Tag: Southern Gospel Radio

Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath

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Mathew 12:8-14 8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”  9 Departing from there, He went into their synagogue. 10 And a man was there whose hand was withered. And they questioned Jesus, asking, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—so that they might bring charges against Him. 11 But He said to them, “What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? 12 How much more valuable then is a person than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” 13 Then He *said to the man, “Stretch out your hand!” He stretched it out, and it was restored to normal, like the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against Him, as to how they might destroy Him.

Floyd Rogers – Texas Gospel Volunteer, Christian writer

Matthew 12: 8-14 tells us of the Pharisees continued effort to condemn Jesus. Earlier, they pressed him about his apostles picking the heads of grain to eat as they walked on the Sabbath. Now they question him as he heals a man on the Sabbath. Let’s consider why Matthew choose to write about this account. Was he showing us that Jesus was above the law, or is something else going on here? Why did he call himself Lord of the Sabbath? Let’s see what the Bible says about his motive in all of this.

I think Matthew’s purpose is to show the difference between the legalism of the Pharisees who exploited the law, and those who have a heart of service to God. Jesus had just said his burden is light, but the Pharisees used the law to make very heavy burdens as a way to impose their will. Jesus called himself Lord of the Sabbath as he responded to their misuse of the law. So, what was his point?

Some have suggested Jesus used the phrase Lord of the Sabbath to show that he is above the law. These verses could be understood this way. But consider the context. The Pharisees legalistic system of interpretation created a burden for God’s people. Now we see the Pharisees using the the law as a weapon against Jesus. Matthew tells us their purpose was, “…that they might bring charges against Him.” I don’t think Jesus was just saying he is above the law, but that he knows the law and sees through their self-serving application of it. The law was certainly not created for the Pharisees to use as a tool of submission.  It seems the Pharisees portrayed healing a man as work because they wanted to persecute Jesus. It was a self-serving interpretation of the Law. But was Jesus “working” on the Sabbath? Let’s look at what Jesus did and his motive.

Jesus was motivated by compassion for a man who needed healing. He was not motivated by the desire to finish a job (work,) which was forbidden on the Sabbath. To illustrate this he pointed out that the Pharisees would have no problem with a man rescuing a sheep who fell into a ditch on the Sabbath. Isn’t the point that Jesus knew law and was calling out the Pharisees who misinterpreted it out of malice. Doesn’t this make Jesus Lord of the Sabbath?

What are your thoughts?

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If faith comes from witnessing a miracle, how can it be a gift?

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Floyd Rogers – Texas Gospel Volunteer, Christian writer

Matthew 11:20-24 NASB:  
20 Then He began to reprimand the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that occurred in you had occurred in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 Nevertheless I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You will be brought down to Hades! For if the miracles that occurred in you had occurred in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 Nevertheless I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment, than for you.”

Matthew 11:20-24 tells us there were cities who refused to repent even though they saw Jesus’ miracles. Does this imply that faith comes from our ability to deduce from things we’ve seen? I believe to answer this question we need to understand that there are different kinds of faith and we need to determine what kind of faith is Matthew talking about.

The scripture tells us we are saved by grace through faith that does not come from our abilities. Saving faith is a gift from of God so that no one can brag that he or she did anything. Doesn’t this tell us that if we have faith in someone because we witnessed him or her perform a miracle, that it is not faith unto salvation? Let me put this another way: If I see something and deduce something from what I saw, I am exercising my own ability to reason.  But saving faith is a gift that does not come from my own ability. This is why I say there is more than one kind of faith.

You can have faith in a doctor’s ability to diagnose a disease, or faith in your wife’s fidelity, or faith in many other things that result from our experiences and our ability to infer from them. These are all types of faith, but not saving faith. So, what kind of faith Matthew is talking about in Chapter 11?

These cities may have gained faith in Jesus’ abilities from watching him work miracles. But faith in Jesus’ abilities to heal is not faith unto salvation. Jesus made it clear that these folks witnessed miracles and still rejected Christ’s message. He said they are worthy of a greater punishment than Tyre and Sidon. Consider, a gift is something we can accept or reject. These people made a conscious effort to reject Jesus’ message, even if it meant rejecting things they saw with their own eyes. Matthew Henry put it this way, “Christ knew that the hearts of the Jews were more bitter and hardened against his miracles and doctrines, than those of Tyre and Sidon would have been therefore their condemnation would be the greater” 1 They refused to have faith in Jesus’ ability to heal or that his healings were works of God. Did they also reject salvation through Jesus blood after he was crucified?  

What are your thoughts?

  1. Henry, Matthew. 1706. Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible https://biblehub.com/commentaries/mhc/matthew/11.htm

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Does Matthew tell us to be violent as we proclaim the Gospel?

