The Sower's Bible Studies: Matthew

Message Nineteen: Blessed Are The Meek

2011-02-03T10:15:00.000-08:00

Matthew 5:5

A woman was helping her husband select a new suit, but the two disagreed over the one to be chosen. “Very well,” cried the wife, “go ahead and please yourself. After all, you’re the one who’ll wear the suit.” “Well, dear,” replied the husband, “I did figure that I’d be wearing the coat and vest.” “That husband,” said the man who told me the joke, “is what I call a meek man.”
But that’s not the meaning of the word “meek” in the Bible. And the Lord Jesus didn’t have such a person in mind when He said, “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”

The word “meek” signifies a spirit of regulation. It describes an animal which has been tamed. It’s used of a horse which has become obedient to the reins, or of a dog who has been taught to obey. It describes a creature that’s under control. So a meek person is one who’s controlled by Christ. He’s spirited, but he’s under the control of the Holy Spirit; therefore he’s not shiftless. He’s lion-hearted, but he’s under the control of the Lord; therefore he’s not loose. The Savior does in the spiritual realm what science does in the physical realm. Science takes a Niagara River and transforms its turbulence into electrical energy to give us heat, light and power. The Lord took Matthew who was one of the crookedest crooks and made him into one of the saintliest saints. One day the Lord Jesus said to him, “Follow Me!” Instantly he left his thieving for teaching, he exchanged his wretchedness to write the book of Matthew. “Once a thief, always a thief?” Oh, no; not when the Lord transforms him into a real preacher. Think of Peter. The salty, hostile hands of the cursing sinner became the soft, healing hands of a Christlike saint. He took that diamond in the rough, and transformed and tamed him. Yes, when you submit yourself to the claims of Christ, your untamed nature is brought under His control, and you’ll become meek–tamed–fit for the Master’s use.

The word “meek” signifies a spirit of resignation. You see it in Job. He was the richest cattleman in his day. But one day a messenger rushed to his home, saying, “Your oxen were plowing, with donkeys feeding beside them, when the Sabeans raided us, drove away the animals and killed all the farmhands except me. I am the only one left.” While his messenger was still speaking, another arrived with more bad news, saying, “The fire of God has fallen from heaven and burned up all your sheep and all the herdsmen, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” Before he finished, another messenger rushed in, saying, “Three bands of Chaldeans have driven off your camels and killed your servants, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” As he was still speaking, another said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting in the oldest brother’s home, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in and engulfed the house so that the roof fell in on them and all are dead; and I alone escaped to tell you.” Then Job fell down upon the ground and said, “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” You see this attitude of resignation in Paul. Threatening with every breath and eager to destroy every Christian, he hurried to Damascus to bring the Christians in chains to Jerusalem. As he was nearing Damascus, suddenly a brilliant light from heaven spotted down upon him. He fell to the ground with all resistance broken, asking, “Lord what wilt Thou have me to do?” The meek man is the one who says to the Lord, “Not as I will, but as Thou wilt. Thy will be done.”

The word “meek” signifies a spirit of respect. The meek man is always angry at the right time and never angry at the wrong time. He heeds the Bible verse, “Be angry and sin not.” When anger is for your own sake, it’s wrong. When it’s for the sake of others, it’s right. Look at Jesus. He was never angry at the insults and injuries He received. But His eyes blazed with anger when He saw the money-changers in His Master’s house. His anger wasn’t destructive but saving, not lacerating but healing.

The word “meek” signifies a spirit of reasonableness. It’s humble, not haughty. When Sammy Morris left Africa for America to train for Christian service, he came to a Christian college. When the President of the University asked him what room he wanted, Sammy replied, “If there’s a room nobody wants, give it to me.” That’s meekness. And the Bible says, “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”

“Is the Lord speaking of a place?” you wonder. Oh, He’ll fill to the full all your needs. But in addition, He’ll give you His peace that nothing can destroy, and He’ll give you His power that no one can defeat.

But it’s not in our nature to be meek. That’s why our Lord said, “You must be born again.” Come to the Lord. That’s the first step. Then commit yourself to the Lord. That’s the second step. As you’re governed and guided by Him, He’ll give you everything you need, and you’ll enter into the happy life which He has promised and which He alone can give.
copyright 2000 Guido Evangelistic Association

All Scripture verses are quoted from the New King James Version.

This series of messages on the books of the Bible were originally written for broadcast on Dr. Guido's radio program, "The Sower." They are collected and reprinted here for your enjoyment and spiritual edification. Go to the Sower's site for more at www.TheSower.com.

Message Eighteen: Blessed Are They That Mourn

2010-09-22T07:13:00.000-07:00

Matthew 5:4
A little fellow was down in the dumps. “What’s the matter?” asked his neighbor. “I’m at the awkward stage,” he sighed. “I’m too old to cry and too young to cuss.”

I hope you’ll always be too young to cuss, but never too old to cry, for our Lord said in Matthew 5:4, “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”

“What?” you ask. “Does happiness come from a heart that’s pierced? How can crying and cheer go together? That’s a contradiction: ‘Happy are they that mourn.’” But it’s not!

The Lord Jesus didn’t mean, “Blessed are the miserable.” Neither did He say, “Good for you who are gloomy.” Quite the contrary. One day He said to His followers, “When you fast, do not look gloomy like hypocrites: they make their faces unsightly so that other people may see that they are fasting. I tell you this: they have their reward already.”

That reminds me of the remark: “Some people’s religion is like a man with a headache - he can’t afford to give up his head, but it hurts him to keep it.” That’s not the religion of our Redeemer. Jesus wasn’t joyless, and He doesn’t want His Christians to be crybabies.
What, then, did He mean when he said, “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted!” Let’s see.

The word “mourn” is one of the strongest expressions for mourning in the Greek language. It’s a sorrow that cuts the heart to tears. Not only is it felt in the soul but it’s seen in the face and heard in the words. It’s a sorrow that can’t be hidden, and with such a broken heart comes the bliss of God.

It speaks of the mourning for sin. As Isaiah looked to the Lord he saw his own loathsomeness. He cried, “Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips and I dwell among a people of unclean lips; yet with these eyes I have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.” After he cried, after he confessed his sin, he was cleansed. From heaven came the promise, “Your iniquity is removed, and your sin is wiped away.” Before he scaled the heights of spiritual glory, he sank into the depths of sincere grief. There is always the remorse before there is the rejoicing. Listen to David. He cried, “My body wasted away with moaning all day long. For day and night Thy hand was heavy upon me, the sap in me dried up as in summer drought. Then I declared my sin. I did not conceal my guilt. I said, ‘With sorrow I will confess my disobedience to the Lord;’ then Thou didst remit the penalty of my sin.” But he didn’t stop there. He went from sobbing to singing, for he shouted, “Rejoice in the Lord and be glad.”

This verse, “Blessed are they that mourn,” speaks of the mourning in sympathy. One day our Lord received a letter telling Him that a friend whom He loved was ill. When He arrived at his home He found Lazarus had already been four days in the tomb. Mary and Martha came to Him, and when He saw them crying He was deeply moved. “Where have you laid him?” He asked. “Come and see,” they replied. Then, the Bible says, “Jesus wept.” Do you weep with those who weep? It was Lincoln who said, “I am sorry for the man who can’t feel the whip when it’s laid on the other man’s back.”

The verse, “Blessed are they that mourn,” speaks of the mourning in soul-travail. One of his congregation had disobeyed the Lord. When he heard about it, this pastor, Samuel, cried all night to the Lord. Do you sob over the sins of your family and friends? Do you weep over their worldliness and waywardness? Paul did. Hear him as he says, “I am speaking the truth as a Christian, and my own conscience, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, assures me it is no lie: in my heart there is great grief and unceasing sorrow. For I could even pray to be outcast from Christ myself for the sake of my unclean lips and I dwell among a people of unclean lips; yet with these eyes I have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.” After he cried, after he confessed his sin, he was cleansed. From heaven came the promise, “Your iniquity is removed, and your sin is wiped away.” Before he scaled the heights of spiritual glory, he sank into the depths of sincere grief. There is always the remorse before there is the rejoicing. Listen to David. He cried, “My body wasted away with moaning all day long. For day and night Thy hand was heavy upon me, the sap in me dried up as in summer drought. Then I declared my sin. I did not conceal my guilt. I said, ‘With sorrow I will confess my disobedience to the Lord;’ then Thou didst remit the penalty of my sin.” But he didn’t stop there. He went from sobbing to singing, for he shouted, “Rejoice in the Lord and be glad.”

This verse, “Blessed are they that mourn,” speaks of the mourning in sympathy. One day our Lord received a letter telling Him that a friend whom He loved was ill. When He arrived at his home He found Lazarus had already been four days in the tomb. Mary and Martha came to Him, and when He saw them crying He was deeply moved. “Where have you laid him?” He asked. “Come and see,” they replied. Then, the Bible says, “Jesus wept.” Do you weep with those who weep? It was Lincoln who said, “I am sorry for the man who can’t feel the whip when it’s laid on the other man’s back.”

The verse, “Blessed are they that mourn,” speaks of the mourning in soul-travail. One of his congregation had disobeyed the Lord. When he heard about it, this pastor, Samuel, cried all night to the Lord. Do you sob over the sins of your family and friends? Do you weep over their worldliness and waywardness? Paul did. Hear him as he says, “I am speaking the truth as a Christian, and my own conscience, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, assures me it is no lie: in my heart there is great grief and unceasing sorrow. For I could even pray to be outcast from Christ myself for the sake of my brothers, my natural kinfolk.” Only he who sobs as he sows the seed will return with rejoicing, for the Bible says, “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”

If you mourn in these ways, the Bible says you’ll be “comforted.” If you go to God in grief over your sins and over the sins and sorrows of others, you’ll be comforted. He’ll not only heal your heart, but He’ll help you. He’ll not only cleanse you completely, but He’ll continue with you constantly. For a long time I wanted to become a Christian, but I was afraid. I was afraid my friends would laugh at me. And I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to hold out. “Suppose I become a Christian,” I said, “and I go back and play for the nightclubs again and sin. Oh, that would be worse than not becoming a Christian at all.” But one night I was so convicted of my sins that I wept bitterly. I cast myself on the Lord for His mercy. He saved me, and with His mercy came His might. He not only comforted me, but He gave me courage. He took away my fears and gave me faith. I found that the verse is true. “Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted.”
copyright 2000 Guido Evangelistic Association

All Scripture verses are quoted from the New King James Version.

