Mount Pleasant Baptist Church

Daily Nugget: Many of the details of the most important event in human history are outlined here in Matthew 27. It is the event that had to happen to give all the opportunity to see and live with God forever. This event was the death of God’s only begotten son, Jesus. Jesus’ death had to happen. In God’s plan, it was the only way anyone’s sins could be paid for. Our “good” works, religious ceremonies, and obeying tradition cannot pay for one sin we have done, let alone the countless number we have committed. The only payment acceptable to God for our sins was the sacrificial death of His son. Jesus’ death on the cross was not for anything He had done, but for what all mankind’s iniquities. Although Jesus was God’s son, the pain and suffering He encountered were not lessened. Here is a list of some of what Jesus suffered when He went to the cross for our sins: He was bound (Mat. 27:2). He was betrayed (vs. 3). He was falsely accused (vs. 12). He was unjustly convicted. He w...

Daily Nugget: It is such a terrible shock when it is discovered that a person we thought was faithful to the Lord, gets involved in the wrong things, and turns his back on the cause of Christ. It is even more surprising when it was one that was also involved in a ministry. It does happen. This unfortunate event even happened in our Lord’s ministry. Judas Iscariot, one of Christ's disciples that walked, talked, and even heard the best preaching ever, turned on Jesus and was used to have Jesus killed. Here are other Scriptures that reveal more about the infamous traitor that turned on our Saviour: He was one of the 12 apostles. "Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betraye...

Daily Nugget: As usual, to understand Scripture, one must always keep in mind the context of what has been written. To grasp Matthew 25 fully, one must go back to what was previously discussed. Matthew 24 is a good starting point to understand this chapter more clearly. In Mat. 24:3, Jesus was answering the query of his disciples: “…Tell us, when shall these things (the disciples were referring to Jesus’ prophecy of what would happen to the temple — Mat. 24:3) be? And what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” Jesus then went on to tell them about the deception that would be faced, catastrophes, wars, false prophets and worship, the “great tribulation” (Mat. 24:21), and the Lord’s return (Mat. 24:27). Jesus gave a summation of what would happen in the days of which his followers were asking. After Jesus’ answer, Matthew 25 starts with the word “Then,” which makes it clear that what is to follow in this chapter is a continuation of Matthew 24. Matthew 25:...

Daily Nugget: After the questions, “Is there a God?” and “Can I know for sure if I am going to Heaven?” the third most frequently asked spiritual question is most likely, “When will the end of the Earth come?” Many feel because of all the talk of war, famines, earthquakes, and natural disasters that the time is getting closer. Even the unsaved and those unconcerned about the things of God feel an urgency that that time is getting nearer. Matthew 24 gives the reader a glimpse and summation of what will come one day. Matthew 24 tells the reader that the calamities that occur on the earth are only the beginning of sorrows (Mat. 24:8). There have and always will be earthquakes, famines, and other disasters. Even the excessive occurrences and rumors of war are only the beginning of what will one day happen at the “end.” This chapter says the end days will be marked by persecution and death to those that stand for Christ. Although that has taken place in the past, many also see that...

Daily Nugget: “Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.” Matthew 23:2-4 Everyone that has invited anyone to church has most likely heard the same excuse for their not wanting to attend. It is an excuse that cuts chillingly to the bone of most churchgoers when they hear it, and it instantly puts them on the defensive. The church-avoider’s reason is, “I will not go to church because the church is full of hypocrites.” Churches are filled with hypocrites. Of course, the biggest of the hypocrites are those wagging their judging fingers at those that are at least attempting to do something right and Scriptural, and at least do attend church. No one is perfect. If we were perfect, w...

Daily Nugget: “Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? 19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. 20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? 21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.” Matthew 22:17-21 Among Christians, there is often the question, “Should we support the government financially?” Here in Matthew 22, Christ declares that we should pay our taxes. Knowing that the religious “powers” of His time were trying to trap Him, Jesus answered them wisely when He was asked about supporting the government. Christ knew they wanted Him to say that it was wrong to pay taxes to the Romans, so they could turn Him in and let the government get rid of Him. His answer surprised and quieted them. He told them that they should pay their taxes. Some Christians today ma...

Daily Nugget: “And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” Matthew 21:12-13 The world, and unfortunately many Christians, have a nonbiblical idea as to how a Christian should behave. Somehow many are convinced that a Christian should be tolerant of those doing wrong and never voice his opinion. Nowhere in the Bible is tolerance to evil suggested. In Matthew 21:12-13, we see a contrary example to the pathetic, polite, and “proper” image that most think marks the behavior of a Christian. In this example, the person that did the opposite was the Saviour Himself – Jesus. Jesus saw what man did to the House of God. Some wanted to make money, so they came up with enterprising ideas to make a “buck” using the religion. They kne...

Daily Nugget: “Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?” Matthew 20:15  Does a Christian have the right to do whatever he wants with his life? According to God’s Word: No! The context in this chapter is, again, the millennial reign when Christ rules this earth for 1,000 years (See discussion in Matthew 5). It is giving one another idea of what will happen during that time, and how some will be rewarded. In Jesus’ illustration, he told how workers starting at different times of the day got paid what the master thought was fair. They got paid the same, no matter if they worked 10 hours or one hour. The “boss” was doing the hiring, and all agreed to work for what he offered them. The whole point of the illustration was to teach that the master was the one in charge, and it was by His rules by which they had to abide. “… God is not going to reward you for the amount of work you have done. He will reward you according to ...

Daily Nugget: A rich man came to Jesus unintentionally admitting that he had committed the same mistake that most of the religious and irreligious would not dare to confess. He had the same philosophy that is responsible for sending most lost people to Hell. This terrible iniquity is where over 90% of churches and religions in the world are wrong. His confession was, “… what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life” (Matthew 19:16). This ruler (Luke 18:18) was trying to work his way to Heaven by doing all he could to earn himself a place in Heaven. He and most religions think that if you do enough good things, that the good will outweigh the bad, and God will let you into Heaven. Wrong! Unbiblical. That is what distinguishes all man-made religions from real Christianity! Other religions teach that doing something as traditions, rules, catechisms, rites, sacraments, pillars of the faith, or their religion’s teachings will get them to Heaven. Real Christianity is the on...

Daily Nugget: “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.” Matthew 18:15-17 Everybody has had a problem with somebody sometime. What does the Bible say to do when you are offended? It does not say to start a smear campaign and tell everybody your side of the situation to get them on “your side.” That usually gets a whole bunch of people bitter at the other person. When you do that, and convincingly get that person to think you are right and the other wrong, you are bringing the innocent listener “shame and folly” (Proverbs 18:13) for making him judge a situation witho...