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Floyd Rogers – Texas Gospel Volunteer, Christian writer

Matthew 11:12 NASB:   12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has been treated violently, and violent men take it by force.  

The 11th Chapter of Matthew uses a phrase that may be misleading to our modern ear. I think it’s something that can lead to a gross misunderstanding caused by the limitation of human language and translation. The 12th verse tells us the kingdom of Heaven has been treated violently, and violent men take it by force. Is this verse advocating physical violence? All scripture must be understood within context, and a reader of any English Bible needs to consider translation of language and the differences in which people spoke in Jesus’ time from modern ways of saying things. So, let’s start with what is being said around this verse.

Matthew had just told his apostles that their words would not be received well by some.  They would be called up for judgement and even relatives would rise up against those who proclaimed Jesus’ words.  He said he did not bring peace, but a sword. I believe this is a metaphor to describe the resistance some would give. Now we see Jesus speaking of John who was in prison for preaching the Gospel without compromise. John did not use a passive or timid approach to preach. He went so far as to speak against Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, because Herod had taken his brother’s wife as his own. Though John and the other apostles did not use physical aggression, they forcefully moved forward in proclaiming word of Jesus. I believe this is Jesus’ point. If he advocated physical violence then why later does Matthew tell us Jesus rebuked Peter for using a sword telling him, “…those who take up the sword will perish by the sword”?

Context tells us Jesus did not advocate violence. It also shows us Matthew uses metaphors of physical violence to drive home his point.  With this in mind it seems Matthew 11:12 doesn’t tell us to be violent, but stresses the urgency to preach the Gospel, and the need for a vigorous pursuit of the Kingdom of Heaven.

What are your thoughts?

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Heaven’s Mountain Band Announces Retirement

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SPECIAL FAMILY MUSIC BLUEGRASS

Nashville, TN (April 26, 2023) The multi-award-winning bluegrass gospel band, Heaven’s Mountain Band, has announced their retirement after 37 years of ministry. This comes after the unexpected passing of beloved group matriarch, Deborah Johnson.

Roger Johnson states, “Rodney and I have prayed and we feel it is time to retire the group. I will continue writing music as long as the Lord gives me songs to write! We’d like to thank everyone for the years on the road, for buying our music, and praying for us. Please continue to lift us up in prayer. This retirement is effective immediately.”

Heaven’s Moutain Band has established themselves as one of the top groups in bluegrass gospel today! Career highlights include 10 consecutive Singing News #1 songs, multi-Diamond Award winner and Singing News Fan Award nominee. They were blessed to perform at some of the most prestigious venues, such as Dollywood, Hominy Valley and Shadow Valley, but their heart was ministering in local churches across America.

Les Butler, FMG label owner and HMB fan states, “I personally believe the impact that HMB had on fans of REAL traditional Bluegrass Gospel Music will resonate for generations to come. The comments we’ve gotten at the office, as well as in person over the years, from music buyers and church members have been overwhelming. HMB was not your normal bluegrass gospel band. They were much more and much deeper than that. The retirement of the Primitive QT and HMB is leaving a cavernous hole; one that I’m not sure will ever be filled.”

Butler continues, “On a personal level, I simply don’t have the words for what the Johnson family has meant to me, my family, and FMG. My, how we will miss being with Debbie, Roger, Rodney Johnson, and all of HMB! This is truly a sad day for me.”

Heaven’s Mountain Band continues to top Bluegrass Gospel chart

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SPECIAL FAMILY MUSIC GROUP

Nashville, TN (April 18, 2023) Family Music Group and the FMG Bluegrass label would like to congratulate multi-award-winning, Heaven’s Mountain Band for their #1 song, “Better Times,” on both the Singing News Bluegrass and the SGN Bluegrass charts!

“Better Times,” is the title track of Heaven’s Mountain Band’s latest album, written by group patriarch, Roger Johnson. The song tugs on the heartstrings and gives the listener a glimpse into yesterday, reminding them of our Godly heritage.

Heaven’s Mountain Band is no stranger to radio or to the music industry. In their 37 years of ministry, they have established themselves as one of Bluegrass Gospel’s top groups. They have garnered ten consecutive Singing News #1 songs, multiple Singing News Fan Award Nominations, and have been featured in many prestigious venues like Shadow Valley, Hominy Valley, and Dollywood.

This charting news came at the same time as the Johnson Family and Heaven’s Mountain Band were celebrating the homegoing of Roger’s wife and group matriarch, Debbie Johnson. So, the news was bitter-sweet, yet fitting. Debbie left this world, with success in the world’s eyes, but entered Heaven with the REAL success of meeting Jesus, her Savior!

For more information on Heaven’s Mountain Band, visit them online at: heavensmountainband.net