If we do not accept the kingdom of God on the same basis as children, weak, helpless, unimportant, we will never enter it. Childlike faith lays aside all thoughts of status and privilege, it redefines our definitions of significance. We are not accepted by Jesus because we are special, we are special because we are accepted by Jesus.
Marriages depend on softness of heart, on humility, on selflessness, service, on love. Marriages depend on humble dependence on God and recognition of the need for God’s intervention in the relationship. Simple, but not always easy.
Sin is a serious issue... everyone will be salted with fire, we just choose what kind of fire. We are constantly faced with the choice or humility or pride, godly self-renunciation or fire of judgment, the purifying fire of the Holy Spirit, or the fire of condemnation and destruction, the fire of God’s altar or the fire of Gehenna.
Join us as we explore the good news of the mystery, the purpose of the mystery, and our response to the mystery of the Gospel.
Unity is not the same as unanimity, nor uniformity. We are not all the same, nor do we all always agree, but we can certainly unite under Jesus as Lord.
Sacrifice, service, and selflessness, these are the pillars of the Kingdom, humbly serving and welcoming as guests the least is how one truly becomes great in God’s Kingdom.
Real and actual fellowship with God our Father through faith in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, is the secret to power.
As the church, Jesus calls us to unity.
Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ, but doesn't understand that He is not only Messiah and King, He is also Priest.
Jesus is Prophet, Priest and King - do we recognize Him as such? The Holy Spirit is the lens that corrects our view.
Jesus has some specific questions for the disciples: What do you think? Is your heart hardened? Do you see beyond the surface? Do you remember what god has done?
Be mindful of asking for more before being thankful for what you already have. Look to what God has done. Look with compassion to the needs of those around you. Remember that Jesus has and will supply all our needs - we can trust Him.
Jesus Heals a Deaf-Mute.
Jesus is rejected at Nazareth. What does (or should) limit our view of Jesus?
Jesus is more powerful than what we fear. He can be trusted with everything we face. Homework assignment: Think about your own fears. What are you honestly afraid of? Ask the Lord to show you, and then write them out and consider how Jesus' superior power can put your fears to rest.
Is what you stand to lose by truly following Jesus greater in your mind than what you stand to gain? Today we look at the healing of a demon-possessed man in the Gadarenes. Homework: Write out your testimony - how Jesus, in His power, delivered or rescued you - and commit to share it with someone.
The disciples experience a powerful storm and begin to fear - first the storm, and then the One who calmed the seas. Fear demonstrates a lack of trust in Christ. If we are to trust Him, we must know what He says. Homework: Write down your prayers. Do they express trust in Jesus?
As Christians, we are citizens of a better country, and serve a greater King. Through faith in Jesus, we are part of something magnificent. Don't take that for granted.
The course of large things can be changed by a small thing. The tongue can be used for evil, or for pouring forth glory to God and encouragement to others.
"It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out." (Proverbs 25:2) Approaching the parables requires willingness, diligence and zeal. This is the difference between a disciple and a fan of Jesus.
There are two kinds of people - those who believe Jesus, and those who don't. The Parable of the Soils shows the things that get in the way of believing wholeheartedly in Jesus, and is seen as the key to all of the other parables.
Jesus encounters 3 different groups of people with three different responses to His message.
A great multitude follows Jesus and He calls twelve disciples.
Jesus encounters a man with a withered hand.
Jesus encounters a man with a withered hand.
Peace between man & God has been purchased by Jesus. He is our Sabbath rest. It is a privilege and a benefit. There is no work for us to do to earn God's favor!
Jesus is not something you add onto your old way of doing things... the life He gives is entirely new. Jesus + nothing = everything.
Grace is on display as we see Jesus call Matthew the tax collector. When people think they have no need of help from God, they are in no position to be helped. Today we learn that salvation is rejecting our pride and accepting God's gift of grace.
There are three miracles in this passage - the healing of a paralytic, the mind reading of the Scribes, and the forgiveness of sins. Our greatest need is to be made right with God.
The friends of a paralytic man show us the importance of moving beyond simply existing in community. We are called to be family, and that means radical commitment to one another. Through persistent faith, we can bring our friends to Jesus.