This series of messages on the books of the Bible were originally written for broadcast on Dr. Guido's radio program, "The Sower." They are collected and reprinted here for your enjoyment and spiritual edification. Go to the Sower's site for more at www.TheSower.com.

Message Seventeen: Blessed Are The Poor In Spirit

2010-09-21T07:51:00.001-07:00

Matthew 5:3

The Constitution of the United States guarantees every citizen the right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” But as we turn to the 5th chapter of Matthew we see that the Constitution of the Kingdom of God guarantees every citizen the right to possession of happiness.
Your first birth, or your natural birth brings you into the human kingdom. But your second birth, or your spiritual birth brings you into the divine kingdom. There’s no neutral realm. You’re in one or the other. Our Lord said to one who had been born one time, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Sitting beside me is our Norwegian elk hound. If she wanted to become a man, she wouldn’t need to do better, but to do different. Except my dog be born again, she can’t enter into the kingdom of man.

To you who have been born again, to you who have repented of your sins and received the Lord Jesus as your Savior, is guaranteed the right to the possession of happiness. For Matthew 5:3 declares, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

The blessedness which belongs to the one who has been born again isn’t a blessedness which is given in heaven, but which is given here. It isn’t something into which the Christian will enter, it’s something into which he has entered. This verse is saying in effect, “O the blessedness of being born again. O the happiness of knowing Jesus as Savior and Lord.”

The word “blessed” speaks of happiness. But it’s different from our word happiness. The English word happiness contains the root “hap” which means chance. Human happiness is something that’s dependent on the chances and changes of life. Divine happiness is something that’s dependent on Christ. It’s constant and changeless.

So the verse reads, “O the happiness of those who are poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The word poor in this verse speaks of one who’s absolutely destitute. It describes a man who, because he has no earthly resources at all, puts his trust in the Lord.

But you must be careful not to think because a person is poor in material things that he’s automatically on his way to heaven. One fellow believed that, so he wouldn’t work. He boasted, “I’d rather be a poor man and go to heaven than to be a rich man and go to hell.” But a man doesn’t go to heaven because he’s poor, nor does he go to hell because he’s rich. It’s not what you do with poverty or plenty that determines the destiny of your soul, but what you do with a Person - the Lord Jesus. And the poverty which is blessed is the poverty of the spirit.

To be poor in spirit, you must be aware of your own spiritual poverty. One night as I confessed my sins to the Lord, I cried, “O God, I’m so sinful. O God, have mercy on my miserable soul, for I deserve the hottest place in hell. Save me, or I perish. Lord Jesus, come into my heart, please.” Presently I heard one whisper, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” The poor in spirit, you see, are those who recognize their sinfulness, and they’re not only ready to confess their sins, but also to quit them.

To be poor in spirit, you must accept the riches that Jesus has provided by His death and resurrection. One night I stood by the bed of one who was desperately ill. Some said there was no hope, but he called a physician and placed himself in his hands. After a careful examination, the doctor said, “Take this medication, and I’m sure you’ll be well.” Just to have admitted his illness wouldn’t have made him whole. But admitting it and accepting the prescription did. Just so, to be made whole, to have happiness here and happiness hereafter, you must humble yourself at the foot of the cross, admit your sinfulness and accept the Savior.

There was a young man who turned his inheritance into cash and left home with a haughty spirit. He squandered everything in reckless living. He spent it all, and when a famine swept across the land, he felt the pinch. He attached himself to a landowner who sent him to his farm to mind the pigs. He would have been glad to fill his belly with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. Then he came to his senses. Broken in body and spirit he hurried to his father, saying, “I have sinned, against God and against you, I am no longer fit to be called your son.” His father pardoned him and provided him with everything he needed. Great was his happiness. There’s the poverty that makes for richness and rejoicing. The realization of our sinful condition, and the acceptance of the Savior. O come to Jesus, just as you are, and you’ll find His welcome is warm, His pardon is complete, His grace is sufficient, and His power is adequate.

copyright 2000 Guido Evangelistic Association

All Scripture verses are quoted from the New King James Version.

This series of messages on the books of the Bible were originally written for broadcast on Dr. Guido's radio program, "The Sower." They are collected and reprinted here for your enjoyment and spiritual edification. Go to the Sower's site for more at www.TheSower.com.

Message Sixteen: Fishers Of Men

2010-09-20T07:25:00.000-07:00

Matthew 4:19

In Holland recently, a $280,000 yacht was launched for the Sheik of the Bahreini Islands. It was equipped with closed-circuit televison, so that he’d be able to watch the floats of his fishing lines while sitting in his air-conditioned stateroom. Can you think of a more comfortable way to fish?
But when the Lord Jesus said to Andrew and Peter in Matthew 4:19, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men,” He called them to a life of hardship as well as hope, of toil as well as triumph; and you can’t have one without the other.

Too many church members have become so concerned about their own comfort that they’re not catching any fish. They’re not willing to make any sacrifices, and souls aren’t being saved. But He who made the supreme sacrifice, the Master Fisherman, has shown us the way. He goes on ahead, and He says, “Follow Me.” I’m going with Him, no matter what the cost or cross may be. How about you?

“But,” you protest, “I can’t be a preacher.” No, but you can be a personal worker, and there’s no greater way to win the lost to the Lord.

Mr. Spurgeon said, “If you had one hundred empty bottles before you, and you threw a pail of water over them, some would get a little in them, but most would fall outside. If you wish to fill the bottles, the best way is to take each bottle separately and put a vessel full of water to the bottle’s mouth.”

Henry Ward Beecher backed him up by saying, “The longer I live the more confidence I have in those sermons preached where one man is the minister and one man is the congregation.”
D. L. Moody said, “I’d rather be the means of setting ten men to work at winning souls for Christ, than of converting a hundred.”

Trumbull, a mighty soul winner said, “The world is never going to be brought to Christ wholesale, but one by one. Men aren’t born collectively; they don’t die collectively; they don’t accept or reject Christ collectively. General preaching has its place, but it’s a preliminary only in this work; the harvest must be hand picked.”

Not every Christian is called to be an evangelist or a pastor, but every one is called to be a fisher of men. You don’t have to be a great Christian, but you must be a genuine Christian. If you haven’t received Christ, you’re not a Christian; if you’re not a Christian, you can’t be a Christian witness–a fisher of men–a soul winner.

May I give you some suggestions that will help you in this work to which you’re called? To make it easier to remember them let’s use the letter P.

First, the prospect. That’s the person you want to win for Christ. Here’s a chorus I often use as my prayer: “Lord, lay some soul upon my heart, and love that soul through me, and may I humbly do my part to lead that soul to Thee.” When the Lord lays that soul upon your heart, learn all you can about him or her, and all the time you’re with that one, do your best by your lips and your life to make that one hungry to become a Christian.

Second, the product. Remember that you’re presenting Christ, not merely your church; the Savior, not yourself; and while doing this, use the Word of the Lord. It’s His Word that saves, not yours. Look to the Lord to lead you in the verses to use, and He will bless His Word.
Third, the promise. Let that one know, that although he or she is a sinner, the Lord Jesus promised in Revelation, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in.”

Fourth, the procedure. Always be on the lookout to win a soul to the Lord. One evening at a dinner party, an alcoholic found herself seated beside a Christian gentleman. Claiming to be a pagan, she at first didn’t appreciate this. But she found him sympathetic, and she poured out her soul to him. After listening, he suggested, “Why don’t you turn all of your troubles over to the Lord?” She left that dinner, and several days later, she arrived home and found a letter and some books from this Christian man and his wife. She read the books, and it wasn’t long before she dropped to her knees and received Jesus as her Savior. “Within twenty minutes,” she testified, “it was all over. The cocktails and sleeping pills, the fears and the self-pity just went away.” Then she became a fisher of men and won her son, who stood at the top of his class at Yale, to the Lord, and now he’s preparing for the ministry.

There’s no greater mission than that of bringing a soul to the Lord, and there’s no greater mischief than that of keeping a soul from the Lord. O, follow the Lord, and He’ll make you a fisher of men.

copyright 2000 Guido Evangelistic Association

All Scripture verses are quoted from the New King James Version.

This series of messages on the books of the Bible were originally written for broadcast on Dr. Guido's radio program, "The Sower." They are collected and reprinted here for your enjoyment and spiritual edification. Go to the Sower's site for more at www.TheSower.com.

Message Fifteen: Follow Me

2010-06-01T08:24:00.000-07:00

Matthew 4:19

When he was asked why he gave up a position in a profitable corporation to serve in the President’s cabinet, a gentleman said, “I couldn’t say ‘no’ to the president.” When I was asked why I turned from the orchestra pit to the pulpit, I explained, “I couldn’t say ‘no’ to Jesus.” He said to me, even as He says to you, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

This call is to a Person. I didn’t give up one profession for another. I gave up my profession for a Person - the Lord Jesus Christ. It wasn’t that I wanted to fill a pulpit, I wanted to fellowship with a Person - the Lord Jesus Christ. The call isn’t to follow a career, it’s to follow Christ. That makes all the difference in the world. The other day two men left the ministry. On being asked why, one said, “The church failed me,” and the other said, “I wasn’t paid enough.” The trouble was they were devoted to the church, not to Christ; they were concerned about a salary, not the Savior. I don’t preach because I’m paid. I’d pay to preach. And the church may fail me, but Christ won’t, and I’m determined not to fail Him. One day an ordinary man came to Socrates and confessed, “I’m a poor man. I have nothing to give you, but I give you myself.” “Don’t you see,” said Socrates, “that you’re giving me the most precious thing of all?” What Jesus wants, and what Jesus needs, is ordinary folk who’ll give Him themselves. Will you?

