
“I will have Mercy, and not Sacrifice”: What does this really Mean? [podcast]
“But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Matthew 9:13
Jesus specifically instructs us to “go ye and learn what that meaneth.”
UNTIL, as an individual, you begin to realize just how wicked you really are, you will never begin to appreciate what our KING and Savior did on that cross!
Matthew 9:9-13 – Jesus calls Matthew
9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Approaching God on the basis of His divine mercy and in holy fear:
“But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy MERCY: and in thy FEAR will I worship toward thy holy temple.” Psalms 5:7
In light of our own utter depravity and unworthiness, we must approach God on the basis of His sheer mercy.
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:5-7
With no exception, each of us is in utter need of God’s mercy – initially at salvation and ongoing.
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Isaiah 64:6
“Refusal to pray because of the guilt of your sins is like refusing to take you bath because you are dirty. Pray.” Augustine Mario
It reveals a great imbalance when someone preaches “holiness” and never mercy. There is hope in the Gospel – the only hope – and that is Christ who said “I will have mercy, and not sacrifice.” In this passage Jesus is revealing to us that He came to save sinners, not to destroy them (Luke 9:56; John 3:17). Yet He only saves those who are willing to admit they are sinners and repent, putting their faith in Him, following Him. Prayerfully declaring verses like Romans 7:18, 24 and Titus 3:5-7 daily defuses evil self-righteousness.
In the divine economy, does mercy triumph over judgment or does judgment triumph over mercy? – “For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment“ (James 2:13).
Are we preaching AT people or TO people? Do we view our listeners are enemies OR eternal souls that Jesus loves and came to save from their sins?
Paul wrote:
“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Timothy 1:15-17
All of our unrighteousness went on Christ so that all of His righteousness could come on us.
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21
Adam is the father of the old man, the fallen man. Jesus is the King of the new man the new creation (Romans 5).
ALL men have sinned against God and are guilty (Romans 3). Yet, only a few are willing to honestly admit their sin before God and receive His mercy. Flanking our LORD on crosses also, one of those sinners humbled himself and is and forever will be in glory. The other chose to harden his heart and consequently is and forever will be in Hell.
God will forgive “ALL sins” except one:
“Verily I say unto you, ALL sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: 29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:” Mark 3:28-29
How about the two men who went up to pray? One was heard and the other not (Luke 18:9-14).
“Israel was bringing sacrifices and offerings to the Lord on their feast days, but their lives were corrupt, so their offerings were rejected by God. He would rather have righteousness than ritual. Even in the wilderness, when professing to worship Jehovah, they had practiced idolatry with Moloch and other idols, such as Sikkuth and Chiun.” William MacDonald
All men have sinned and God only forgives and saves those who fall upon His sheer mercy in conviction, contrition, and brokenness. All others forfeit His gift of salvation in Christ.
“Hell is full of people who think they deserve heaven. Heaven is full of people who know they deserve Hell.” Unknown
Notes on this passage from William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary
“Matthew 9:9-13
I. Jesus Calls Matthew the Tax Collector (9:9-13)
9:9 The tense atmosphere building up around the Savior is temporarily relieved by Matthew’s simple and humble account of his own call. A tax-collector or custom house officer, he and his fellow officials were hated intensely by the Jews because of their crookedness, because of the oppressive taxes they exacted, and most of all, because they served the interests of the Roman Empire, Israel’s overlord. As Jesus passed the tax office, He said to Matthew, ‘Follow Me.’ The response was instantaneous; he arose and followed; leaving a traditionally dishonest job to become an instant disciple of Jesus. As someone has said, ‘He lost a comfortable job, but he found a destiny. He lost a good income but he found honor. He lost a comfortable security, but he found an adventure the like of which he had never dreamed.’ Not the least among his rewards were that he became one of the twelve and was honored to write the Gospel which bears his name.
9:10 The meal described here was arranged by Matthew in honor of Jesus (Luke 5:29). It was his way of confessing Christ publicly and of introducing his associates to the Savior. Necessarily, therefore, the guests were tax-collectors and others generally known to be sinners!
9:11 It was the practice in those days to eat reclining on couches and facing the table. When the Pharisees saw Jesus associating in this way with the social riff-raff, they went to His disciples and charged Him with “guilt by association”; surely no true prophet would eat with sinners!
