THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 22:23-33 “You are in error because you do not know the scriptures or the power of God.” (Matthew 22:29) A big part of my job is reading, interpreting and applying the bible. Depending on how you read the bible, you can totally miss the point, and cause great harm. Jesus rebukes these…
Good citizens of the kingdom!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 22:15-22 “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” (Matthew 22:21) The religious leaders are setting Jesus up, baiting Him to defy Rome to be arrested. Jesus’ response avoids their trap, but what is Jesus actually saying? The religious leaders implicate themselves with their opening words to…
A seat with your name on it!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 22:1-14 “The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come.” (Matthew 22:8) What makes a person “deserve to come” to God’s salvation celebration? None of the people in the parable “deserved to come”, but they were invited anyway. It was their response to God’s gracious invite that…
His Voice over all!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Psalm 29 “The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders!” (Psalm 29:3) What might God’s Voice sound like, if we could actually hear it? When God spoke to Jesus, the crowds were uncertain; some thought that it was thunder (John 12:29). David doesn’t know what God’s Voice sounds…
Face time with God!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Deuteronomy 31-34 “Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.” (Deuteronomy 34:10) Moses was very close to God, though even he was sinful, just like Israel. No human can claim to be without sin before God… but God still wants to be “face to…
Choose life!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Deuteronomy 27-30 “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life…” (Deuteronomy 30:19) God is not threatening His people with terrible suffering if they disobey Him. He is warning them of what life is like without God, how life naturally degenerates. Remember, this is the Mosaic Law, the…
Finding goodness outside the church!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 21:42-46 “The kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.” (Matthew 21:43) The fruit of the Spirit includes things like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, etc. The source of this fruit in us is the Spirit of Jesus, He helps us…
What kind of tenant am I?
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 21:33-41 “What will he do to those tenants?” (Matthew 21:40) Are you a good tenant or a bad tenant? I’m not talking about the house you live in, but the life you’re living. Everything in our life is assigned to us from God. Your life is God’s gift to you; what you…
What kingdom people are like!
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 21:28-32 “The tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you.” (Matthew 21:31) It is not the people who say yes to God that please God, but those who actually do what He asks. John’s message was to repent, and to start being gracious and merciful, like…
‘You can’t handle the truth!’
THE STORY OF JESUS: Matthew 21:23-27 “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.” (Matthew 21:27) My guess is that all of us have questions for God, but are we prepared to hear the truth? The religious leaders wanted answers to their questions, but they did not want to be questioned. Jesus…