This call is a privilege. Someone has said, “I should have been proud to have held the spyglass for Columbus, to have picked up the fallen brush for Michelangelo, to have carried Milton’s bag, and to have blackened Shakespeare’s boots.” But I can tell you something far more wonderful than that. What is it? To follow Christ…the Captain who never lost a battle; the Physician who never lost a case; the Counselor who never gave the wrong advice; the Leader who never took the wrong path; the Teacher who never taught the wrong lesson; the Speaker who never spoke the wrong word; the Man who never had to apologize, or retract a word, or retrace a step; the King of kings and Lord of lords.

This call is pressing. When the Lord Jesus said, “Follow Me,” Peter and Andrew immediately left their nets, and followed Him. No, they didn’t hesitate or hold back. The call was so pressing that they hurried. That’s what Matthew did too. One day he was sitting at a tax collection booth. Jesus came by and said, “Follow Me.” Matthew left everything, sprang up and followed Him. What about your nets, Andrew? What about your boats, Peter? What about your money, Matthew? The answer is: they left everything. Matthew was a schemer, but he didn’t try to hold onto his coins with one hand and Christ with the other. Peter’s soul was like a surging tide. Once it was high for fishing, but now it was high for following. The fighting hands of a cursing fisherman became the healing hands of a consecrated follower. When Betty Stam, who was martyred in China, heard the pressing call from Christ, she left everything and followed Him. On that day she wrote, “Lord, I give up my own purposes and plans, all my own desires, hopes and ambitions, and accept Thy will for my life. I give myself, my life, my all, utterly to Thee to be Thine forevermore. I hand over to Thy keeping all my friendships. Fill me and seal me with Thy Holy Spirit.”

This call has a promise. Our Lord said in Matthew 4:19, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” But you protest, “The Lord doesn’t mean me. I’ve been mean and miserly, crooked and contemptible, angry and arrogant, a slave to Satan and sin.” That may be. But Jesus said, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” If you do the following, He’ll do the fashioning; if you do the complying, He’ll do the changing; if you do the turning, He’ll do the transforming. He’ll take away your strengthlessness and give you His strength; He’ll take away your cowardice and give you His courage; He’ll take away your fetters and give you His freedom; He’ll take away your pollution and give you His purity.

When the Lord saved me, I wanted to serve Him, but I felt so unworthy. One night as I was thinking on my past, it seemed as though I could see the Christless crowd hotfooting it to hell because I had led them astray by playing at the nightclubs. It broke my heart. “Lord,” I cried, “the devil has used me in the past, please use me now and in the future. I don’t think I’ll ever be good enough to be a preacher, I have no eloquence, but I’d like to be a song leader. Lord, I can play just about any instrument, but I can’t sing. My voice is terrible. But somebody told me You made a donkey talk. If You can do that, You can give me a voice and let me sing. Won’t You do it, Lord?” He did! Then one day, after many years as a soloist and song leader, He called me to preach. Since Jesus did that for me–unworthy and unqualified as I am–I know He can do it for you, and more–if you’ll follow Him. You will, won’t you?

copyright 2000 Guido Evangelistic Association

All Scripture verses are quoted from the New King James Version.

This series of messages on the books of the Bible were originally written for broadcast on Dr. Guido's radio program, "The Sower." They are collected and reprinted here for your enjoyment and spiritual edification. Go to the Sower's site for more at www.TheSower.com.

Message Fourteen: Our Lord's First Sermon

2010-05-04T11:08:00.000-07:00

Matthew 4:17

One day, many years ago, I was asked to preach my first sermon. “What,” I wondered, “shall I preach on?” Turning to some of my preacher-friends, I asked, “What was the first subject you preached on?” You should have heard some of the answers they gave me. “Well,” I replied, “I know what to do. I’ll turn to the Bible and see what Jesus preached on for His first subject.” I found it. It was recorded in Matthew 4:17. There it’s written, “Jesus began to preach, and to say, ‘Repent.’” And He added, “Except ye repent, ye shall perish.”

The twelve disciples preached on repentance. The Bible says, “They went out, and preached that men should repent.” It was preached by Peter. He said at Pentecost, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” It was preached by Paul. He said, “God now commandeth all men every where to repent.”

But I’m afraid it’s not being preached very much today. I heard of some boys who went out to play ball. When they arrived on the field, they discovered to their dismay that they had forgotten the ball. There were some moments of frustration, and finally one shouted, “Let’s forget the ball. On with the game!” There are those who are saying, “Let’s forget our sins and shortcomings, our faults and failures. On with the program.” But no program is profitable if repentance is left out. There can’t be that delight for salvation unless first there’s that disturbance for sin.

This morning I picked up a prescription. On the bottle I read the words, “Shake before using.” That’s what God has to do with a lot of us. There has to be that shaking, and it comes through repentance.

But repentance isn’t regret. The word regret means “grief,” or “the feeling of being sorry.” Sometimes when you do something you shouldn’t have done, or you’ve left undone something you should have done, you experience a certain pain of mind. But that’s not repentance. If you really repent, you’ll regret your sins, but no amount of regret can save your soul.

Remorse isn’t repentance. The word remorse means “contrition.” It’s the compunction of conscience for some evil that you’ve done. It carries with it the element of self-reproach. But even though your sins may cause you deep, painful regret; even though you’re so sorry for your sins that you heap self-reproach upon yourself, that’s not repentance. I’ve met many who have been very, very sorry that they’ve done wrong, but who haven’t shown any desire to do right. Consider Judas. He expressed remorse, but he never repented. He went so far as to declare Jesus innocent. But when the priests wouldn’t have anything to do with him, he ran from the temple and committed suicide. No, it’s not enough to say you’re sorry, neither is it enough to be so remorseful that it sends you to your grave. That’s not repentance.

What, then, is repentance? It’s a change of mind. When you repent, you change your mode of thinking. About what? Yourself, your sins and God. Now with that change of mind, there comes a change of manners. There’s no real repentance unless there’s a turning from sin to the Savior. And this involves your intellect, your emotions and your will.

Look at the intellect. Throughout the ministry of Peter and Paul you’ll find they preached on repentance. But before they called on people to repent, they preached on sin. Before I go to a doctor, I must know that I’m sick. And before I called on the great Physician I had to know that I was sick of sin. Before we preachers can call on people to repent, we must show them from the Bible that they are guilty sinners in the sight of God.

Consider the emotions. Tears aren’t always a sign of repentance. But true repentance is always preceded by a certain moving and excitement of the soul. You’re not saved by your feelings. But your feelings don’t remain dead when you’re saved. When Peter saw the awfulness of his sin, he “wept bitterly.” His tears were visible. Whether or not your tears are visible, you must have a spirit of sorrow for your sin.

Now think on the will. There’s no repentance where there’s no willingness to turn from sin to the Savior. There must be right action as well as right attitude. The prodigal said, “I will arise and go to my father.” That was the right attitude. But it didn’t stop there. The Bible says, “he arose, and came to his father.” That’s the right action. When you repent, your sin becomes loathsome, and the Lord becomes lovely, and you turn from your sin to the Savior, casting yourself on His mercy. One came to my study and said, “I know I’m doing wrong, but what I’m doing is beautiful.” Without replying I started to read aloud the Word of the Lord. Soon she sobbed, “Oh, I’m bad. My sin’s horrible. Jesus, You’re wonderful. Save me, save me now.” And He did. That’s repentance. And except you repent, you’ll perish - says the Lord.

copyright 2000 Guido Evangelistic Association

All Scripture verses are quoted from the New King James Version.

This series of messages on the books of the Bible were originally written for broadcast on Dr. Guido's radio program, "The Sower." They are collected and reprinted here for your enjoyment and spiritual edification. Go to the Sower's site for more at www.TheSower.com.

Book of Matthew: THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS - Pt. 2

2010-04-13T10:01:00.000-07:00

By Dr. Michael Guido, D.D.

Matthew 4:1-11
Years ago a famous comedian made famous the excuse for misbehaving, “The devil made me do it.” The devil used all of his tact and trickery, all of his skill and strength to make Jesus sin, but he failed. So that’s one sentence Jesus never had to say, “The devil made me do it.” But let’s see how the devil tried to make him sin.

The first temptation was an appeal for personal gratification. For forty days and nights Jesus ate nothing. He was very hungry. All around Him in the desert were little round pieces of rock which looked like little loaves of bread. Pointing to them, the devil said, “If Thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.” Was the devil concerned about the wants of Jesus? No, only about his own wiles. The devil didn’t want to bring Jesus any good, only grief. And when he tempts you, he holds out something good. But when you grasp it, you get nothing but grief. The temptation to the flesh is one of the strongest that we endure today. You’ll always have the desire to satisfy the demands of your bodies. Just as the devil asked Jesus to do a right thing in a wrong way, so he’ll tempt you. Just as he tempted Jesus to use His powers for His own gratification and not for God’s glory, so he’ll tempt you. God has given you gifts. Use them for His glory, not for your own gratification. He has given you wants, but put the will of God first. Jesus couldn’t have given the bread of life to the world had He used His powers to make the bread for Himself. And if you’d be a blessing to others, don’t break God’s commandments. When the devil asked Jesus to change the stones into bread, He answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.’” Man does live by bread surely, but not bread only. Man has a soul as well as a body. There’ll be times in your life when you’ll have to choose between the bread or the will of God. Which will you choose?

The second temptation was an appeal for personal glory. Having failed in his attack at the point of weakness, the devil then approached Jesus at the point of His strength - His faith. He tried to get Jesus to use His faith in the wrong way. First it was an under trust. Then it was an over trust. The devil took Jesus to the roof of a temple in Jerusalem. He said to Him, “If Thou be the Son of God, cast Thyself down: for it is written, ‘He shall give His angels charge concerning Thee: and in their hands they shall bear Thee up, lest at any time Thou dash Thy foot against a stone.’” Think of that–the devil used the Scriptures to solicit Jesus to sin! And he’ll use the Bible to get you to be bad. But in his quote the devil made two mistakes–one, he took it out of its context; two, he left out these words: “To keep Thee in all Thy ways.” The devil’s ways are not God’s ways, nor should the devil’s ways be your ways. All of the false religions today are due to the false use of Scripture. They’re due to taking right passages and putting them into wrong settings. Yes, the devil will tempt you to be bad by using the Bible. He’ll insist that you get the other fellow before he gets you. But when he tempts you, do as did Jesus. Use the Bible. Jesus answered, “It is written again, ‘Thou shall not tempt the Lord thy God.’” Jesus wasn’t going to ask God to work a miracle so He could be a “show off.” He was more concerned about being Scriptural than sensational, faithful than flashy, loyal to God than loved by the world. How about you?

The third temptation was an appeal for personal gain. He suggested that devotion to God was too dear. He took Jesus to the peak of a very high mountain and showed Him all the nations of the world, and all their glory. “All these things will I give Thee,” he promised, “if Thou wilt fall down and worship me.” “Compromise,” he was saying, “don’t go to the cross. Live on a throne, don’t die on a tree. Wink at wickedness and the world will follow You. Then You’ll have its gold and glory.” But Jesus wanted them to have His grace–even though it meant the cross. So He said, “Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, ‘Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.’” A giant corporation needed the vote of a representative, and a man was sent to see him. When the official couldn’t be bribed, the fellow cried, “Think of the money you’ll make. It’s the bargain of a lifetime. You’ll never have another chance to make that much so easily.” “Easily?” questioned the representative. “Hear me,” he continued. “No one ever yet got a bargain in sin. It’s the highest priced thing in the market. You tell me that all I have to do is to vote ‘right.’ Well, it isn’t. That’s only the beginning of what I’ll have to do. I’ll have to carry the consciousness of my dishonesty to the grave. I’ll have to live with a remorseful conscience. I’ll have to pose before my wife and children as some one I know I’m not. Don’t tell me it’s a bargain.” No, there’s no bargain in sin, only bankruptcy. Be loyal to the Lord. Use His Word and you’ll defeat the devil. And the Lord will bless you for it.

copyright 2000 Guido Evangelistic Association

All Scripture verses are quoted from the New King James Version.

This series of messages on the books of the Bible were originally written for broadcast on Dr. Guido's radio program, "The Sower." They are collected and reprinted here for your enjoyment and spiritual edification. Go to the Sower's site for more at www.TheSower.com.

Message Twelve: The Temptation Of Jesus Pt 1

2010-02-23T10:53:00.000-08:00

By Dr. Michael Guido, D.D.
THE TEMPTATION OF JESUS - No. 1
Matthew 4:1-11

The number of times the average man says “No” to temptation is once weakly. But we should say “No” strongly every time we’re tempted.
This morning one came to the studio and said in tears, “I’m so ashamed. I’ve been terribly tempted.” “What did you say when you were tempted?” I asked. “No!” came the reply. “Good for you,” came the compliment.
The devil had this one think that if you’re tempted you’ve already slipped and sinned. Don’t let him get away with that lie. Sin only defeats when you yield to the temptations–the solicitation to sin.
There’s nothing unusual or abnormal about a Christian being tempted. Indeed, he should expect it. Wasn’t Christ tempted?

When was He tempted? Right after He was baptized, and He heard His heavenly Father say, “This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased.” You, too, will find that a battle will come right after you believe. You will always have a struggle after a spiritual blessing. It’s one of the great truths of life that after every moment of revival there comes a moment of reaction, and it’s in the reaction that the danger lies. That’s what happened to Elijah. Singlehandedly he faced the king, his soldiers and the 450 prophets of Baal; and he defeated them. That was his greatest moment of revival. Immediately Ahab told Queen Jezebel about his victory, and she sent Elijah a message that read, “I am going to kill you by this time tomorrow night.” Then Elijah ran for his life. The moment of reaction had come. It seems to be a law of life that immediately after your greatest blessing, you’ll face the devil’s greatest barrage. The tempter came to our Lord with his attacks right after the Father’s attestation, but Jesus conquered him. You will do well to be on your guard when our Lord has brought you to the heights, for it’s just then that you’re in your greatest danger. But there’s victory in the Lord.

Where was our Lord tempted? In the wilderness. Where was Adam tempted? In a place of beauty, where there was plenty. Where was Jesus tempted? In a place of barrenness, where there was poverty. One, a paradise; the other, a wilderness. And most of our temptations today come to us in the wilderness. No, not when we’re with a crowd, but usually when we’re left alone. That’s when the temptation is the most dangerous. Look at Moses. He didn’t submit when he stood before Pharaoh in the palace, neither did he fall when he fled before Pharaoh on the way. It was when he was in the desert that his patience failed and he sinned. Look at David. When did he sin? Was it when he was resisting opposing armies? No, it was when he was resting. It’s easier to lay aside your besetting sin before a cloud of witnesses than in the solitude of your own room. But the wilderness doesn’t have to be your Waterloo. Jesus whipped the devil in the wilderness, and you may experience His power in any place and gain the victory through Him.

Why was our Lord Jesus tempted? The Bible says, “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.” Did this just happen? Oh, no. God’s divine plan was being worked out. Did the devil arrange the temptation? No, God did. “Well,” you ask, “does God tempt people to sin? Did He want Jesus to be tempted to sin?” No. There’s a dual purpose in all temptation–the plan of God and the plan of the devil. The devil tempts us to do wrong. God tests us to do right. The devil tempts us to weaken us. God tests us to strengthen us. The devil tempts us to sin. God tests us to enable us to conquer sin. Since Jesus didn’t escape temptation, neither will we. But because Jesus triumphed over the tempter, so can we–in Jesus. The devil challenged the first man, Adam. But Jesus challenged the devil. The devil defeated Adam, but Jesus defeated the devil. God allowed His Son to be tempted that Jesus might ever be able to sympathize with us in our temptations and to strengthen us so that we might be more than conquerors.

Do you remember David Copperfield, the interesting creation of Charles Dickens? He became an outcast at an early age and faced fierce temptations. But in all of his wanderings he carried in his heart a picture of his mother. It was with him as he toiled through the day, and it was with him as rested at night. Before him at all times was this picture of his mother. It kept him pure. My friends, let us firmly establish in our hearts not merely a picture of Jesus, but His presence. How? By receiving Him and turning our lives over to Him. Then, after submitting to Him, we’ll be able to resist the devil, and then he’ll flee from us. The Bible says, “Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

copyright 2000 Guido Evangelistic Association

All Scripture verses are quoted from the New King James Version.

This series of messages on the books of the Bible were originally written for broadcast on Dr. Guido's radio program, "The Sower." They are collected and reprinted here for your enjoyment and spiritual edification. Go to the Sower's site for more at www.TheSower.com.

Message Eleven: The Baptism Of Jesus

2010-01-26T08:49:00.000-08:00

By Dr. Michael Guido, D.D.
Matthew 3:13-17

The revival crusade had been fruitful, and those who had professed conversion asked for baptism. As one old man stepped into the baptistry a fellow from the congregation yelled, “I don’t want to butt in, parson, but one dip ain’t a-gonna do that old sinner much good. You’ll have to anchor him out in deep water overnight.” But even that won’t save a soul. It’s the Lord on the inside, not liquid on the outside, that changes a sinner into a saint.

There was a preacher who came from God. This man of courage and conviction was a burning and shining light. The light shone because it burned. And in burning, hard hearts were melted and many believed on the Lord. God knew that they believed, but man didn’t. So to show that they believed, they asked for baptism, and John the Baptist obliged.

We were invited to a certain city to conduct an evangelistic crusade. As we were being interviewed by an editor, I asked, “Why won’t you become a Christian?” “But I am a Christian,” he replied. “That’s strange,” I answered. “I asked all over town if you were a Christian, and the people said you were an outstanding citizen and a kind husband, but no one thought you were a Christian.” Hanging his head, he replied, “I know why they feel that way. I’ve never followed the Lord in baptism and church membership. But since I am a Christian, I will.” And he did.

One day as John the Baptist was baptizing the converts, he looked up and there was Jesus standing beside him, requesting baptism. He had walked about seventy miles to be baptized.
But John the Baptist stepped back. He didn’t want to do it. “This isn’t proper,” he protested. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by You.” But Jesus replied, “Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.” So John baptized Him.

You’re wondering, I know, “Why did Jesus ask for this baptism?” Certainly it wasn’t to wash away any sin because Jesus had no sin. Anyway, all the water in the world can’t wash away any sin. In His baptism, Jesus was identifying Himself with lost humanity. It was the identification of the Sinless with the sinner. He who had no sin to repent of, took His place among those who had sin to repent of. He who was sinless, went down into the baptism that was the portion of the sinner.

One day some disciples asked to sit one on the right hand, and the other on the left in His kingdom. Jesus looked at them and said, “Are you able to drink the cup that I drink? Or to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They must have thought He was speaking of His water baptism, for they said, “We are able.” But He wasn’t. He was speaking of the baptism of judgment He was to endure at Calvary, at which time the “waves and billows” poured over Him. There indeed He took the sinner’s place–yours and mine. He died for us, as though He were the guilty One.

Only on one other occasion did He speak of His personal baptism. It’s recorded by Luke. Surrounded by His disciples, He cried, “I have come to cast fire upon the earth. Oh that it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straightened till it be accomplished.” John baptized in water. Jesus came to baptize with fire. But He couldn’t baptize with fire, until He himself had been baptized in the waters of death.

After our Lord was baptized by John, the Bible says, “Jesus went up straightway out of the water.” Although many others have been baptized, this is stated only of Jesus. Why? It suggests His resurrection, for of His own accord He came forth from the baptism of judgment of the cross.
Immediately, after coming up out of the water, the heavens were opened to Him, and John saw the Spirit of God coming down in the form of a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Jesus didn’t now for the first time receive the Holy Spirit, for He was born of the Holy Spirit, and His development was under the control of the Holy Spirit. His whole life was dominated by the Spirit of God. This was a special anointing of Jesus as He entered upon His public ministry.
“Why,” you ask, “did the Spirit appear in the form of a dove?” When the Hebrew heard of a dove, or of a lamb, he always thought of a sacrifice for sin. That’s why Jesus came into the world, to be a sacrifice for sin, and by His baptism He had consented to death, so the Spirit of God fell upon Him as a dove. This was an anointing for death.

