Today's Passage - Matthew 23:13-15

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Matthew 23:13-15   "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are."   The Lord condemned the sins of the Pharisees by saying that they had drawn people to convert, but once people converted they hindered them from entering into heaven. It essentially means that it's easy to bring people into our faith, but it's hard to bring people before God, and that's because religion is simply a set of rules and it's easy to find gratification in self-righteousness. The reality is that such self-righteousness will not stand before God. It's like a person cleaning a room in the darkness; regardless how much or little he cleanses it, the room will look nice the clean. When light shines into the room, however, you'd see spider web and dust everywhere! This is the condition of the human soul - People think they are righteous when they are in sin, but when the light of the Holy Spirit shines in, they'd see how dark they really are inside. It's the same when we are leading others; we easily bring people into the religious doctrines by telling do this and not do that, but we don't really them into the life of Jesus Christ.   What really saves us is that our behavior, but the life of Jesus Christ. The power for a life to be changed can only come to a person when the person acknowledges his sins before God, accept the salvation brought by Jesus Christ through the cross, and receive His new life. May God help us, not to just bring people into doctrines, but into the spirit of freedom. We often impose our own experience or ways of the church onto others without introducing Jesus Christ - the one who sets us free - to them. Today, what people need is not more legal doctrines, but rather Jesus Christ who sets people free. James 3:1 says that "Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." When we are teaching others, may God help us to avoid the mistakes made by the Pharisees, and truly brings the hearts and souls of people before Jesus Christ!   Pray with Pastor Tong     Lord, we thank you because in you we have the spirit of freedom. Open our eyes and help us see that people will be truly delivered and satisfied when they are brought into the freedom in you. Help us to avoid the behavior of the Pharisees and honor your name in our daily life. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, thanks!

Today's Passage - Matthew 23:1-12

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Matthew 23:1-12   Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples:"The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. "Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacterieswide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called 'Rabbi' by others.  "But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant.  For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.   When Jesus talked about the Pharisees, the biggest problem that He pointed out was that "they do not practice what they preach." We can look at this in three ways. First, they imposed laws that were difficult to follow on people, but when people had difficulties, they not only didn't help them, but actually condemned them. Jesus, however, was not like that. He didn't just talk about the law, He was also willing to help those around them. The Lord loved to be close to sinners and poor people; He loved them and forgave their sins. When the adulterous woman was caught, people wanted to convict her to death by stoning according to the law as it was imposed on people by the Pharisees; Jesus, however, saved that woman. Jesus not only talked about the law, but also loved those in need; He even accepted them and forgave their sins.   Second, the Pharisees were mistaken in that they like to show off to people. Therefore, they made their phylacterieswider and their tassels longer. Wherever they went, they loved to take the place of honor. What is our attitude in our spiritual life? When we serve God, do we just seek for others to see and praise us, or do we simply seek to please God? May God help us to refrain from acting on the outside like the Pharisees.   Third, Pharisees like others to call them Rabbis, but the Lord taught us not to value those superficial titles. May God help us to serve Him from deep down in our hearts. This doesn't mean that we cannot have any titles, but the important thing is whether our hearts are humble. May the Lord help us not to take on the behavior of the Pharisees!    Pray with Pastor Tong     Lord, I thank you, because your word has reminded us the truth. If we are behaving like the Pharisees in our life, may the Lord shine on us and examine us, and help us to remove any of such behavior so that we may enter into the life of truth in Jesus Christ. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!

Today's Passage - Matthew 22:41-46

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Matthew 22:41-46   While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, "What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?" "The son of David," they replied. He said to them, "How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him 'Lord'? For he says, 'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet."'If then David calls him 'Lord,' how can he be his son?" No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.   In this passage, Jesus clearly pointed out who He is; on the hand He is the Son of Men, because in terms lineage He's the descendent of Abraham and David; on the other hand, according to the Holy Spirit, He's the Son of Eternal God. First and foremost, He's the descent of David. Jesus is true a son of men, and that's why He can truly understand the pain and suffering that people experience. If not, He wouldn't be able to truly take on our worries and bear our pain as it was promised. Also, David is the descendent of David, so He's not just the son of any man. He's the one promised by God throughout the generations, through the word of the prophets and history to Israel - He is Messiah our Savior!   Next, He's also the true Son of God. Back then, people didn't understand it, and they just thought Jesus was the son of David. He came to bring forth the kingdom on earth, like the kingdom of David; however, the Lord asked if Christ is the son of David, why did David call Him Lord? In fact, the kingdom of Jesus is far greater than the one of David. A kingdom of men is limited; no matter how strong and powerful a king is and how good he is in ruling a country, everything in the world will eventually fade away. The rule of Jesus Christ, however, will last forever. He's not constrained by time and space; not only does He rule in the universe, but He also rules human history and hearts of people.   Do you know this king of the universe? Do you know that His kingdom will last forever? When you recognize this glorious truth, your heart will be filled with expectation and true joy. You won't treat faith like an ornament in life; instead, you will make your life available to God and life for such a glorious kingdom. Brothers and sisters, are you willing to obey Him in your life starting today? Jesus is the Lord, not just the Lord of human history, but also the Lord of all things in the universe. The Lord is willing to lead us in our lives, so let us follow His guidance with a humble heart. Let us together experience how His glorious kingdom comes upon us each day in our life.   Pray with Pastor Tong     Lord Jesus, I thank you because not only are you the Son of Men who redeems us, but you are also the glorious king who lives forever. We want to follow you and let you rule our lives daily. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!

