The LORD's Day October 18, 2009

Being Spiritually Perceptive

Matthew 27.1-26
We see the pitiful spiritual condition of the leaders of Jerusalem here in the first century. The priesthood was corrupt. The Pharisees were more concerned about institutional religion than doing right. The Sanhedrin (the Jewish Ruling Council) had committed many illegalities in the past few hours. There is no concern for innocency rather a hatred of Jesus, God’s Son.
While none of here this morning can be compared with these men there are some lessons and warnings we need to pay attention to here.

1. They had God in their midst but they did not recognize Him.
They mocked Him.
They hit Him.
They killed the Author of Life Acts 3.13-15

Jacob didn’t recognize the LORD one time. Genesis 28.16
The woman at the well in Samaria needed help. Jesus gave her help. John 4
Both Jacob and the Woman at the Well in Sychar came to realize it was the LORD!

The leaders of Israel’s faith in the first part of the first century, unbelieving, the LORD was working in their midst. They failed to realize it was Him. He came unto that which was His own and His own did not receive Him.

2. They did not recognize the time of God’s coming to them.
We have spoke of this before.
Luke 19.44
Recognize- know, perceive
Time- fixed and definite time of opportunity
Coming-investigation, inspection, visitation

That time had past. Because they shut their hearts once again when He stood before them they didn’t know Who He was.

Psalm 95.6-7 Today if you hear His voice do not harden your hearts...

3. They lost their concern about doing what was right.

Hatred blinded them.

Judas confessed to the priests but they did not care about his soul at all.
Their concern was for killing Jesus and maintaining their institutional religion. Their calling was to be a bridge from man to God. They were not true to their calling. They were not true to themselves, They were not true to others and worst of all they were not true to their God.
When Judas confessed they should have interceded. Judas had woe pronounced on him by Jesus. He was a devil. The devil entered him. He was a thief. He stole money from the treasury-like stealing from a church. Years ago the young policeman’s words, after my office was broken into and petty cash stolen: "Things are really bad. They are stealing from churches." But that is essence what Judas had been doing. Still as wicked as he was the priesthood was worse in some ways.

Envy had overtaken them. Hatred ruled their hearts. Their eyes were blinded and they could not see the truth.

4. They were accusing Jesus.

Close to the activity of Satan.

We are not condemn or accuse. This religion did not offer hope. We need hope. Our faith offers hope! Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow.

Being spiritually perceptive means there will be hope. God is a God who works miracles. He is with us. That is the message of this passage and the message of Christmas. That is a message of hope. Even when it feels like Jesus said in verse forty six that you are abandoned. Your hope may be gone. The LORD, Our Shepherd restores your soul!

Application:

1. Recognize the LORD is in your midst.

He is with two or more gathered in His Name.
He is here right now.
He calls us continually.
Have faith in Him.

2. Recognize when God comes to you.

Jerusalem didn’t on Palm Sunday.
Be looking for Him to come.
Expect Him to come to you.

Open your heart to Him

His Ways- you never know how
His Word
His Love.
His Grace

The old Candid Camera song, "When you least expect it, you’re elected, its you lucky day. Smile, you’re on Candid Camera!"
God elects- we cannot choose these times of visitations.
He puts people in our path.
He speaks to us.
He puts songs in our hearts.
He speaks through dreams.

3. Always do what is right.
Live a righteous life.
Keep the commandments.
Keep your hearts free from all envy, hatred, bitterness. One of the best remedies and it is from our LORD is to pray for those who place themselves as your enemies.
Matthew 5:
43 "You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor
and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors
do so? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

4. Love God, Hate Sin and Worship the LORD!
Love the LORD and worship Him only. Don’t worship the worship!
Have an intense hatred of evil. Romans 12.9, Proverbs 8.13

Open the eyes of my heart LORD!