9:12 Jesus overheard and answered, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.’ The Pharisees considered themselves healthy and were unwilling to confess their need for Jesus. (Actually they were extremely ill spiritually and desperately needed healing.) The tax collectors and sinners, by contrast, were more willing to acknowledge their true condition and to seek Christ’s saving grace. So the charge was true! Jesus did eat with sinners. If He had eaten with the Pharisees, the charge would still have been true—perhaps even more so! If Jesus hadn’t eaten with sinners in a world like ours, He would always have eaten alone. But it is important to remember that when He ate with sinners, He never indulged in their evil ways or compromised His testimony. He used the occasion to call men to truth and holiness.
9:13 The Pharisees’ trouble was that although they followed the rituals of Judaism with great precision, their hearts were hard, cold, and merciless. So Jesus dismissed them with a challenge to learn the meaning of Jehovah’s words, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice’ (quoted from Hos_6:6). Although God had instituted the sacrificial system, He did not want the rituals to become a substitute for inward righteousness. God is not a ritualist, and He is not pleased with rituals divorced from personal godliness—precisely what the Pharisees had done. They observed the letter of the law but had no compassion for those who needed spiritual help. They associated only with self-righteous people like themselves.
In contrast, the Lord Jesus pointedly told them, ‘I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’ He perfectly fulfilled God’s desire for mercy as well as sacrifice. In one sense, there are no righteous people in the world, so He came to call all men to repentance. But here the thought is that His call is only effective for those who acknowledge themselves to be sinners. He can dispense no healing to those who are proud, self-righteous, and unrepentant—like the Pharisees.”
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Abiding
The Harvest is Coming for all those Sowing the Seed of the Word [podcast]

The Joy and Expectation of Seed Sowing
What we sow, we can expect to reap (Galatians 6:7-8).
As we continue to sow the good, the incorruptible seed of God’s Word into the hearts of men, good news will continue to flow, will continue to be reaped – because God’s Word prospers in the thing where He sends it! See also 1 Peter 1:23.
“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11
The following song captures the need, the importance, and the urgency of reaching the lost souls around us:
Voices, by the band Harvest
Words and Music by Jerry Williams
Voices in the city, voices in the street.
Voices in each home across the land.
Voices in the churches, saying “Peace, be still.”
Where are all the voices in My fields?
Chorus:
Millions and millions dying.
Millions and millions crying.
Millions and millions don’t know who I am.
Children on the highways
Children on the run.
Mothers in the alley ways,
They’re killing all their sons.
The world is blinded in darkness.
I’ve given them the way.
Where are all My voices to lead them out today?
(Repeat chorus)
Where are the millions who love Me?
Where are the millions who say they know Me?
Where are the millions who’ll stand and follow Me?
Exactly where you are is part of “all the world.”
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Mark 16:15-16
Also, Jesus gives His Gospel as an ultimatum. Is Jesus intending that we bring the hearers of His Gospel to a decision? Seems like it. Read the passage again.
“So today I was driving through our town and saw a guy sitting on his porch reading a Jesus tract! Praise Jesus. I prayed that the words he was reading would be sealed in his heart! They are being left throughout our town. Everyday I put one on top of a newspaper stand. It is always gone next day! Seeds of God’s Word are being planted all over our town and will not return void! Isaiah 55:11. Hallelujah!” Karen Cochran
As Christ’s laborers our duty, getting the seed of our LORD’s Word into the hearts of the people, is of the utmost divine priority.
“The seed is the word of God.” Luke 8:11
Sinners are brought to Jesus, are born again, by way of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God being sown into their hearts.
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” 1 Peter 2:23
When His seed is sown, God can bring the increase of conviction, drawing, and salvation (John 12:32; Romans 1:16, etc.).
“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-9
The conversion of the soul to Christ comes by way of the Word of God.
“The law (Word) of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” Psalm 19:7
What’s the future look like for those who sow, plant God’s Word in the hearts of men?
“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves (harvest) with him.” Psalms 126:5-6
“Just letting you know I’ve been putting those JESUS tracts in empty gym lockers when I go to the gym and praying that God’s Spirit moves on the hearts of the people that get one! And as you know He can do it! Have a Blessed Day.” Laurie Cox
Read, download the print-ready pdf of the JESUS tract here.
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58
“1 Corinthians 15: 58. This verse is for all of us who labor for the Lord. We are to be unshakable. Letting nothing move us from the hope of the gospel. We are servants of Christ ever ‘abounding in the work of the Lord.’ Abounding in the furthering of the gospel. Our labor ‘in the Lord’ will be rewarded. Yesterday the Lord gave me a small reward seeing that man sitting on his porch reading the Jesus tract. And since we are laborers together it is a small reward for all of us! We, each member of Christ’s body, the world over, are team Jesus! And He is our eternal reward! We shall be with Him forever in the New Jerusalem!” Karen Cochran
“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Hebrews 6:10-12
YOUR PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You sent Your only begotten Son to rescue, to forgive, to save me. If You can find and save me, You can find and save anyone! Please prepare and use me LORD Jesus. Into Thy holy hands I here and now submit my spirit to Thee dear LORD. I love You Jesus. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Articles
“The Supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ” [podcast]

Don’t Miss This Blessing!
