This week wraps up the series in Matthew, reflecting on Jesus’ journey to the cross and his call for us in this world. As followers of Jesus, we must take up our cross and go out into the world with the gospel.
Podcast Series: The Gospel According to Matthew
A journey through the gospel of Matthew
A prepared heart
The parable of the sower, shared in Matthew 13, tells of different hearts. The hardened heart, the emotional heart, the distracted heart, and the soft, prepared heart. And it’s the prepared heart that allows for the deep roots to become established. Listen to this and reflect on where your heart is today and where you […]
Deadly Silence
Jesus faced a challenge as he stood in a synagogue on the sabbath and saw a man with a withered hand. One does not work on the sabbath, but Jesus asks is it better to do harm or good on the sabbath. The Pharisees stood silent while Jesus did not hesitate and healed the man. If […]
Rest for the Weary
Jesus’ words for the tired and weary still hold for you today. “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your […]
The Dirty Dozen
The Dirty Dozen… no, not the classic movie, the original Dirty Dozen. As Jesus looked out over the crowds, his heart broke because there were so many people but so few workers ([truth version=”msg”]Matt 9:36-38[/truth]). So he put together a rag-tag group and gave them a mission: have a heart for the lost and go […]
Miracles, Ministry and Misdirection
Ever find yourself saying “No good deed goes unpunished”? No matter how good your intentions seemed at the time, whatever you thought was going to be good blows up in your face. Ministry is often messy, and almost never simple. We are not perfect, and will make mistakes and face obstacles. Ministry is going to […]
Cheap Grace
Let’s explore two types of grace. First is cheap grace – grace that we consume without any effort, without any cost to us. But at the end of the sermon on the mount, Jesus calls us to another type of grace – to a costly grace. After laying out how we are to live, how we […]
the Jesus Prayer
We need prayer in our journey to follow Jesus. And Jesus already knew that we would struggle with prayer, so he taught us how to pray. During the sermon on the mount, Jesus clearly lays out how we should pray starting with these words: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name.” (Matthew 6:1-15). In providing us […]
Antithesis of Discipleship
As Jesus speaks to his followers on the mount, he contrasts interpretations of old testament writing with His word (Matthew 5:17-48). He speaks with authority over these things, and cuts straight to the heart. