven and earth, angels and men, and all other creatures
James 3:13 – 4:3, 7-8a
James 3:13
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.
Let him show his wisdom as well as his faith by his works; not by words only.
James 3:14
But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.
If ye have bitter zeal - True Christian zeal is only the flame of love. Even in your hearts - Though it went no farther. Do not lie against the truth - As if such zeal could consist with heavenly wisdom.
James 3:15
This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.
This wisdom - Which is consistent with such zeal. Is earthly - Not heavenly; not from the Father of Lights. Animal - Not spiritual; not from the Spirit of God. Devilish - Not the gift of Christ, but such as Satan breathes into the soul.
James 3:17
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
But the wisdom from above is first pure - From all that is earthly, natural, devilish. Then peaceable - True peace attending purity, it is quiet, inoffensive. Gentle - Soft, mild, yielding, not rigid. Easy to he entreated - To be persuaded, or convinced; not stubborn, sour, or morose. Full of good fruits - Both in the heart and in the life, two of which are immediately specified. Without partiality - Loving all, without respect of persons; embracing all good things, rejecting all evil. And without dissimulation - Frank, open.
James 3:18
Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
And the principle productive of this righteousness is sown, like good seed, in the peace of a believer's mind, and brings forth a plentiful harvest of happiness, (which is the proper fruit of righteousness,) for them that make peace - That labour to promote this pure and holy peace among all men.
James 4:1
Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?
From whence come wars and fightings - Quarrels and wars among you, quite opposite to this peace? Is it not from your pleasures - Your desires of earthly pleasures. Which war - Against your souls. In your members - Here is the first seat of the war. Hence proceeds the war of man with man, king with king, nation with nation.
James 4:2
You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.
Ye kill - In your heart, for he that hateth his brother is a murderer. Ye fight and war - That is, furiously strive and contend. Ye ask not - And no marvel; for a man full of evil desire, of envy or hatred, cannot pray.
James 4:3
You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.
But if ye do ask, ye receive not, because ye ask amiss - That is, from a wrong motive. James 4:7
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Therefore by humbly submitting yourselves to God, resist the devil - The father of pride and envy.
James 4:8
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Then draw nigh to God in prayer, and he will draw nigh unto you, will hear you; which that nothing may hinder, cleanse your hands - Cease from doing evil. And purify your hearts - From all spiritual adultery. Be no more double minded, vainly endeavouring to serve both God and mammon.
Mark 9:38-50
Mark 9:38
Now John answered Him, saying, "Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us."
And John answered him - As if he had said, But ought we to receive those who follow not us? Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name - Probably this was one of John the Baptist's disciples, who believed in Jesus, though he did not yet associate with our Lord's disciples. And we forbad him, because he followeth not us - How often is the same temper found in us? How readily do we also lust to envy? But how does that spirit become a disciple, much more a minister of the benevolent Jesus! St. Paul had learnt a better temper, when he rejoiced that Christ was preached, even by those who were his personal enemies.
But to confine religion to them that follow us, is a narrowness of spirit which we should avoid and abhor. Luke 9:49 .
Mark 9:39
But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me.
Jesus said - Christ here gives us a lovely example of candour and moderation. He was willing to put the best construction on doubtful cases, and to treat as friends those who were not avowed enemies. Perhaps in this instance it was a means of conquering the remainder of prejudice, and perfecting what was wanting in the faith and obedience of these persons. Forbid him not - Neither directly nor indirectly discourage or hinder any man who brings sinners from the power of Satan to God, because he followeth not us, in opinions, modes of worship, or any thing else which does not affect the essence of religion.
Mrk 9:40
"For he who is not against us is on our side.
For he that is not against you, is for you - Our Lord had formerly said, he that is not with me, is against me: thereby admonishing his hearers, that the war between him and Satan admitted of no neutrality, and that those who were indifferent to him now, would finally be treated as enemies. But here in another view, he uses a very different proverb; directing his followers to judge of men's characters in the most candid manner; and charitably to hope that those who did not oppose his cause wished well to it. Upon the whole, we are to be rigorous in judging ourselves, and candid in judging each other.
Mark 9:41
"For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.