How beautiful to hear the Father at this moment attesting the perfection of His only begotten Son. As Jesus took His place in baptism, men might have thought that He was a sinner like the rest. So God carefully guarded against that by saying, “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” He wanted us to know that in Jesus there was no sin. He was pleased with His virtuous life and His vicarious death. Are you? Then why don’t you receive Him as your Savior and crown Him as your King of all kings?

copyright 2000 Guido Evangelistic Association

All Scripture verses are quoted from the New King James Version.

This series of messages on the books of the Bible were originally written for broadcast on Dr. Guido's radio program, "The Sower." They are collected and reprinted here for your enjoyment and spiritual edification. Go to the Sower's site for more at www.TheSower.com.

Message Ten: Baptized With Fire

2010-01-04T10:35:00.000-08:00

By Dr. Michael Guido, D.D.
Matthew 3:11-12

In looking for a pastor, a church member said, “We want a preacher who’ll catch the spirit of the age.” “Oh, no!” replied a friend. “What your church and my church needs is a preacher who’ll correct the spirit of the age.”

There was a man sent from God who did just that. He wasn’t concerned about man’s applause, but God’s approval. He didn’t stand before his congregation to discuss a situation, but to deliver the Scriptures. He wasn’t moved by the presence of any man because he ministered in the presence of almighty God. This meek and mighty man, John the Baptist, said in Matthew 3:11, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.”

When you, convicted of your sin by the Holy Spirit, respond to that conviction and receive the Lord Jesus as your Savior, you are born again immediately. You became a partaker of the divine nature with a life altogether different from that of one who hasn’t been born again.
To identify yourself with Christ and the Christians you ask for water baptism. This isn’t to save you, but to show that you are saved. You’re not the same any more. You’re a brand new person.
With the new birth, then, there commences a new relationship with the Holy Spirit that you couldn’t know until your conversion. You find yourself hating the things you once loved, and loving the things you once hated. Your body becomes the temple of the Holy Spirit.
There are some who believe that the Holy Spirit doesn’t enter into every blessing at the time of conversion, but that He enters the heart as a second blessing, some time after his conversion. But that can’t be, for the Bible says, “If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.” And 1 Corinthians 12:13 says, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body.” The Bible nowhere exhorts believers to seek this baptism. And in speaking about it, John the Baptist connects it with fire. Why?

Fire consumes, and the Bible says, “God is a consuming fire.” A man of God preached with great power and many people turned from their sins to the Savior. A solemn fear fell upon the city, and the name of the Lord Jesus was greatly honored. And the Bible says, “Many of the believers who had been practicing black magic confessed their deeds and brought their incantation books and burned them at a public bonfire. (Someone estimated the value of the books at $10,000.) This indicates how deeply the whole area was stirred by God’s message”–Acts 19:19 TLB.
Fire cleanses, and when Isaiah confessed his uncleanness, the Bible says, “One of the seraphim flew over to the altar and with a pair of tongs picked out a burning coal. He touched Isaiah’s lips with it and said, Now you are pronounced not guilty because this coal has touched your lips. Your sins are all forgiven.” Spurgeon, the prince of preachers, said, “You may write on wax and only make the record fair. Take a hot iron and roll it across the wax, and it’s all gone. That seems to be what the Lord did with Paul’s heart. It was all written over with blasphemy and rebellion, and He rolled the hot iron of burning over his soul and the evil inscription was all gone. He ceased to blaspheme, and he began to praise.” Christ will do the same for you, if you’ll let Him.

Fire comforts, and Isaiah cried, “I am warm, I have seen the fire.” Someone has described a kind man as one who lights a fire in a cold room. That’s what the Lord Jesus does. When you ask Him to come into your heart He comes in, and when He comes in He kindles your heart with the warmth of love towards God and man. The cold shoulder, the cold look, is gone. You begin to grow warm, and soon you begin to glow, glow with love to God and man, glow with love for the Scriptures and glow with love for the sinners. “My heart was so cold,” admitted one, “before I accepted Christ. I chilled everyone I met. Then Jesus came in. It was just like I had swallowed the sun with all of its warmth. I’m different. I’m happy. I love everyone.”

But while John the Baptist brought good news to some, he brought bad news to others. After saying, “He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:” he added, “Whose fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor, and gather His wheat into the garner; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Man is divided into two groups–the wheat and the chaff. You’re separated by your reaction to Christ. Believe on Him, and you’ll be looked upon as wheat. Reject Him, and you place yourself with the chaff–to be burned. It’s your move. Believe in Christ, won’t you?

copyright 2000 Guido Evangelistic Association

All Scripture verses are quoted from the New King James Version.

This series of messages on the books of the Bible were originally written for broadcast on Dr. Guido's radio program, "The Sower." They are collected and reprinted here for your enjoyment and spiritual edification. Go to the Sower's site for more at www.TheSower.com.

Message Nine: Fruits of Repentance

2009-12-09T10:28:00.000-08:00

By Dr. Michael Guido, D.D.
Matthew 3:8

One morning a boy stood on the corner shouting, “Hot mince pies! Hot mince pies!” A stranger came along and said, “Give me one, son.” He paid for it and started to eat it. But he stopped, saying, “Son, these aren’t hot.” “I know,” answered the boy, “but that’s the name.”

As with pies, so with people; there’s the name, but not the nature. I’m afraid that much of what we call Christianity is just churchianity. It’s just heathenism mixed with a little holiness. It’s just the form, without the facts and the fire. It’s religion without the Redeemer. Too many admit without accepting, confess without changing, hear without heeding, and profess without practicing. They put convenience above conviction, license above loyalty, greed above God, money above the Master, self-indulgence above self-control, and worldliness above the Word.
What’s true of our day was true in John the Baptist’s day. With looks as lawsuits, with tones as thunderbolts, with sentences as streaks of lightning, he condemned sin and called sinners to repentance. I wish I could have heard him, don’t you? While his voice hasn’t been recorded, his words have been. They’re written in the third chapter of Matthew.

Coming out of the desert, after having undergone years of lonely preparation by God, not with any opinions of his own but with the message from God, John the Baptist preached, “Repent…turn from your sins…turn to God, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” People came from all over and listened with great interest. When they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the river Jordan. “But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to be baptized, he denounced them.”

“Who,” you asked, “were the Pharisees and the Sadducees?” The Pharisees put great emphasis upon the Scriptures. They were great on show but short on sincerity. Their religion was on the outside but not on the inside. Their walk and their talk didn’t agree. It was all lip but no life. They were eighteen carat hypocrites. And the Sadducees? They lived by the expression, “You got to show me!” What they couldn’t see, they didn’t believe. Because they never saw an angel, they said, “There are no angels.” Since they hadn’t been to heaven, they said, “There is no heaven.” They denied the miracles, the resurrection, and life after death.

“Strange people,” you say. Yes, but we have both the Pharisees and the Sadducees in our midst today. Some, like the Pharisees, have a religion of the head, not the heart. They put on their religion like a coat when they go to church, but they take it off when they go to the club. It’s all being born in a Christian home won’t make you a Christian,” I continued. “You will receive Christ, won’t you?” I asked. “I will,” she said. Won’t you? Then prove it by your life as well as your lips.

copyright 2000 Guido Evangelistic Association

All Scripture verses are quoted from the New King James Version.

This series of messages on the books of the Bible were originally written for broadcast on Dr. Guido's radio program, "The Sower." They are collected and reprinted here for your enjoyment and spiritual edification. Go to the Sower's site for more at www.TheSower.com.

Message Eight: John The Baptizer

2009-11-09T08:23:00.000-08:00

JOHN THE BAPTIZER

By Dr. Michael Guido, D.D.

Matthew 3:1-7

One night, years ago, a ship was caught in a storm as it was nearing the harbor. It was being broken to pieces. The captain of a life-saving crew gave orders for a boat to be launched that they might go to the rescue. “But,” protested one of the crew, “it’s useless to go. We can go to the wreck, but we can’t come back.” “It’s not necessary to come back,” replied the captain, “it’s necessary to go.” And it was necessary for John the Baptist to go forth preaching the Word of the Lord, even though it meant his life.

Let’s meet the man. John was a child of promise. He was born when his parents were very old. His father was a man of God, and his mother was a cousin and a close friend of the virgin Mary. A man of the desert, John knew what it was to practice self-denial and to develop self-reliance. He knew God, and he served Him with all his heart. He wasn’t a coward, but a man of courage. Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; it’s also what it takes, on occasion, to sit down and listen. He listened to God, and he gave out His Word faithfully and fearlessly. John the Baptist dressed plainly. His clothing was woven from camel’s hair and he wore a leather belt. Oh, don’t get the idea from that verse that he was a freak. That’s the way poor people dressed in his day. John ate plainly. Locusts and wild honey was his diet. Was that unusual? No, not any more than cornbread, oatmeal or grits. It was a poor man’s diet, and he dressed and dined as an ordinary man of his day. But he wasn’t an ordinary man, he was an extraordinary man of God.

Look at his mission. God has a job for every person to do. He wants to do through you what He hasn’t planned to do through another. John knew what God wanted him to do, and he did it. What was it? Matthew answers in verse three of chapter three, to “Prepare ye the way of the Lord.” In his day, when a king went anywhere, an advance man went before him and announced his coming. They had no radio, or telephone, or television to advertise his coming. So, when a king went anywhere, a herald went before him to arrange for his food and lodging, and to prepare the people for his coming. That’s what John the Baptist did. For this purpose was he born. To be a herald for the King of kings and Lord of lords–the Lord Jesus Christ.

