A very Timely Message

 

 

 

Proverbs 21:21-23 - Luke 24:13-35

 

November 8, 2020

 

Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.
A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

 

Today a small part of my pastor’s message came from Proverbs 21:21, and the main sermon was taken from Luke 24:13-35, about Jesus joining the two disciples on the road to Emmaus.  Jesus hid his identity from them and taught them, as they walked, the Scriptures shows how the two showed hospitality, in that Jesus acted as if he was going on past Emmaus, and it was getting late, they ask Him to stay with them.  When it was time for the meal Jesus broke the bread and they knew it was the resurrected Jesus, and their eyes were opened, and He left their presence.  Do you recall what they said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the Scriptures?”   What did they do, it was late, not safe to travel at night, but they returned to Jerusalem. They found the 11 disciples and proclaimed, “The Lord has risen indeed.”

 

Pastor Ray Still, ask how long has it been since your heart has burned within you, because the Holy Spirit has shown you a new truth, and did you go and share it with someone; that the Lord has risen indeed?

 

As is my habit to seek God each morning as I begin my day, and spend time not only reading but putting my thoughts and understanding, or lack of understanding on my computer.  I believe the Holy Spirit does speak to me, and if you are alive in Christ and are studying to show yourself a workman that handles Scripture correctly and does not need to be ashamed, He will speak to you, you just have to be open to listening.

 

It was in Proverbs 21:21, that Ray challenged us to seek in our prayer life and allow the Holy Spirit to show us how to walk in or pursue righteousness and kindness, for the world will say, that person is a follower of Christ.

 

Righteousness, what is it and where is its source?  In Psalm 119:137, “Righteous are you O Lord, and your laws are right.”  And in Psalm 145:17, “The Lord is righteous in all His ways and loving toward all He has made.”  If that was all the information we found in Scripture, it would tell us that righteousness is found in God and that His laws are good, not bad.  But it goes much farther than that, it declares God as a Creator that shows love toward all He has made.  As followers of Christ, Jesus is our righteousness, for it is Him living in us, our flesh is not righteous, no all our righteousness is found in Christ alone.  As followers of Christ, we are wise to listen to Jesus in Matthew 6:33-34, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  “Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

 In Revelations 19:11, “ I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice, he judges and wages war.”  His name is often called the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  The Jewish people are waiting for Him, and on His return to visit the earth, they will bow down and call Him Lord, mighty God, and our Messiah.  They will ask how He got the scars on His hands and feet.

 

So, another way of saying this is pursuing Jesus, for in doing so you are pursuing righteousness.  I believe when you do so you will desire to be kind, and kindness will ooze from within you.

 

Now it is late and tomorrow I would like to explore how to be a wise man, who can scale the walls of the strong man and bring down the stronghold in which they trust.

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice