"The Dangers of the Undealt Negative Habits"(Luke 22:3-6 & John 12:1-8)

The Dangers of the Undealt Negative Habits 

Luke 22:3-6 & John 12:1-8 

One analogy for a Christian life is that of an athlete. The better athletes keep strick diets to meet their goals. Runners eat differently than a weight lifter. Athletes also need to be persistent to be perfect. If you want to have the perfect athlete body, it will take time and much effort as well as sacrafice. 

If we want to emulate Jesus, we need to work at this. There are imperfections in our lives that we need to remove and this will take time. Everyday we need to align ourselves with God's plan. Mature Christians realize their weaknesses. Sick Christians are not aware of their weaknesses. Every believer has weaknesses and we are being sanctified. The Lord shows us our imperfections as we go closer to Jesus. As we grow closer in our relationship and deal more with our imperfections, we start to emulate Jesus. 

In the text from Luke 22:3-6 & John 12:1-8 Judas is not dealing with one of his imperfections. We see how Judas had a bad habit of taking money for himself. We also see Judas Iscariot's jealous heart.  

We might ask why did Jesus allow Judas stay with his disciples and not kick him. Jesus had hoped that Judas would turn away from his sins. Jesus gave him a chance. Ezekiel 18:23 shows God's heart which is the desire to save. 

Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord God , and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? 

Ezekiel 18:23 ESV 

Jesus expects us to respond back to his call everyday and repent. This is sanctification. 

Undealt negative habits that seem to be minor are actually points of attraction for more degeneration. (John 12:3). We see Judas is upset over lost money which we could have taken for himself. He developed jealousy over Jesus being shown respect by the woman's anointing Jesus. This perfume was for Jesus, but Judas' untamed coveting and thieving leads him to jealousy. 

These undealt habits which seem to be minor grow to destroy the spiritual sensors for one's salvation (John 13: 21-30).  The Spirit of the Lord works in us to direct us to turn to him persistently. (Gal. 5:16) By ignoring the spirit we start to become insensitive to the urgings of the spirit. 

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. 
James 1:14‭-‬15 ESV 

In fact, undealt habits which seem minor turn out to be the window of Satan's attack in the lives of believers. (John 13:27). Satan will not attack us at our strong points. He will go for your weak points. Judas' love of money was his weaknesses and that is how Satan was able to enter his heart. 

Eventually these undealt habits which seem to be minor destroy an individual when it becomes too late. (Matt. 27:1-10) Judas had seen Jesus raise the dead and feed thousands and avoid the Pharisees, so he was surprised and felt remorse that Jesus had been arrested. Judas cannot reverse what he did and hangs himself.  
Jesus is always speaking to us to change; however, Jesus is not going to force you to change. You need to do this yourself. There is a remedy for the developed destructive habits. 

1. 1, Acknowledge the reality; and acknowledge that you have a problem (Prov. 28:13) 
2. 2. Seize the provided platforms for your salvation and restoration. Again you need to choose to act and take advantage of God's deliverance.

"Live in Anticipation of His Second Coming"(Luke 22:14-18)

May 12, 2019 Live in Anticipation of His Second Coming 

Luke 22:14-18

Christians all over the world partake in holy communion. Today Pastor Donald explains how communion is introduced by Jesus to us.

In Luke 22, we read that as Jesus is coming towards the end of His time on Earth, He and others are preparing for the Passover meal. Jesus tells his disciples that He desires to celebrate with His disciples the Passover and He will suffer. Desire is used to describe something that Jesus has been waiting for a long time. 

We know that the Passover celebration commemorates God's divine redemption of the Israelites from the captivity in Egypt. The Israelites could not free themselves from Egypt or even accomplish the punishing tasks inflicted on them by Pharaoh. But God is faithful and keeps His promises.

And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." 

Genesis 12:2‭-‬3 ESV 

We know in Exodus, the Israelites are spared death by following God's command to put lamb's blood on their doorposts so the Angel of Death would Passover their homes. Very soon afterwards the Israelites left Egypt to go to the promised land, but because of unfaithfulness and disobedience it took much longer and many died in the desert. The Passover was not the redemption but the beginning of redemption. It was not the fulfillment of the promise of the God but a part of the process. 

When Adam sinned in Genesis, humans suffered because of his sin. But at the appointed time, Jesus came on the scene to save us. The Passover is a divine redemption of the Israelites. Jesus states that this is His time to enter and redeem us. 

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

Romans 5:8 ESV 

and

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— 

Romans 5:12 ESV 

Those who partake the communion have not completed the redemption. This is is still a process. We need the Holy Spirit and need to reflect on what Jesus has done for us and how much we continually need Him. There will be many challenges during our journey and therefore we need His spirit to help us to make the right decisions and be aligned with His will. Let us live anticipating His second coming. If we lose focus, we will be led astray. 

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." 

John 16:33 ESV 

Many of the children of Israel fell and died horribly in the desert while wondering to the promised land. We too need to be careful and keep our focus on the promise. Jesus promises that he will take us to heaven. There are many temptations and tribulations in the world. We cannot lose hope, but we must move on. this is not our permanent home.  

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 

John 14:3 ESV