Listen to his message. It’s found in one word–“Repent!” Does it mean to be ashamed of your sins? Yes, but more than that. It means to be so ashamed that you’ll abandon them. Does it mean to be sorry for your sins? Yes, but more than that. It means to be so sorry for your sins that you’ll stop them. Does it mean to be tired of your sins? Yes, but more than that. It means to be so tired of them that you’ll turn from them. But it’s going even a step further than that. It means to turn from your sins to the Savior. The wonderful thing about the Bible is that it tells you what to do about your sins. You can admit them, but that doesn’t absolve you. You can despise them, but that doesn’t deliver you. What can you do? You can confess them one by one. And what will God do? He will cleanse you of every one. One came to me this morning, weeping, “I’m a sinner. I know it. My life shows it. Oh, I’m an awful sinner.” “Thank God,” I replied, “now God can help you.” You see, before you’ll go to a doctor you must admit that you’re sick and that you need help. If you think you’re all right you won’t go to a doctor. It’s the Bible that reveals our badness. The Scriptures show us our selves and our sins. But the Word of the Lord doesn’t stop there. It goes on to show us the Savior who can and will save us from our sins, from all our sins, if only we’ll let Him. I let Him. Will you? How? By confessing your sins and claiming Him as your Savior from sin. When you do, He’ll forgive your sins, He’ll free you from your sinful habits, and He’ll furnish you with the power to live a happy, exciting, victorious Christian life.

Look at the manifestation. When the people in John’s day turned from their sins to the Savior they did something. What was that? They were “baptized of him” comes the answer from the Bible. Last night I preached the message about the Good News of God. Hearts were touched. Men and women were convicted of their sins. Tears were shed. Then I gave an invitation, saying, “You that will turn from your sins to the Savior, you that will come to Him and confess Him, come forward.” Now there wasn’t anything magical about coming forward. But there was something meaningful about it. Coming forward didn’t save them, but coming to Him and confessing Him did. By coming to John the Baptist to be baptized they were saying in effect, “We once were identified with a religion, now we want to be identified with the Redeemer. We want the mark of the Master, Whose we are and Whom we serve.” Dare you identify yourself with Christ and the Christians? Then do it now. God bless you as you claim Him as your Savior and confess Him as your Lord.

copyright 2000 Guido Evangelistic Association

All Scripture verses are quoted from the New King James Version.

This series of messages on the books of the Bible were originally written for broadcast on Dr. Guido's radio program, "The Sower." They are collected and reprinted here for your enjoyment and spiritual edification. Go to the Sower's site for more at www.TheSower.com.

Message Seven: Satan vs The Savior

2009-11-03T06:48:00.000-08:00

By Dr. Michael Guido, D.D.

Matthew 2:13-23

A little girl had been saying, “What the devil” quite frequently, and it bothered her mother. “That’s a word that nice people don’t use,” cautioned the mother, “and I never want to hear you use it again.” Several weeks passed and the girl obediently refrained from the word. Then, one Sunday evening the mother asked, “What was your Sunday School lesson about?” “Well, it was about–the gentleman who keeps hell,” answered the girl.

But the devil isn’t a gentleman, and he doesn’t keep hell. He’s not in hell now, and when he goes there he won’t be keeping it, it will be keeping him. The devil will be suffering more than any other sinner.

“But,” you ask, “where did the devil come from?”

God is the Creator of everyone and everything. Therefore, God created Lucifer, the greatest and grandest angel. He was everything. He was created holy and wise, and God gave him the government of this world. God didn’t create the devil. The devil made himself a devil. By his own free act he sinned. When he did, he lost his original dignity and turned himself into a fiend. His great wisdom, corrupted by pride, developed into craftiness and wickedness.

Lucifer became Satan when he tried to make himself not only equal with God, but as the one above God. Although still an angelic being, he never was or ever shall be merciful, loving, kind or patient. From the moment he fell, Satan labored with superhuman power, along with his evil hosts, to destroy Christ and the Christians.

In the Garden of Eden Satan was present when God said, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and hers; he will crush your head.” From that faraway hour, Satan has been seeking to destroy the promised seed.

Satan knows men. He knows the human heart. Next to God, there’s no one who knows it as well as he does. He moved Cain to kill his brother, Abel. Then there was a population explosion, and he sowed tares upon the earth. When the Lord God saw the extent of human wickedness, and the direction of men’s lives were only towards evil, it broke His heart. So the people were destroyed by the flood. But Noah found grace in the sight of the Lord.

Satan, who was a murderer from the beginning and the father of lies, stirred up Esau to say, “I’ll kill my brother Jacob.” But God delivered Jacob. In the same attempt to destroy the promised seed, Satan moved Pharaoh, when Moses was born, to destroy all the boy babies. And he nourished that same blood red purpose during Israel’s kingdom days to destroy the chosen seed. He sowed treachery and slaughter among the sons of David, and he continued doing this until Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

It was Satan who moved Herod to butcher all of the boy babies in Bethlehem, hoping to kill Christ. The same Satan sought the destruction of Christ when he persuaded the people of Nazareth to throw Him off the brow of the hill on which their city was built. He sought the destruction of Jesus when he moved the scribes and Pharisees to take up stones and kill Him. When his devilish disciples failed, he tried to kill Christ by blowing up a storm so that He would drown, but again he failed.

Once more Satan called for volunteers. He bought the gentlemen of the mansions, the soldiers of the army, and a follower of our Lord–even Judas. One day, as He was praying in the Garden, Judas, who had betrayed Him for thirty pieces of silver, walked up to Him and kissed Him on the cheek. The mob seized Him and led Him to the High Priest’s residence. The guards mocked Him, spit on Him, and hit Him with their fists. He went through a mockery of a trial. Satan bought the judge and the jury, and Jesus was condemned to die.

On Friday afternoon, Satan, with all of his madness and might, pounced upon Him and killed Him. What a triumph when Satan saw the mangled body of the Lord Jesus Christ, wrapped in linen, embalmed in spices, and sealed in a tomb. But God the Father Almighty raised Jesus from the dead. What a victory!

One day Napoleon put his finger on a kingdom colored red on a map of the world and said to his men, “If it weren’t for that red spot, I could conquer the world.” That red spot was the British Isles.

I can see Satan placing his finger on a red spot called Calvary, and saying to his demons, “If it weren’t for that red spot, I could conquer the world.” Calvary was his Waterloo. That’s where the Lord Jesus died to save us from Satan’s power. Accept the person of Christ, and you’ll have His power.

copyright 2000 Guido Evangelistic Association

All Scripture verses are quoted from the New King James Version.

This series of messages on the books of the Bible were originally written for broadcast on Dr. Guido's radio program, "The Sower." They are collected and reprinted here for your enjoyment and spiritual edification. Go to the Sower's site for more at www.TheSower.com.

Message Six: "Reaction To The Redeemer"

2009-10-30T06:43:00.000-07:00

By Dr. Michael Guido, D.D.
Matthew 2:3-9

If you’ve read the story of King Arthur you remember how he was discovered and declared King of Britain. When the king died, he left no apparent heir, for his son, Arthur, had been smuggled away at birth and lived in obscurity. The kingdom fell into confusion, and many of the leaders coveted the crown for themselves. Then the Archbishop of Canterbury called all the barons and knights to London on Christmas Eve and conducted a service for them on Christmas Day. When they left the church, they saw a great square stone in the churchyard, and in the midst of the stone, a steel anvil, and stuck into the anvil by its point, a naked and gleaming sword. Written on the sword in gold letters were the words: “Whoso pulleth this sword out of this stone and anvil, the same is rightwise king born of England.” One after another of the famous men pulled and strained, but not one of them was able to pull out the sword. Then one day, Arthur, an unknown knight, pulled out the sword without any strain. Then the people knew their king had been found.

May I use that story to illustrate the coming of the King of kings? He filled to the full all of the prophecies when He was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king. In Him was perfectly fulfilled that which was spoken by the angel, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”

No sooner was He born that we see men gathering together into three groups, and into these groups men gather today. Look–you’ll see yourself in one of these groups.

There was the reaction of Herod. It was the reaction of hatred. Herod was a crafty king. He married ten wives, who spawned an ambitious brood of sinners who turned the palace into a human can of worms in their scheming to succeed him. He was so jealous of his favorite wife that he gave orders on two occasions that she should be killed if he failed to return from a critical mission. Finally he killed her anyway, and her grandfather, her mother, her brother-in-law, and three of his sons, not to mention many other subjects. One night at a swimming party he drowned the high priest. He was jealously disturbed when he heard that Jesus had been born. So he called a meeting of the religious leaders demanding, “Did the prophets tell us where the Messiah would be born?” “Yes,” they answered, “in Bethlehem.” Then he sent soldiers to Bethlehem and ordered them to kill every baby boy two years old and under, both in the town and on the nearby farms. Estimating a town of about two thousand people at that time, about twenty-five male babies would have been slain. Why such slaughter? Herod was afraid the Christ-Child would interfere with his position and pleasure; therefore, his first instinct was to kill Him. And there are those today who’d gladly destroy Christ, because they’re afraid He might interfere with their lives.

There was the reaction of the priests and the scribes. It was the reaction of heedlessness. His coming didn’t make any difference to them. They were so devoted to religion that they disregarded the Redeemer. They were so involved with a performance that they weren’t interested in the Person. They were so attached to their own affairs that they weren’t anxious to become acquainted with the Almighty. There are those today who are more devoted to cash than Christ, to their religion than the Redeemer. The Lord Jesus Christ means nothing to them. It’s to you of this group that the Bible asks, “Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by?”

There was the reaction of the wise men. It was a reaction of homage. The Bible says, “When they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshiped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” Get this. When the wise men came to the house they didn’t stay on the outside, they completed their journey; they came in. Why don’t you, the almost-persuaded, go in all the way to the Savior? The wise men still do this today. Since that day, when the wise men made their pilgrimage to Bethlehem to humbly worship God’s Son, there has been a steady procession of the world’s mightiest intellects coming to Christ to love Him and to let Him lead them on from victory to victory. They are rejoicing in their Redeemer. Without Christ you can never know real joy. O, you can sing, or play, or drink yourself into momentary forgetfulness, but what of the dread awakening to the agony of your transgression? In coming to Christ you can be happy because your sins are forgiven, their punishment paid, their guilt removed, and your new life strengthened to resist temptation. Be wise! Come to Christ.

copyright 2000 Guido Evangelistic Association

All Scripture verses are quoted from the New King James Version.

