Mount Pleasant Baptist Church

Daily Nugget: When Jesus died on the Cross, many things happened. Luke 23 reveals that: He was crucified between two criminals. He forgave those that did wrong to Him. Soldiers gambled for Jesus’ possessions. The rulers and soldiers mocked Him. Jesus was offered vinegar (possibly a poor grade wine) to numb the pain. However, while Jesus hung on the cross, several things happened because of who He was. Some of the events that happened because He was God’s only Son included: One of the criminals that was crucified with Jesus mocked Jesus. Even when the man’s death was imminent, his heart was hardened, and he not did accept the opportunity he had to turn to God (Luke 23:39). The malefactor on Jesus’ other side did recognize who Jesus was. During his last moments, he did recognize that Jesus was different. He was saved at his last opportunity (Luke 23:41-43). By the way, for those that say baptism is necessary to go to Heaven, notice that Jesus said He would see that man in “paradise,” and...

Daily Nugget: One that walked with Jesus, talked with Him, and heard the best preaching ever, turned on Him and was even used to have Him killed. Some of the details of this man are found in Luke 22.  Here is what the Bible reveals about Judas Iscariot. He was one of the 12 apostles. "Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; … and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him." Matthew 10:2-4 There were signs of worldliness in Judas’ life. Sin took hold of him. He was a thief. "Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, … Then saith one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, which should betray him, Why was not this ointment sold for three hundred pence, and given to the poor? This he said, not that he cared for the poor; but because he was a thief, and had the bag, and bare what was put therein." John 12: 3-6 Satan used Judas. One sin led to others. Judas was not saved, and the devil got access to his he...

Daily Nugget: There is nothing we do that Heaven does not know about. In Luke 21:1-4, this is illustrated by Jesus’ observation of people giving at the Temple. Jesus was standing by the Temple treasury and was watching those putting in their money to help meet the needs of the synagogue. From what was said in these verses, we can learn much about what He knew about the givers then and probably knows about those that give today. We see that Jesus knew: Who gave. He saw the rich and the poor give and knew who did not give. How much they physically gave. Jesus knew exactly how much a poor widow gave. He knew she gave two of the smallest Greek copper coins, mites, to help provide for the Temple’s upkeep. He also knew that rich people gave far more. How much their gift meant to the giver. Jesus knew the rich gave out of their extra. It was not much of a sacrifice to them. He also knew how much a poor widow gave. Although her offering was nothing compared to what the wealthy gave, the Saviou...

Daily Nugget: “Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's.  25 And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's.” Luke 20:24-25  Among Christians, there is often the question, “Should we support the government by paying taxes?” Here in Luke is the answer from Christ. His example showed us, “Yes, we should pay taxes.” Knowing that the religious “powers” of His time were trying to trap Him, Jesus answered them wisely. Christ knew they wanted Him to answer 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 make the stand that they will not pay their taxes, support their government, or even have any part in defending their country. Their defense is often, “The government today is doing wrong thin...

Daily Nugget: “And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought; Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.” Luke 19:46-47 The world, and unfortunately many Christians, have the wrong idea as to how a Christian should behave. Somehow many are convinced that a Christian should be tolerant of those doing wrong, should be polite, and never voice his opinion. Nowhere in the Bible is tolerance to evil suggested. Here, in Luke 10:46-47, 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 had done to the house of God. Some wanted to make money (see also Matthew 21:12-13), so they came up with enterprising ideas to make a “buck” using the religion. They knew the Jews attending the temple were supposed to present animal ...

Daily Nugget: A rich man came to Jesus unintentionally admitting that he had committed the same mistake that most of the religious and unreligious would not dare confess. It is the same philosophy that is responsible for sending most to Hell. This terrible iniquity is where over 90% of churches and religions in the world are wrong. His confession was, “… what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke:18:18) This ruler (Luke 18:18) was trying to work his way to Heaven by doing all he could to earn him a place there. Certainly, he, and others in many unbiblical religions, think it natural 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 abiding by traditions, rules, catechisms, rites, sacraments, pillars of the faith, or their religion’s teachings, will get one to Heaven. Real Christianity is t...

Daily Nugget: After passing through Samaria and Galilee, Jesus healed ten lepers (Luke 17:11-17). In the account, only one turned back, thanked Jesus, and gave God credit. After being healed of a debilitating disease that severely disfigured their bodies and made them social outcasts, one would expect that all would be grateful. Perhaps they were, but only one expressed his gratitude.  We dare not ridicule them because we certainly have been ungrateful for what God has done many times for us. We pray. We beg God to deliver us from the clutches of a disease or deliver us from a hopeless situation, and He does. How many times did we forget to thank the Lord for His miracles and answers to our prayer? Sometimes, maybe because we did not ask God specifically how to answer our prayer request, we do not see that He answers it. Unless the answered prayer is gift-wrapped and dropped out of Heaven with a note “From God, with Love,” we just write the prayer fulfillment off as a “coincidence....

Daily Nugget: In Luke 16, we read of Jesus’s telling of two men’s accounts of their life after death. One man was a beggar in his past life, and the other was wealthy. It is not a parable; it is a real account. While in this world, the rich man had many of the niceties this life can offer. However, one crucial thing was missing in his life. He did not have faith in God, and because of it, when he opened his eyes in the next life, he found himself in Hell.  Jesus’ account of the rich man’s life in Hell shows us more of the terrible abode of the unrighteous. We learn that: Hell is down. The occupant of Hell looked up to see a righteous man who had also died. “And in hell he lift up his eyes ...” Luke 16:23 Hell is a place of torment (Luke 16.23). Also, in verses 25 and 28. Those in Hell think. They remember and recognize some from their past. “… and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” Luke 16:23 Those in Hell suffer from thirst. There is no water there (Luke 16:24). “…...