April 16, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 22:15-22 OBSERVATIONS Notice how crafty the Pharisees are, listen to their honey-lipped fangs, “we know you are a man of honor. You teach the way of God truthfully. You don’t let others tell you what to do or say. You don’t care how important they are.” Men without honor calling Jesus…
Author: Norm
The kingdom of God is a Party
April 15, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 22:1-14 The exciting reality of God’s kingdom on earth is available to all. The problem is that some people do not care, others do not want it. Still others accept it but only halfheartedly (not changing for it). There’s a second message. The first invitees are the Jews, the ‘anyone you…
Everyone cries out, “Glory!”
April 14, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Psalm 29 OBSERVATIONS Why should the angels, and everyone (and everything) on earth praise God? Because He is so awesomely great and powerful. We know a person by what they say and do. Since we cannot see God, we can only ‘hear’ God, ie God speaks through words and actions. We do…
Deuteronomy 27-34
April 12-13, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Deuteronomy 27-34 OBSERVATIONS What do you notice in this passage? APPLICATIONac What do you sense the Lord saying to you? PRAYER
Live Simply
Something to make you think. Not that I see myself as living simply. No, it’s something that I am being drawn towards, and resisting at the same time. Some to make me think.
Don’t do nothing!
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” (Edmund Burke)
The most important stone of all!
April 11, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 21:42-46 OBSERVATIONS Jesus is trying to get the religious leaders to see, to understand, to repent. He quotes their bible (the Jewish scriptures, what Christians call the old testament), Psalm 118. This Psalm was written for one of the temple celebrations. David as king leads the procession (with branches waving, Psalm 118:27), praising…
Of course, it’s obvious…
April 10, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 21:33-41 OBSERVATIONS Jesus tells a simple story, so simple that even his disciples know the answer. ”Of course, it’s obvious,, the owner will assign the land to other people, people who will give the owner what he deserves.” A contemporary parallel, if a Tim Horton’s franchisee refuses to make their payments…
Just do it!
April 9, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 21:28-32 OBSERVATIONS Ouch, Jesus does it again. He exposes people’s hearts, and if they were willing to hear, they would repent. Reminds me of when the prophet Nathan tells a parable to David to expose to him of his adultery and murder. In that case, David repents (2 Samuel 12). This story shows…
Jesus turns the conversation on me
April 8, 2013 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 21:23-27 OBSERVATIONS As noted before, how Jesus answers people depends on who he is talking to. Here he is speaking with representatives for God that are more concerned about their worldly interests than in spiritual interests. Jesus exposes this by His response. It is frustrating when people answer a question with…