This series of messages on the books of the Bible were originally written for broadcast on Dr. Guido's radio program, "The Sower." They are collected and reprinted here for your enjoyment and spiritual edification. Go to the Sower's site for more at www.TheSower.com.

Message Five: "The Wise Men"

2009-10-28T08:51:00.000-07:00

By Dr. Michael Guido, D.D.

Matthew 2:1-12

When God made man he didn’t arrange the joints of his bones so he could pat himself on the back. But there are some men whom I’d like to pat on the back. They’re introduced to us in the 2nd chapter of Matthew and they’re called The Wise Men.

They’re wise men because of their Decision. When the Lord Jesus was born, men were waiting for God. The desire for Him was in their hearts. They discovered from experience that they couldn’t build a golden age without God. It was to a waiting world that Jesus came; and, when He came, the wise men gathered at His cradle. They were priest-sages, extremely well educated for their day. They were specialists in astronomy and astrology, medicine and magic. They turned from the seat of human wisdom to bow at the feet of Him who is the Wisdom of God. They left their astrology to worship the Almighty. They were wise because they acted on what they saw. Others may have seen the star, but these men not only saw the star, they came seeking the Savior. They came from afar, probably from Persia. It took them a long time, a very long time. But they didn’t mind the miles or the misery of the trip; they came. But today multitudes won’t come to Him right from where they sit in their comfortable chairs.

They’re wise men because of their Declaration. They didn’t ask whether Jesus was born, but where. Their declaration was, “Where is He that is born King of the Jews?” This required faith, for they recognized in the infant of days the Ancient of days, the uncreated being who took the form of a created babe, He who made flesh was made flesh, He who rested on the bosom of a mother without an earthly father, once rested in the bosom of the Heavenly Father without a mother. For no other child did the heavens call into being a new star. For no other child did the angels descend from glory. For no other child did the wise men come from the East, and they came because they had faith in Him. Have you?

They’re wise because of their Deed. They worshiped Jesus. They didn’t come to worship the cradle, but the Christ; not the mother, but the Master; not the site, but the Savior. Too often we put rituals ahead of the Redeemer, the church ahead of the Christ, the servants ahead of the Savior. They put Jesus first–ahead of their profession, their position, their possessions, their pleasures–they put Him first. Have you?

They’re wise men because of their Discovery. What was it that they discovered? Not what, but Whom–Christ. By discovering Christ I mean they found in Him pardon for their sins, power for their struggles, and peace for their strife. They found in Him a cure–for what? For weakness and worry, for meanness and misery, for suffering and sadness, for temptation and trouble. Have you found Him? Oh, nobody can find Him for you. You must find Him for yourself. He’s not far from you, He’s close at hand. All you have to do is to take one step and turn from your sins to the Savior. Do it now, won’t you?

They’re wise men because of their Donations. They didn’t come to Christ to get, but to give; and they didn’t come to give their bit but their best. First of all they brought themselves. They knelt at the feet of the Lord Jesus in dedication before acting as donors. Some patronize Christ with their holdings, but not their hearts; their substance, but not themselves. But it should be ourselves first, then our offerings. After they gave themselves, they gave their treasures. Oh, nothing is too good to give to God. Nothing is too costly to give to Christ. Give up everything for Jesus, but don’t give up Jesus for anything.

The wise men gave Christ gold. That’s the gift for a king, and they saw in Him the King of kings. Jesus was the man born to be King. But he reigns not by the lash but by love, and He rules over our hearts not because of a thorn but a tree–where He died for our sins.

The wise men gave Christ frankincense. That’s the gift for a priest. In Latin that word means “bridge-builder.” That’s what Jesus is. He built a bridge between man and God. He opened the way for us to come into the presence of God.

The wise men gave Christ myrrh. That’s the gift for one who’s to die. You and I were born to live. Not Jesus, He was born to die. There’s a picture of Jesus at the door of a carpenter shop in Nazareth. He’s just a boy, and He’s standing with His arms outstretched. Just behind Him on the wall, the sun throws His shadow, and it’s the shadow of a cross. He was born in a cradle that He might die on the cross for you and me. Just now, after all He has done for us, let’s give Him the gold of our obedience, the frankincense of our worship, and the myrrh of sacrifice. That’s what I’m doing. Care to join me?

copyright 2000 Guido Evangelistic Association

All Scripture verses are quoted from the New King James Version.

This series of messages on the books of the Bible were originally written for broadcast on Dr. Guido's radio program, "The Sower." They are collected and reprinted here for your enjoyment and spiritual edification. Go to the Sower's site for more at www.TheSower.com.

Message Four: "God With Us"

2009-10-26T11:26:00.000-07:00

By Dr. Michael Guido, D.D.
Matthew 1:23

One day a 73-year-old woman met a 77-year-old preacher, and they fell madly in love. The old man of God courted her in the summer, and they sat on the porch for their dates. She was a little deaf and their conversations were quite audible. One night the preacher said loudly, “Matilda, I love you.” “I know it,” she replied, “but don’t talk so loud, the neighbors will hear!”

There are some things that should be whispered, but here’s one thing that should be shouted. It’s found in Matthew 1:23, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”

Jesus was born of a woman, having no earthly father. He wasn’t a man who became God, but God who became man. Jesus was God dwelling in human flesh–God seeing through human eyes, God hearing through human ears, God speaking through human lips, God working through human hands, God walking through human feet, God living through a human heart.

Jesus is God with us to save us from our sins. God, in order to become a saving God, had to become God with us. He had to identify Himself with us. He had to live our lives. For sin can’t be removed by a remark. It can be blotted out only by being born. Its stain and sentence can be erased only by being endured. And that’s why God became man. That’s why Jesus was born of a virgin. He was born without sin. He lived our life, faced our temptations, and living without sin, He bore our sin, carried our sorrows and died our death. He did it all that He might become our Savior from sin. And Jesus came to save by a miracle of birth. He’ll save you by another miracle of birth–the new birth. It’s not by blood–that is, it’s not by your natural heritage; nor by the will of the flesh–that is, not by your natural desire or personal effort; nor of the will of man–that is, not in a way that any creature or church can do for you; but of God. As you receive Him as your Savior from sin, He’ll save you and you’ll be born again.

Jesus is God with us to strengthen us in our struggles. He’s not a God afar off, but a God at hand. He doesn’t love you and then leave you. He doesn’t save you and shout, “Root, hog, or die.” He stays with you once you ask Him to come into your heart. He promises, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” Have you noticed how men and women in the Bible grew brave, and strong, and holy in the presence of our Lord? The weak Peter grew strong, the greedy Zacchaeus grew generous, the quarrelsome man of Gadara grew calm, the polluted Samaritan adulteress grew pure, when Christ was nigh. He came between them and their temptations. He sheltered them from Satan. He helped them to be better. What He did for them, He’ll do for you.

Jesus is God with us to sustain us in our sorrows. One day a golden statue was made of a king. It was ninety feet high and nine feet wide. Then a command was given, “When the band strikes up, you’re to fall flat on your face to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden statue; anyone who refuses to obey will immediately be thrown into a flaming furnace.” When the band began to play, everyone fell to the ground and worshiped the statue–except three young men.

The king, in a terrible rage, ordered them to be brought to him, and he offered them one more chance, saying, “If you refuse, you’ll be thrown into a flaming furnace within the hour. And what god can deliver you out of my hands then?” “O Nebuchadnezzar,” they replied, “we’re not worried about what will happen to us. If we’re thrown into the flaming furnace, our God is able to deliver us out of your hand, Your Majesty. But if He doesn’t, please understand, sir, that even then we’ll never under any circumstances serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have erected.”

Then the king became angry. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual, and he called his strongest men to bind them and throw them into the fire. They were bound, and because the fire was so hot, the flames leaped out and killed the men as they threw them in. So the three men fell down bound into the roaring flames. But suddenly, as he was watching, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed, “Didn’t we throw three men into the furnace?” “Yes,” they answered. “Look,” he shouted, “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the flames, and they aren’t even hurt, and the fourth looks like the Son of God.”

In all our fierce trials today we too find we’re not alone. Our Lord is with us. He’s our saving, strengthening and sustaining God!

copyright 2000 Guido Evangelistic Association

All Scripture verses are quoted from the New King James Version.

This series of messages on the books of the Bible were originally written for broadcast on Dr. Guido's radio program, "The Sower." They are collected and reprinted here for your enjoyment and spiritual edification. Go to the Sower's site for more at www.TheSower.com.

Message Three: "From Despair To Delight"

2009-10-26T11:01:00.000-07:00

FROM DESPAIR TO DELIGHT
By Dr. Michael Guido, D.D.
Matthew 1:18-21

A newlywed was asked, “How do you like being married?” “Getting married is fine,” she exclaimed excitedly. “But,” she added sadly, “doesn’t it get tedious?”

There wasn’t anything boring about a certain marriage that shook the world many years ago. It went from despair to delight by way of a dream, and the leading actors were a virgin, a carpenter, a baby boy and an angel.

Marriages in that day were different from what they are in this day. They had three steps. First, there was an engagement. It was often made when the male and the female were children, and it was usually made through the parents or a professional matchmaker. Many times the couple never saw each other.

Second, there was the betrothal. Until this time the young lady could have broken the engagement if she was unwilling to go through with it. But once the betrothal was entered into, it was binding, and it lasted for one year. During this period the couple were known as husband and wife, but they didn’t have the rights of husband and wife. The only way this could have been terminated was by divorce.

Third, there was the marriage proper. This took place at the end of the year of betrothal.
Can’t you imagine Joseph’s distress when he discovered that the one whom he loved, the one to whom he was engaged, the one with whom he had no marital relations, was pregnant? To him it appeared that his bride-to-be was an adulteress. His hopes were shattered. His dreams collapsed. The sweetness of delight turned to bitterness of despair. Life that had so happily beckoned him now became a dead end of horror. He felt he couldn’t go through with the marriage. So he decided to break the engagement, but to do it quietly, for he didn’t want to publicly disgrace Mary.