For whosoever shall give you a cup - Having answered St. John, our Lord here resumes the discourse which was broken off at the 37th verse. Mark 9:37 . Matthew 10:42 .
Mark 9:42
"But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.
On the contrary, whosoever shall offend the very least Christian. Matthew 18:6 ; Lu 17:1.
Mark 9:43
"If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched
And if a person cause thee to offend - (The discourse passes from the case of offending, to that of being offended) if one who is as useful or dear to thee as a hand or eye, hinder or slacken thee in the ways of Cod, renounce all intercourse with him. This primarily relates to persons, secondarily to things. Matthew 5:29 ; Mt 18:8.
Mark 9:44
where 'Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.'
Where their worm - That gnaweth the soul, (pride, self will, desire, malice, envy, shame, sorrow, despair,) dieth not - No more than the soul itself: and the fire (either material, or infinitely worse!) that tormenteth the body, is not quenched for ever. Isaiah 66:24 .
Mark 9:49
"For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt.
Every one - Who does not cut off the offending member, and consequently is cast into hell, shall be, as it were, salted with fire, preserved, not consumed thereby whereas every acceptable sacrifice shall be salted with another kind of salt, even that of Divine grace, which purifies the soul, (though frequently with pain) and preserves it from corruption.
Mark 9:50
"Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another."
Such salt is good indeed; highly beneficial to the world, in respect of which I have termed you the salt of the earth. But if the salt which should season others, have lost its own saltness, wherewith will ye season it? - Beware of this; see that ye retain your savour; and as a proof of it, have peace one with another. More largely this obscure text might be paraphrased thus: - As every burnt offering was salted with salt, in order to its being cast into the fire of the altar, so every one who will not part with his hand or eye, shall fall a sacrifice to Divine justice, and be cast into hell fire, which will not consume, but preserve him from a cessation of being.
And on the other hand, every one, who, denying himself and taking up his cross, offers up himself as a living sacrifice to God, shall be seasoned with grace, which like salt will make him savoury, and preserve him from destruction for ever. As salt is good for preserving meats, and making them savoury, so it is good that ye be seasoned with grace, for the purifying your hearts and lives, and for spreading the savour of my knowledge, both in your own souls, and wherever ye go. But as salt if it loses its saltness is fit for nothing, so ye, if ye lose your faith and love, are fit for nothing but to be utterly destroyed.
See therefore that grace abide in you, and that ye no more contend, Who shall be greatest. Matthew 5:13 ; Lu 14:34.
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Mark 9:38
Now John answered Him, saying, "Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us."
And John answered him - As if he had said, But ought we to receive those who follow not us? Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name - Probably this was one of John the Baptist's disciples, who believed in Jesus, though he did not yet associate with our Lord's disciples. And we forbad him, because he followeth not us - How often is the same temper found in us? How readily do we also lust to envy? But how does that spirit become a disciple, much more a minister of the benevolent Jesus! St. Paul had learnt a better temper, when he rejoiced that Christ was preached, even by those who were his personal enemies.
But to confine religion to them that follow us, is a narrowness of spirit which we should avoid and abhor. Luke 9:49 .
Mark 9:39
But Jesus said, "Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me.
Jesus said - Christ here gives us a lovely example of candour and moderation. He was willing to put the best construction on doubtful cases, and to treat as friends those who were not avowed enemies. Perhaps in this instance it was a means of conquering the remainder of prejudice, and perfecting what was wanting in the faith and obedience of these persons. Forbid him not - Neither directly nor indirectly discourage or hinder any man who brings sinners from the power of Satan to God, because he followeth not us, in opinions, modes of worship, or any thing else which does not affect the essence of religion.
Mrk 9:40
"For he who is not against us is on our side.
For he that is not against you, is for you - Our Lord had formerly said, he that is not with me, is against me: thereby admonishing his hearers, that the war between him and Satan admitted of no neutrality, and that those who were indifferent to him now, would finally be treated as enemies. But here in another view, he uses a very different proverb; directing his followers to judge of men's characters in the most candid manner; and charitably to hope that those who did not oppose his cause wished well to it. Upon the whole, we are to be rigorous in judging ourselves, and candid in judging each other.
Mark 9:41
"For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.
For whosoever shall give you a cup - Having answered St. John, our Lord here resumes the discourse which was broken off at the 37th verse. Mark 9:37 . Matthew 10:42 .
Mark 9:42
"But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.
On the contrary, whosoever shall offend the very least Christian. Matthew 18:6 ; Lu 17:1.
Mark 9:43
"If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched
And if a person cause thee to offend - (The discourse passes from the case of offending, to that of being offended) if one who is as useful or dear to thee as a hand or eye, hinder or slacken thee in the ways of Cod, renounce all intercourse with him. This primarily relates to persons, secondarily to things. Matthew 5:29 ; Mt 18:8.
Mark 9:44
where 'Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.'
Where their worm - That gnaweth the soul, (pride, self will, desire, malice, envy, shame, sorrow, despair,) dieth not - No more than the soul itself: and the fire (either material, or infinitely worse!) that tormenteth the body, is not quenched for ever. Isaiah 66:24 .
Mark 9:49
"For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt.
Every one - Who does not cut off the offending member, and consequently is cast into hell, shall be, as it were, salted with fire, preserved, not consumed thereby whereas every acceptable sacrifice shall be salted with another kind of salt, even that of Divine grace, which purifies the soul, (though frequently with pain) and preserves it from corruption.
Mark 9:50
"Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another."
Such salt is good indeed; highly beneficial to the world, in respect of which I have termed you the salt of the earth. But if the salt which should season others, have lost its own saltness, wherewith will ye season it? - Beware of this; see that ye retain your savour; and as a proof of it, have peace one with another. More largely this obscure text might be paraphrased thus: - As every burnt offering was salted with salt, in order to its being cast into the fire of the altar, so every one who will not part with his hand or eye, shall fall a sacrifice to Divine justice, and be cast into hell fire, which will not consume, but preserve him from a cessation of being.
And on the other hand, every one, who, denying himself and taking up his cross, offers up himself as a living sacrifice to God, shall be seasoned with grace, which like salt will make him savoury, and preserve him from destruction for ever. As salt is good for preserving meats, and making them savoury, so it is good that ye be seasoned with grace, for the purifying your hearts and lives, and for spreading the savour of my knowledge, both in your own souls, and wherever ye go. But as salt if it loses its saltness is fit for nothing, so ye, if ye lose your faith and love, are fit for nothing but to be utterly destroyed.
See therefore that grace abide in you, and that ye no more contend, Who shall be greatest. Matthew 5:13 ; Lu 14:34.
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PO Box 340004
Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004, United States
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Sermon Story "Remembering" by Gary Lee Parker for Sunday, 27 September 2015 with Scripture: Esther 7:1 So the king and Haman went to Queen Ester’s banquet; 2 and the king again said to Ester at the wine banquet, “Whatever your request, Queen Ester, you will be granted it; whatever you want, up to half the kingdom, it will be done.” 3 Ester the queen answered, “If I have won your favor, king, and if it pleases the king, then what I ask be given me is my own life and the lives of my people. 4 For we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, killed, exterminated. If we had only been sold as men- and women-slaves, I would have remained quiet; since then [our] trouble would not have been worth the damage it would have caused the king [to alter the situation].” 5 King Achashverosh asked Ester the queen, “Who is he? Where is the man who dared to do such a thing?” 6 Ester said, “A ruthless enemy — it’s this wicked Haman!” Haman stood aghast, terrified before the king and queen. 9 Harvonah, one of the king’s attendants, said, “Look! The gallows seventy-five feet high that Haman made for Mordekhai, who spoke only good for the king, is standing at Haman’s house.” The king said, “Hang him on it.” 10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordekhai. Then the king’s anger subsided.
9: 20 Mordekhai recorded these events and sent letters to all the Jews in all the provinces of King Achashverosh, both near and far, 21 instructing them to observe the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and the fifteenth day, every year, 22 [to commemorate] the days on which the Jews obtained rest from their enemies and the month which for them was turned from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; they were to make them days of celebrating and rejoicing, sending portions [of food] to each other and giving gifts to the poor.
