Heirloom

Good morning and welcome in everybody. Today we are going to take a look at a passage of Scripture, but before we do that I wanted to tell you a little story.

What are some of the most precious things that you possess? Maybe it’s an heirloom that has been handed down through your families for many years, such as a set of China or holiday silverware. It might even be a special wedding suit that was worn by a relative centuries ago. These items mean a lot to you and hold great sentimental value. Would you then take them out to the pig pen and let them use it for bedding or to eat out of them? Would you put them in the kennel, only to allow your dog to ruin them? Probably not, because they mean a lot to you. 

This reminds me of the Christian Life.

The teachings of our faith is a precious heirloom, the greatest treasure that we could ever possess, but to some people they really are not worth anything at all. Rather than receive the truth, they will fight against it, being contentious and ripping it to shreds. We don’t give our valuables to the animals in the barn, and if people reject the precious gospel of Grace and Truth, they are unworthy of the knowledge of Christ. 

 “Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.” Matthew 7:6

The things of God were the greatest treasure that Moses could possess, insomuch that he gave up everything else in order to obtain it. But many people do not place the same value on Spiritual things as He did. Rather than lovingly embrace scriptural truth, people become argumentative and rebellious, fighting against the things of the Holy Spirit. Rather than receiving you, they turn their ears away from the truth. They judge themselves unworthy of the things of Christ, as they close the door of their hearts on the things that lead to eternal life.

 Acts 13 ⁴⁵ But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.

⁴⁶ Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.

The Lord Jesus even warned certain communities about their rejection of the Gospel. If they are going to openly reject the gospel of repentance, then they are unworthy of salvation. You can’t live people’s lives for them, but at least they were given the opportunity to be saved from God’s everlasting punishment.

Matthew 11 ²⁰ Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: ²¹ Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. ²² But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. ²³ And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. ²⁴ But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

You don’t take your precious things and give them to the pigs. Neither do you give the spiritual riches of Christ to those who reject them. If they won’t accept the truth of scripture, and despise the gospel, then they hate both Christ Jesus and the Heavenly Father. When they close their ears to biblical truth, they are closing the door on any hope of eternal life.

“He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.” Luke 10:16

There have been many times in my life when I have talked to people about scripture, but they simply would not accept the truth. It’s an act of love to reach out to people in an attempt to save their souls from eternal damnation. But rather than open their arms to the teachings of the Gospel, some people will close off their hearts to the path of repentance. Many of them actually profess to be Christian, but in their hearts, they are enemies of the Cross of Christ. 

Philippians 3 ¹⁸  (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: ¹⁹ Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)

But you cannot talk to the rebellious and to the impenitent, because it’s like trying to talk to a brick wall. If they reject scriptural truth, then they must be rejected. The sheep of God are out there, all they have done is prove that they are goats. They judge themselves unworthy of the precious knowledge of Christ, and we must shake the dust off and move on. 

Matthew 10 ¹² And when ye come into an house, salute it. ¹³ And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. ¹⁴ And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.

¹⁵ Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.

“And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against them.” Luke 9:5

The Apostle Paul dealt with this numerous times in his life. 

Acts 13 ⁵⁰ But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. ⁵¹ But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium. ⁵² And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.

Acts 18 ⁵ And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. ⁶ And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.

The doctrines of Christ lead us to salvation and eternal life, but those who resist the truth of the Gospel simply do not deserve it. Don’t take it personally, just move on, because salvation has just passed them by. Their open rejection to the doctrines of our faith, is their own self-condemnation, and by their words they shall be condemned.

But to faithful believers, the doctrines of Christ are riches that are beyond comparison. More precious than pearls, greater than rubies, and an everlasting……. 

……Heirloom

Let’s think about these things for right now.  We can be found on your web browser by searching, tlkjbc  where you can find our diaries distributed through various platforms. We are not associated, nor affiliated with any other religious goups. You can get our entire podcast feeds directly, along with transcripts at tlkjbc.com or I suppose that you could find us somewhere up here, in the Great Northern Minnesota woods. Peace to you, and Lord willing, we will talk with you some more tomorrow. Till then, bye bye everybody. ❤️

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