Today's Passage - Matthew 22:41-46

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Matthew 22:41-46   While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, "What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?" "The son of David," they replied. He said to them, "How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him 'Lord'? For he says, 'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet."'If then David calls him 'Lord,' how can he be his son?" No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.   In this passage, Jesus clearly pointed out who He is; on the hand He is the Son of Men, because in terms lineage He's the descendent of Abraham and David; on the other hand, according to the Holy Spirit, He's the Son of Eternal God. First and foremost, He's the descent of David. Jesus is true a son of men, and that's why He can truly understand the pain and suffering that people experience. If not, He wouldn't be able to truly take on our worries and bear our pain as it was promised. Also, David is the descendent of David, so He's not just the son of any man. He's the one promised by God throughout the generations, through the word of the prophets and history to Israel - He is Messiah our Savior!   Next, He's also the true Son of God. Back then, people didn't understand it, and they just thought Jesus was the son of David. He came to bring forth the kingdom on earth, like the kingdom of David; however, the Lord asked if Christ is the son of David, why did David call Him Lord? In fact, the kingdom of Jesus is far greater than the one of David. A kingdom of men is limited; no matter how strong and powerful a king is and how good he is in ruling a country, everything in the world will eventually fade away. The rule of Jesus Christ, however, will last forever. He's not constrained by time and space; not only does He rule in the universe, but He also rules human history and hearts of people.   Do you know this king of the universe? Do you know that His kingdom will last forever? When you recognize this glorious truth, your heart will be filled with expectation and true joy. You won't treat faith like an ornament in life; instead, you will make your life available to God and life for such a glorious kingdom. Brothers and sisters, are you willing to obey Him in your life starting today? Jesus is the Lord, not just the Lord of human history, but also the Lord of all things in the universe. The Lord is willing to lead us in our lives, so let us follow His guidance with a humble heart. Let us together experience how His glorious kingdom comes upon us each day in our life.   Pray with Pastor Tong     Lord Jesus, I thank you because not only are you the Son of Men who redeems us, but you are also the glorious king who lives forever. We want to follow you and let you rule our lives daily. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!

Today's Passage - Matthew 22:34-40

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Matthew 22:34-40   Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."   In this passage, Jesus explained the highlight of the law to the teachers of the law, as well as all the readers. The everlasting, never-changing calling from God to people is always the same: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your might and with all your mind. "With all your heart" means paying attention to what the other person needs. All those who are "in love" would know this; if the person likes flowers, you'll send flowers daily; if the person likes poems, you'll make an effort to write some, even if you end up copying from others. Similarly, we must pay attention to the needs of the Lord whom we love; we need to think about what we need to do in order to please God, and make an effort to do them.   "With all your soul" means pouring out our feeling, just like a lover. If the one you love encounters something exciting, you'd be excited and happy too; if the person encounters something sad, you'd have a heavy heart too. Similarly, God wants us to be happy and sad with Him; when we see the sin of the people of the world, we'd cry with Him; when we see people repent and be saved, we'd be joyful with the angels.   "With all your might" means using everything you've got to love God, including time, money, talents and energy. All these things are from God, so we ought to bring everything before the Lord for Him to use.   "With all your mind" means using our thinking to love God. True love is not blind; so we must do our best in understanding God. We need to read God's word, let is filled our mind, and we'd naturally walk in the path of truth.   Also, we must love our neighbors like we love ourselves. God's will is not for us to simply love Him; if we love God, we will love those whom He loves. Not only should we love to read the Bible, love to pray, but we must love our brothers and sisters. The best testimony from the church is not what we say, nor is it the ceremonies or building on the outside, but the testimony of love. When others see the testimony of us loving one another, they will naturally be drawn before the Lord. Brothers and sisters, can we live out such testimonies in our lives? As long as we love God and love others, we will be able to experience God's faithfulness and abundance in our daily life!    Pray with Pastor Tong     Lord, please give us a soft heart to obey your will. Let your love pour into us from your throne, and draw us closer to you. Let us follow your will so that we may please you, and let those around us benefit from our life as much as possible. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!