Esther! A young Jewish virgin girl who was raised by her cousin, Mordecai, after her parents were killed or died during the sacking of Jerusalem and the removal of the Jews from their homeland. This Jewish girl became the choice of the king after his other queen was dispossessed from her queenship due to her disobedience to the king's orders. After Esther became king and Mordecai saved the king from an assasination attempt by two of his men, another leader planned to have all the Jews killed with the king's approval due to lack of respect Naham received from Mordecai. When Mordecai told Esther the plot to kill their people, they took time to fast and pray before the queen went before the king unannounced where she was delivered and invited the king and Haman to a banquet. At the second banquet, Esther reviewed the evil plot by Haman to kill her people including her and Haman was ordered to be hanged on the same gallows he built to hang Mordecai on. After some time and all the enemies were killed or repented, there was a two celebration to remember the deliverance of the Jewish from their death by their enemies. This elebration has been known as Purim and is still celebrated today. Today, there are people whether immimigrants or same sexual orientation or blacks or people are disabled delivered from their oppression or lack of equality. Yes, more has to be done yet we can still celebrate the freedoms we have received from our opprssor. Yes, this is the time to celebrate as we come forward to eat the Body of Jesus and drink His Blood through the Holy Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. We come to receive more of God to be and do more for equal equality for all people singing the Hymn "Remember me" by John Newton
1. Jesus the Truth, the Life, the Way,
Unworthy though I be,
I trust since thou hast bid me pray
Thou wilt remember me.
2. Thou who didst bleed, and groan, and die,
From guilt to set me free,
In glory now, enthroned on high
Will still remember me.
3. When tempest tossed with care, my breast
Is like the troubled sea,
Sweet peace shall hush the storm to rest
If Thou remember me.
4. My former friends regard me not
Since I have followed Thee,
But let me be by them forgot
So Thou remember me.
5. When I was bound and chained in sin
Thy mercy set me free.
And each day since, a proof has been
Thou dost remember me.
6. I hope though now my time of death
Unable to foresee
To say, when yielding up my breath
Now Lord, remember me.
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9: 20 Mordekhai recorded these events and sent letters to all the Jews in all the provinces of King Achashverosh, both near and far, 21 instructing them to observe the fourteenth day of the month of Adar and the fifteenth day, every year, 22 [to commemorate] the days on which the Jews obtained rest from their enemies and the month which for them was turned from sorrow into gladness and from mourning into a holiday; they were to make them days of celebrating and rejoicing, sending portions [of food] to each other and giving gifts to the poor.
Esther! A young Jewish virgin girl who was raised by her cousin, Mordecai, after her parents were killed or died during the sacking of Jerusalem and the removal of the Jews from their homeland. This Jewish girl became the choice of the king after his other queen was dispossessed from her queenship due to her disobedience to the king's orders. After Esther became king and Mordecai saved the king from an assasination attempt by two of his men, another leader planned to have all the Jews killed with the king's approval due to lack of respect Naham received from Mordecai. When Mordecai told Esther the plot to kill their people, they took time to fast and pray before the queen went before the king unannounced where she was delivered and invited the king and Haman to a banquet. At the second banquet, Esther reviewed the evil plot by Haman to kill her people including her and Haman was ordered to be hanged on the same gallows he built to hang Mordecai on. After some time and all the enemies were killed or repented, there was a two celebration to remember the deliverance of the Jewish from their death by their enemies. This elebration has been known as Purim and is still celebrated today. Today, there are people whether immimigrants or same sexual orientation or blacks or people are disabled delivered from their oppression or lack of equality. Yes, more has to be done yet we can still celebrate the freedoms we have received from our opprssor. Yes, this is the time to celebrate as we come forward to eat the Body of Jesus and drink His Blood through the Holy Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. We come to receive more of God to be and do more for equal equality for all people singing the Hymn "Remember me" by John Newton
1. Jesus the Truth, the Life, the Way,
Unworthy though I be,
I trust since thou hast bid me pray
Thou wilt remember me.
2. Thou who didst bleed, and groan, and die,
From guilt to set me free,
In glory now, enthroned on high
Will still remember me.