EVER Seen This Verse? Just Wow! PRAYERS appropriate the divine fuel from Heaven saints!!!! Check out this verse! Please hit SHARE to bless Christ’s body!
Do we even begin to realize the profound and immeasurable potential that lies in the power link of prayer? Jesus Christ is forever at His Father’s right hand making intercession for all of His beloved people (Heb. 7:24-25; 10:19-22).
Okay are you ready for a truth that is going to change your life forever? Read the following Bible verse slowly and for all it’s worth, drinking it in:
“For I know that this shall turn to my salvation (blessings, deliverance, and provision) through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:19
Whatever you do today, grab this Bible verse which will then be with you all your days!
In speaking to Christian people he was in fellowship with, this disciple of Jesus – no different than you and I – said that it was “through your prayer” that “the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ” was given to him in his life! Did you catch that?!
How does the LORD bless His people when we pray for them? Is it not by giving them a greater portion and measure of “the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ”?
LIFE CHANGING NUGGET FROM GOD’S WORD
How many of us are thrilled that “the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ” comes upon us by way of, as a result of the prayers of His saints? Wow!
Let’s read it again:
“For I know that this shall turn to my salvation (deliverance, safety, blessings) through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,” Philippians 1:19
Did you realize that the person or people you pray for are given a fresh and greater portion of “the Spirit of Jesus Christ”? According to this insightful truth out of the Holy Spirit inspired pen of the apostle Paul, the Father in Heaven blesses those we lift in prayer with the blessed Person and work of the Holy Spirit. “The spirit of Jesus Christ” is dispensed and poured out into the hearts and lives of those we pray for! This is what Paul told us was happening to him as the saints prayed for him.
Prayerlessness is Sin
Make no mistake, prayerlessness is a sin. Prayerlessness is direct disobedience to the command of God. Prayerlessness is a manifestation of faithlessness. Prayerlessness is the epitome of self-trust and self-dependency. Prayerlessness is the rejection of God in your life – the refusal to trust Him (Matthew 26:41).
“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41
YOUR PRAYER LIFE IS A CLEAR MEASURE OF HOW MUCH YOU LOVE GOD-OR NOT. love, to seek, to worship, and to trust Him. No need to seek God in prayer when pride and self-sufficiency reign on the throne of one’s heart.
The power of God working in us will be according to that which comes into us as we pray (Matthew 26:41).
PRAYER: Father in Heaven, in the name of Jesus, please forgive me for taking prayer communion, supplications (humble requests), praying for others, and prayer requests for granted. Forgive me also for the sin of prayerlessness and for not lifting others in prayer more. Thank You LORD for the unspeakable, incredible blessing of prayer. Your perfect sacrificial blood on that cross made our access to the Father possible and speaks for Your people in Heaven right now and forevermore! Jesus, please bless Your people to be faithful to request those things You have revealed in Your Word for each other! Thank You Father for pouring out Your Holy Spirit upon Your people afresh this hour and also every time we lift each other to You in prayer! Thank You right now for the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ being poured out on Your beloved people. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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Articles
“I Love You Son” [podcast]

THIS WILL GIVE YOU CHILLS: (author unknown)
“I LOVE YOU SON”
AFTER A FEW OF THE USUAL SUNDAY EVENING HYMNS,
THE CHURCH’S PASTOR SLOWLY STOOD UP,
WALKED OVER TO THE PULPIT AND,
BEFORE HE GAVE HIS SERMON FOR THE EVENING,
HE BRIEFLY INTRODUCED A GUEST MINISTER
WHO WAS IN THE SERVICE THAT EVENING.
IN THE INTRODUCTION, THE PASTOR TOLD THE
CONGREGATION THAT THE GUEST MINISTER WAS
ONE OF HIS DEAREST CHILDHOOD FRIENDS AND
THAT HE WANTED HIM TO HAVE A FEW MOMENTS
TO GREET THE CHURCH AND SHARE WHATEVER
HE FELT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE SERVICE.
WITH THAT, AN ELDERLY MAN STEPPED UP TO THE
PULPIT AND BEGAN TO SPEAK.
“A FATHER, HIS SON, AND A FRIEND OF HIS SON WERE
SAILING OFF THE PACIFIC COAST,” HE BEGAN.