Today's Passage - Matthew 22:22-23

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Matthew 22:23-33   That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. "Teacher," they said, "Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up offspring for him. Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died, and since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother. The same thing happened to the second and third brother, right on down to the seventh. Finally, the woman died. Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her? Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. But about the resurrection of the dead-have you not read what God said to you, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?' He is not the God of the dead but of the living." When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching.             What will happen when one dies and goes to heaven? The Sadducees don't believe that the dead would resurrect and be with God eternally. Therefore they asked this question with the intention of putting Jesus in a difficult spot, but they committed a few fundamental errors. First, when we are in heaven, we will no longer living in earthly pattern, without eating, drinking, nor marriage. In other words, when we are in heaven, we no longer have physical needs, but we will be united in the Holy Spirit.             Secondly, when we are in heaven, our eyes will be set on Jesus Christ, not any other person. Our relationship with the Lord will far exceed our relationships with others. In fact, when we are in heaven, it will be impossible for us to focus on others, because we will be totally attracted by the Lord, to a point we would neglect relationships with others and focus on the Lord. When we are attracted by the Lord, our relationships with others will start to vanish.             Thirdly, our God is the God of the living, not God of the dead. In other words, do not worry about death, but live well for Him today, which is more important. We are often concerned about afterlife, but in reality, we ought to be more concerned with how we live our life today. Do you know the God who created you? Do you understand His will for you? Our God is not only the God of Abraham, He is also the God of Isaac and Jacob. Every generation needs to know God for themselves, it is not about you having a spiritual mother or a wife that is fervent to the Lord; it is about whether you come before God and get to know Him.             Jesus rebuked the Sadducees by saying "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God." Many of us have the same problem - We don't understand what God said in the Bible, and we don't understand the power of the Spirit. No wonder we often can't experience the grace of God in our daily lives. May God have mercy on us so that this won't happen to us!   Pray with Pastor Tong     Dear Lord, I thank You, for You are not God of the dead, but you are God of the living. You reign in all circumstances. May You draw us near You so that we can overcome any circumstance and attack from the evil one. I thank You and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!

Today's Passage - Matthew 22:15-22

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Matthew 22:15-22   Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?" But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, "Whose image is this? And whose inscription?" "Caesar's," they replied. Then he said to them, "So give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.             Caesar was the king of the Roman Empire. When the Pharisees asked Jesus that question, they are not seeking His opinion, but rather tempting Him. If Jesus said ones should pay tax, they could accuse Jesus for giving offerings to Caesar not to God before the Jews. If Jesus said not to pay tax, they would have an evident of Him not obeying the Roman Laws. So regardless how Jesus replied, they would be able to accuse Him. But Jesus was wise in saying, "give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."             There are two main points in the response from Jesus. First, "give back to Caesar what is Caesar's." This means that we ought to fulfill our worldly responsibility, for the Lord did the very same. When Jesus wanted to get baptized, John the Baptist asked how He could baptize Jesus. But Jesus said, "It is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." The Lord never teaches us to avoid worldly responsibilities such as taxation or civic duty. In fact, we should fulfill our responsibilities in these areas, so that others can see the righteousness of God through us, if not, we are bringing shame to the name of the Lord.             Secondly, "give to God what is God's." This means we should give God our hearts. God cares about whether we love Him much more than taxation. If we love God, He will teach us how to live our lives. When Peter had no money to pay tax, Jesus taught Him to go fishing, and He found money in the fish's mouth for tax. Dear brothers and sisters, do you give to God what is God's? Many times we excel at fulfilling our worldly responsibilities but forget about our spiritual responsibilities. When God asks us to tithe, are we doing it willingly? To give God 10% among all that He has given to us financially is a principle that He has determined. May the Lord give us a gentle heart to obey His commandment!   Pray with Pastor Tong     Dear Lord, may You teach us how to exalt You in our daily life and to give You our hearts. Help us to have good testimonies on Earth so that Your name is glorified. I thank You and I pray all these in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!