3. When tempest tossed with care, my breast
Is like the troubled sea,
Sweet peace shall hush the storm to rest
If Thou remember me.
4. My former friends regard me not
Since I have followed Thee,
But let me be by them forgot
So Thou remember me.
5. When I was bound and chained in sin
Thy mercy set me free.
And each day since, a proof has been
Thou dost remember me.
6. I hope though now my time of death
Unable to foresee
To say, when yielding up my breath
Now Lord, remember me.
____________________________
Gary Lee Parker
4147 Idaho Street, Apt. 1
San Diego, California 92104-1844, United States
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The Upper Room Daily Devotional from Nashville, Tennessee, United States "Faith and Worldliness" for Monday, 28 September 2015 - Scripture: Philippians 3:18 For many — I have told you about them often before, and even now I say it with tears — live as enemies of the Messiah’s execution-stake. 19 They are headed for destruction! Their god is the belly; they are proud of what they ought to be ashamed of, since they are concerned about the things of the world. 20 But we are citizens of heaven, and it is from there that we expect a Deliverer, the Lord Yeshua the Messiah. 21 He will change the bodies we have in this humble state and make them like his glorious body, using the power which enables him to bring everything under his control.Paul wrote, “I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.”[Romans 1:8 (NIV)]
In the first century, Rome was the most influential city in the world. While earthly wealth, wisdom, and abundant pleasures caused many believers to grow stagnant or to fall away from their faith, the Roman believers remained strong. Their faith was so strong that the world at large took notice. Paul wrote to them: “I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.” What a testimony for future generations!
What would Paul say to me? Would he commend me, or would he see that I have put too much confidence in my worldly possessions? In our reading for today, Paul cautions us to focus on Christ’s desires for our lives and not on all the earthly pleasures that surround us. The treasure that is our faith in Christ should far outshine all the world has to offer.Read more from the author, here.
"Faith and Worldliness"
I love backpacking.
If you had told me 20 years ago that those words would escape from my mouth, I would have thought you had mistaken me for someone else. But I am married to a guy who loves the great outdoors, and God saw fit to give us three adventurous sons as well.
Several years ago, my hubby convinced me to go backpacking with him. The night before our trip when I was stuffing all of my belongings into a bag no bigger than the gallon of milk in my fridge, I shed a few tears. What was I thinking when I agreed to such a thing?
But I survived two nights of sleeping on the ground and drinking water filtered out of rivers and streams we passed on our journey. And I came out on the other end of it feeling as though my eyes had been opened to a new me. I didn’t realize I was capable of so much!
We’ve since added our boys to the backpacking equation and took our second overnight family backpacking trip this summer (see the picture below). It is hard work. We get sweaty and dirty, we reek of bug spray and we commiserate about sore muscles and blistered toes. But we also awe over the beauty of God’s creation, and when we reach our destination, we feel such a sense of accomplishment (and joy that we will soon have the opportunity to shower and sit down for pizza!)
Perhaps the greatest benefit of backpacking is that it takes us away from the distractions of this world.
We all love the comforts of home. The air conditioning, the comfy couches, the wonderful world of the internet, and movie nights with popcorn. But when we take ourselves away from those worldly treasures, even if it is just for a little while, we start thinking about our true treasure. God, our creator, and his son, Jesus Christ.
I wondered in today’s devotional what Paul might say to me if he saw the way I live. In all honesty, I think he would find that I lean too much on worldly treasure. But though it is a challenge for me to let go of the world and rest completely in my Savior, I will continue to put myself out of my comfort zone and away from my material stuff in order to be reminded that though God has given me many beautiful earthly things, it is not in them that my treasure lies. May I always find my treasure in the giver and not the gift.
If you are interested in connecting with me online, you can find me on Today’s Christian Woman where I am a contributing writer, at kimharms.net or on twitter at @kimharmsboymom.[Kim Harms]
The Author: Kimberly Harms (Iowa, USA)
Thought for the Day: Christ’s example keeps us focused on living faithfully.
Prayer: Dear Lord, give us faith strong enough to shine a spotlight on you in the midst of all the shiny treasures in the world. Amen.
Prayer focus: Someone who has been a good example for me____________________________
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