What a desire he had! You must remember that as a Jew, Joseph lived by the law of Moses. According to the Mosaic law, Mary should have been stoned to death. That’s the meaning of the expression in Matthew 1:19 “a public example.” Had Joseph announced that Mary should be stoned, no one would have blamed him. However, the law provided for a lesser cause, one where Joseph could put Mary away privately by giving her a bill of divorcement. And this is what he decided to do.

But look at his dream. As he lay on his bed considering this, he fell into a dream. Suddenly an angel appeared to him. “Joseph, son of David,” said the angel, “don’t hesitate to take Mary as your wife! For the child within her has been conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a Son, and you shall name Him Jesus (meaning Savior), for He shall save His people from their sins.” Jesus had a body like ours, with bone and muscle and blood, lungs that breathed air, a digestive system that became hungry, a body which grew weary and needed sleep. In all points He was like you and me, but without sin.

For Jesus to be without sin, the virgin birth was essential. Only in this way could Jesus be human, and yet sinless.

Now look at his delight. When Joseph awoke, he was thrilled. No words can describe his joy. Mary wasn’t unfaithful after all. Rather she was true to the Lord. Mary had faced shame, the danger of losing her husband-to-be, yes, even death itself to do the will of the Lord! So, without any hesitation or reservation, Joseph did as the Lord had commanded. Let us learn a lesson from this experience and trust God when we can’t understand. Joseph’s despair was produced when he drew a conclusion with insufficient information. But when he knew all the facts, he glorified God. Walk by faith! And in just the right time God will make all things plain. I’m so glad that Joseph believed God and was obedient to Him. Won’t you, too, believe Him and obey Him?

In closing, look at the deliverance. What’s the greatest work of Jesus? Is it governing the nations of the world? No. Is it guiding the planets of the solar system? No. Is it giving directions to angels? No. It’s saving souls. That’s why He came into this world. That’s why He was named Jesus. It means Savior. Alexander may build an empire. Newton may bring about an intellectual revolution. Edison may create a world of science. But only Jesus can save our souls.

Tell me, wouldn’t you like for Him to save your soul? Then receive Him now as your Savior. The Bible says, “As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the children of God.”

copyright 2000 Guido Evangelistic Association

All Scripture verses are quoted from the New King James Version.

This series of messages on the books of the Bible were originally written for broadcast on Dr. Guido's radio program, "The Sower." They are collected and reprinted here for your enjoyment and spiritual edification. Go to the Sower's site for more at www.TheSower.com.

Message Two: "The Holy Family"

2009-10-26T10:56:00.000-07:00

By Dr. Michael Guido, D.D.
Matthew 1:16

When Wellington was born in England, that decided the battle of Waterloo. When Handel was born in Saxony, that decided the writing of The Messiah. When Gutenberg was born in Germany, that decided the libraries of Christendom. When Washington was born in Virginia, that decided American independence. When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, that decided the redemption of the world.

There’s not another family like the Holy Family–the world’s most famous family. In the many paintings of the Nativity, Joseph, the husband of the virgin Mary, is usually in the background. The artists portray him as an elderly gentleman with a kind face, a long beard, and a strong body, who is always lovingly watching everything that concerns the virgin Mary and the Christ Child. I don’t know why the records are so meager, but so little is said about him in the Bible. Great man that he was–don’t you know that pleased him?

Joseph was devout. He’s described in the Bible as a “just man.” You can’t beat that, can you? Oh, he was honest, humble and holy. Joseph was of the house of David, and he had royal blood in his veins. He faithfully and fervently worshiped God whom he loved with all his heart.

Look at his diligence! He spent his long days happily in his carpenter shop working with his hands. He must have been a skillful carpenter, and he doubtless taught Jesus how to work with wood and tools, and passed on to Him the habit of stern labor.

You can’t find a more devoted man. He put God first in his life, and God had a special work for him to do. His mission was to be the provider and protector of Jesus during the dangerous and difficult days of His infancy, and he did his work well.

Today, as it was in his day, God needs strong men who, at any cost, will be faithful providers and protectors of the interests of His work and workers. Will you be such a man? Mary, the mother of Jesus, is the best-known woman of the Bible, and of the world. After all the centuries, the declaration still stands, “Blessed art thou amongst women.”

Among all the godly maidens of Israel, God selected Mary to be the mother of His Incarnate Son. What a glorious honor! She looked upon Him as her Savior and Lord, for one day she told some servants, “Whatsoever He says to you, do it.”

There was a sanctity that accompanied her selection. Because her divine Child was to be “holy,” she herself had to be different from others. When the angel brought her the good news that she would have a baby Boy, he recognized her spiritual fitness for such an honor by saying, “The Lord is with you.” Well did Augustine say, “Mary first conceived Christ in her heart by faith before she conceived in her womb.”

Have you noticed her submission? It’s sweet. When the angel told her that she’d become the mother of Jesus, and that He’d be called the Son of God, she answered with all humility, “I am the Lord’s servant, and I am willing to do whatever He wants.”

Dare you say that to the Lord? Woman may be called the weaker vessel, but sometimes she has the stronger spirit. It was a woman who was the last person to leave the cross and the first person to arrive at the grave. Today, more than ever, our Lord needs women who’ll serve Him with all their hearts.

Jesus, son of the virgin Mary, was of her, but He wasn’t hers. He was wholly God’s. Though He was legally the son of Joseph, He wasn’t actually his son. He was really and truly the Son of God. He was born of a woman, but without an earthly father. The birth of Jesus was the work of the Holy Spirit, not a human sinner. Since our Lord was born in the supernatural way it means that He was not sinful, as was Adam, but sinless as His heavenly Father. His life, which began without sin, was preserved without sin. He chose not to sin so He might save us from our sins.

Yesterday one said in tears, “I’m terrible. I deserve to go to hell, I know it. But I want to be saved and go to heaven. Will Jesus save me?” “He will,” I replied, “if you’ll receive Him as your Savior from sin.” “But,” she asked, “why will He save me, a sinner?” “Because,” I replied, “people who are well don’t need a doctor. It’s sick people who do. And Jesus said, ‘I have come to urge sinners, not the self-righteous, back to God.’” “Then,” she replied, “I’ll come to Him.” Won’t you?

copyright 2000 Guido Evangelistic Association

All Scripture verses are quoted from the New King James Version.

This series of messages on the books of the Bible were originally written for broadcast on Dr. Guido's radio program, "The Sower." For more free studies, go to the main site, www.TheSower.com.

Message One: "Gems Of Grace"

2009-10-26T10:50:00.000-07:00

By Dr. Michael Guido, D.D.
Matthew 1

He never made Who’s Who, but everyone said of him, “He’s through!” But God saved him. One night he gave his testimony. In quoting the verse, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,” he made a mistake and said, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save cinders.” How grateful we are that Christ Jesus did come to save cinders–blasted, burned out lives, and He gives them “beauty for ashes.”

As we turn to the first chapter of the book of Matthew, we see some blasted lives that He beautified. One was the writer of that gospel–Matthew. He was also known as Levi, and that means “joined.” He lived up to that name. He joined himself to the crookedest crooks, and he became the richest robber of them all. He became a despised tax collector for the Romans. He bled his own people white to satisfy the unquenchable thirst of Rome for gold, and he bled them even whiter to build a fortune for himself. Rome hated him, and the Jews despised him. He was rich, but wretched.

Jesus probably knew him, perhaps only too well. He had often been to his office to pay taxes. And one day He said to him, “Follow Me.” Instantly he left his stealing for soul-winning. He was called Matthew, which means “the gift of God.” He became a gift to the world, for he wrote the magnificent gospel according to Matthew.

In the first chapter of the book that bears his name he presents the genealogy of Jesus. Listed among them are some of the greatest of the great, but also some of the most sinful among the sinful.

One was Tamar. She’s introduced to us in the 38th chapter of Genesis. What a sordid chapter of sin. What a sinner. But that’s what you and I are–sinners. When our Lord came to earth, He made this statement, “I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Why did He say that? There aren’t any righteous. There are many self-righteous, but the Bible says, “There is none righteous, no, not one.” Tamar was a sinner, but she put her trust in the Lord. That’s how she got into the genealogy of Jesus.

Then there was Rahab. Her profession is given in the Bible. She was a harlot. Two spies sneaked into Jericho. They were discovered, and they ran to her house for shelter. When the king’s soldiers came, she hid them, and pointing down the road, she cried, “They went that way.” While they ran on their fool’s errand, she dropped a scarlet rope out of her window and over the wall, and the spies escaped. When the men of Joshua took the city, they spared Rahab and her family. Why? Hanging from her window was a signal–the scarlet rope. Putting her faith in Him, she turned from her sins to the Savior and became famous for her faith and works. Today she’s listed among the heroes and heroines of the Bible.

Then there was Ruth, a charming person. But, she, too, was a sinner. Being a Moabite, she couldn’t come into the presence of the Lord. But one day she turned from her idols to the Lord, and one of the books of the Bible is named after her.

Finally there was Bathsheba. She came from a God-fearing family, and married one of the king’s most loyal soldiers. The king fell for her, and took her. When she was with child, they were terrified. Together she and David schemed to have her husband come home. But he never came. Her adultery led to murder. David and Bathsheba married, but their child got sick and died. But Bathsheba repented of her sins. Being assured of God’s forgiveness, she didn’t let the sins of adultery and murder ruin her entire life. Repentant and forgiven, she used her mistake as a guide to a godly life. She’s listed in our Lord’s family tree.

Has your life been marred by mistakes? Don’t despair. Turn to the Lord in repentance, and He’ll make something of beauty out of your burned out life, and you’ll become a blessing!

copyright 2000 Guido Evangelistic Association

All Scripture verses are quoted from the New King James Version.

This series of messages on the books of the Bible were originally written for broadcast on Dr. Guido's radio program, "The Sower." They are collected and reprinted here for your enjoyment and spiritual edification. Go to the Sower's site for more at www.TheSower.com.