“WHEN A FAST APPROACHING STORM BLOCKED ANY
ATTEMPT TO GET BACK TO THE SHORE.
THE WAVES WERE SO HIGH, THAT EVEN THOUGH THE
FATHER WAS AN EXPERIENCED SAILOR, HE COULD NOT
KEEP THE BOAT UPRIGHT AND THE THREE WERE SWEPT
INTO THE OCEAN AS THE BOAT CAPSIZED.”
THE OLD MAN HESITATED FOR A MOMENT,
MAKING EYE CONTACT WITH TWO TEENAGERS WHO WERE,
FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE SERVICE BEGAN,
LOOKING SOMEWHAT INTERESTED IN HIS STORY.
THE AGED MINISTER CONTINUED WITH HIS STORY,
“GRABBING A RESCUE LINE, THE FATHER HAD TO MAKE THE
MOST EXCRUCIATING DECISION OF HIS LIFE: TO WHICH BOY
WOULD HE THROW THE OTHER END OF THE LIFE LINE.
HE ONLY HAD SECONDS TO MAKE THE DECISION.
THE FATHER KNEW THAT HIS SON WAS A CHRISTIAN AND
HE, ALSO, KNEW THAT HIS SON’S FRIEND WAS NOT.
THE AGONY OF HIS DECISION COULD NOT BE MATCHED BY
THE TORRENT OF WAVES.
AS THE FATHER YELLED OUT, ‘I LOVE YOU, SON!’
HE THREW OUT THE LIFE LINE TO HIS SON’S FRIEND.
BY THE TIME THE FATHER HAD PULLED THE FRIEND BACK
TO THE CAPSIZED BOAT, HIS SON HAD DISAPPEARED BENEATH
THE RAGING SWELLS INTO THE BLACK OF NIGHT.
HIS BODY WAS NEVER RECOVERED.
BY THIS TIME, THE TWO TEENAGERS WERE SITTING UP
STRAIGHT IN THE PEW, ANXIOUSLY WAITING FOR THE NEXT
WORDS TO COME OUT OF THE OLD MINISTER’S MOUTH.
“THE FATHER,” HE CONTINUED, “KNEW HIS SON WOULD
STEP INTO ETERNITY WITH JESUS AND HE COULD NOT
BEAR THE THOUGHT OF HIS SON’S FRIEND STEPPING INTO
AN ETERNITY WITHOUT JESUS. THEREFORE, HE SACRIFICED
HIS SON TO SAVE THE SON’S FRIEND.”
HOW GREAT IS THE LOVE OF GOD THAT HE SHOULD DO THE
SAME FOR US. OUR HEAVENLY FATHER SACRIFICED HIS ONLY
BEGOTTEN SON THAT WE COULD BE SAVED. I URGE YOU TO
ACCEPT HIS OFFER TO RESCUE YOU AND TAKE A HOLD OF THE
LIFE LINE HE IS THROWING OUT TO YOU IN THIS SERVICE.”
WITH THAT, THE OLD MAN TURNED AND SAT BACK DOWN IN
HIS CHAIR AS SILENCE FILLED THE ROOM.
THE PASTOR AGAIN WALKED SLOWLY TO THE PULPIT AND
DELIVERED A BRIEF SERMON WITH AN INVITATION AT THE
END. HOWEVER, NO ONE RESPONDED TO THE APPEAL.
WITHIN MINUTES AFTER THE SERVICE ENDED, THE TWO
TEENAGERS WERE AT THE OLD MAN’S SIDE.
“THAT WAS A NICE STORY,” POLITELY STATED ONE OF
THEM, “BUT I DON’T THINK IT WAS VERY REALISTIC FOR A
FATHER TO GIVE UP HIS ONLY SON’S LIFE IN HOPES THAT
THE OTHER BOY WOULD BECOME A CHRISTIAN.”
“WELL, YOU’VE GOT A POINT THERE,” THE OLD MAN REPLIED,
GLANCING DOWN AT HIS WORN BIBLE. A BIG SMILE BROADENED
HIS NARROW FACE. HE ONCE AGAIN LOOKED UP AT THE BOYS
AND SAID, “IT SURE ISN’T VERY REALISTIC, IS IT? BUT,
I’M STANDING HERE TODAY TO TELL YOU THAT STORY GIVES
ME A GLIMPSE OF WHAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN LIKE FOR GOD
TO GIVE UP HIS SON FOR ME.
YOU SEE…
I WAS THAT FATHER AND YOUR PASTOR IS MY SON’S FRIEND.”
Making Peace with God | Fresh Start with God TODAY!
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