Friday December 25^th-Matthew 23

Merry CHRISTmas!  Emmanuel –God with us!

Today we celebrate the birth of Christ.

The festival of the Christian church observed annually on the 25th day of December, in memory of the birth of Christ,                                                               

Matthew 23 ,  is full of warnings  to those with rigid observance of external forms of religion without genuine piety; hypocrisy in religion-Pharisaism. [1828 Webster’s Dictionary]   They do not practice what they preach.  There are 8 woes [judgment is coming] in this chapter.

This being the celebration of the birth of Christ I want to focus on verses 8-12.   There is only one God, one Jesus, one Holy Spirit!

And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. Vs.8

rabbi (rab´i). A term that originally meant “my master” and that came to be used as a title by the Jews after the OT period in designation of their religious teachers. [Essential Bible Dictionary]

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.  John 14:26

This is the promise which He Himself made to us: eternal life. These things I have written to you concerning those who are trying to deceive you. As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.   I John 2: 25-27

But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.                    John 16:13-16

Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. Vs. 9

Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name,
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven. Matt.6

Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” Gal. 4:6

Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ.  Vs. 10                                                                            In one instance, “teacher” translates the word kathegetes, which Jesus uses to emphasize that only he, the Christ, is the true teacher (Matt. 23:10) [olive tree names of God dictionary]

Jesus was called teacher many times in the bible.

These are just a few references-Jesus was called Teacher by many.  The Scribes and Pharisees, His disciples and people called Him by that name and looked to Him to lead them. 

Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” Matt. 12:38

Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they *woke Him and *said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Mark 4:38

John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us. Mark 9:38

And a man from the crowd shouted, saying, “Teacher, I beg You to look at my son, for he is my only boy, Luke 9:38

As we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ let us always remember that there is only One God, One Jesus and One Holy Spirit! 

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore.  The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.  Is. 9:6-7

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 

 II Cor. 13:14

Lyn