–David Fitz-Gerald (First Drive)
According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.”
–1 Corinthians 3:10 (NKJV)
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I send my grandkids a morning admonition which often includes the idea of “taking heed.” A small bit of instruction reminding them of their obligations to the Lord and themselves for the day. To “take heed” is used fifteen times in the Gospels (NKJV). According to the Oxford Dictionary it means to: “pay careful attention to;” “take notice of.” In other words look, listen, and be attentive. This morning let’s look at a few things that Jesus tells us to “take heed” of.
Matthew 6:1, “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.” Do not be a braggart in your giving.
Matthew 16:6, “Then Jesus said to them, ‘Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.’” Do not be proud and hypocritical; keep your priorities straight.
Matthew 18:10, “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.” Be careful how you deal with children, the innocent. Hmm, strong words for abortionists.
Matthew 24:4, “And Jesus answered and said to them: ‘Take heed that no one deceives you.'” Watch out for false teachers, especially those dealing with spiritual issues. Stay true to the doctrine of the Bible.
Mark 4:24, “Then He said to them, ‘Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.'” Stay away from false teaching, vain thoughts, cursing, gossip, and coarse jesting.
Mark 13:23, “But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.” Listen, listen, listen — Jesus had told us. Listen to His words!
Mark 13:33, “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.” Jesus is coming soon; we don’t know the day or hour but we are to watch carefully for His coming and to watch over our lives to be found ready. Watch and pray!
Luke 11:35, “Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness.” Be sure you are saved, then walk in the light of Christ, let the light of the Holy Spirit be in you and be your guide.
Luke 12:15, “And He said to them, ‘Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.'” Inventory your life and be content with what you have. Do not covet.
Luke 17:3, “Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.” Another verse that implies we should take inventory of our lives and see that we live in accordance with His Word. Then notice the addition.
Luke 21:34, “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.” Do not be involved with the things of the world. Don’t let things get between you and God, and don’t be pressured by the cares of this life. Notice that He brings us reckless living and getting drunk. If we let these things get to us, then there is a chance that the Day of the Lord will come upon us and we won’t be ready.
Do you get the picture? There are four other verses that pertain to those already written above. Mark 8:15 repeats Matthew 16:6; Mark 13:5 and Luke 21:18 repeat Matthew 24:4 so take special note of that. Luke 8:18 refers to Mark 4:24. There are more in the epistles, but I wanted to look especially at what Jesus tells us to “take heed” of; what He warns us about.
My friends, in the day and age, we must look closely at our salvation. We must take heed and be ready for His coming. Don’t let anyone persuade you to another way, or allow yourself to become complacent or compromise. TAKE HEED!
According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.”
–1 Corinthians 3:10 (NKJV)
—————————
I send my grandkids a morning admonition which often includes the idea of “taking heed.” A small bit of instruction reminding them of their obligations to the Lord and themselves for the day. To “take heed” is used fifteen times in the Gospels (NKJV). According to the Oxford Dictionary it means to: “pay careful attention to;” “take notice of.” In other words look, listen, and be attentive. This morning let’s look at a few things that Jesus tells us to “take heed” of.
Matthew 6:1, “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven.” Do not be a braggart in your giving.
Matthew 16:6, “Then Jesus said to them, ‘Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.’” Do not be proud and hypocritical; keep your priorities straight.
Matthew 18:10, “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.” Be careful how you deal with children, the innocent. Hmm, strong words for abortionists.
Matthew 24:4, “And Jesus answered and said to them: ‘Take heed that no one deceives you.'” Watch out for false teachers, especially those dealing with spiritual issues. Stay true to the doctrine of the Bible.
Mark 4:24, “Then He said to them, ‘Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.'” Stay away from false teaching, vain thoughts, cursing, gossip, and coarse jesting.
Mark 13:23, “But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.” Listen, listen, listen — Jesus had told us. Listen to His words!
Mark 13:33, “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.” Jesus is coming soon; we don’t know the day or hour but we are to watch carefully for His coming and to watch over our lives to be found ready. Watch and pray!
Luke 11:35, “Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness.” Be sure you are saved, then walk in the light of Christ, let the light of the Holy Spirit be in you and be your guide.
Luke 12:15, “And He said to them, ‘Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.'” Inventory your life and be content with what you have. Do not covet.
Luke 17:3, “Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.” Another verse that implies we should take inventory of our lives and see that we live in accordance with His Word. Then notice the addition.
Luke 21:34, “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.” Do not be involved with the things of the world. Don’t let things get between you and God, and don’t be pressured by the cares of this life. Notice that He brings us reckless living and getting drunk. If we let these things get to us, then there is a chance that the Day of the Lord will come upon us and we won’t be ready.
Do you get the picture? There are four other verses that pertain to those already written above. Mark 8:15 repeats Matthew 16:6; Mark 13:5 and Luke 21:18 repeat Matthew 24:4 so take special note of that. Luke 8:18 refers to Mark 4:24. There are more in the epistles, but I wanted to look especially at what Jesus tells us to “take heed” of; what He warns us about.
My friends, in the day and age, we must look closely at our salvation. We must take heed and be ready for His coming. Don’t let anyone persuade you to another way, or allow yourself to become complacent or compromise. TAKE HEED!