October 22, 2012 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 4:1-11 OBSERVATIONS 1. Matthew has been presenting Jesus as following the pattern of Israel (going to Egypt). Here again Jesus follows Israel, led into the wilderness, tested in the wilderness, but unlike Israel, refusing to give in to Satan’s schemes. Notice that each quote by Jesus is from Deuteronomy, Moses account…
bigger than the bogey man
October 14, 2012 SCRIPTURE: Psalm 3 OBSERVATIONS 1. I do not have any foes. I cannot imagine what it would be like to be under attack like this. But I do know people who could relate, who feel threatened and assaulted like this. For me my enemies are spiritual, I am constantly under spiritual attack, and…
Genesis 6:9-11:26
October 12-13, 2012 SCRIPTURE: Genesis 6:9-11:26 OBSERVATIONS What do you notice in this passage? APPLICATION What do you sense the Lord saying to you? PRAYER
the foundational message
The following video clearly expresses God’s foundational love for all people. It makes me think of how I love my own children, even if they make foolish or hurtful choices (just as I do). But it also raises the question of God’s wrath, and the seriousness of sin, and the repeated call to repent. So…
I am a much-loved child of God!!!
October 11, 2012 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 3:13-17 OBSERVATIONS 1. Baptism was not a honoured sacrament, it was a humbling step, something that sinful people did to turn their lives around. To go to this wild man in the wilderness was a sign of desperation and messiness, an appeal for the mercy and help of God. This explains…
purge and prune me… really?
October 10, 2012 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 3:7-12 OBSERVATIONS 1. The religious people (Pharisees were the conservatives, Sadducees the liberals) go to John like they go to church, for the performance or for the appearance. They are not there out of deep conviction or desire to change, but to once again show how good (religious) they are. John…
how people repent today
The following prayer offers a satirical look at our shallow view of sin. This superficial prayer is based on a modern “overhaul” of a traditional public confession of sin found in the Book of Common Prayer. Benevolent and easy-going Parent: We have occasionally had some minor errors of judgment, but they’re not really our fault….
crazy man
October 9, 2012 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 3:1-6 OBSERVATIONS 1. This guy was a crazy man. I’ve seen guys like him in downtown Toronto, preaching repent or perish or turn or burn. And yet John must have been different; people were drawn to him in crowds, but people avoid these guys downtown. If someone came like John today,…
despised
October 8, 2012 SCRIPTURE: Matthew 2:19-23 OBSERVATIONS 1. It is striking to think that the eternal Son of God, the LOGOS (Word, John 1:1) through Whom God created all things is now weak, vulnerable, dependent and at risk of being murdered. You would think that when God enters the world He created, there would be a warmer…
kiss or spit?
October 7, 2012 SCRIPTURE: Psalm 2 OBSERVATIONS 1. This psalm has a double focus. It speaks to David’s kingship in Israel, but also to the future Messiah’s reign. David is a pattern of the future messiah, who will be attacked, rejected, yet ultimately victorious. ”When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I…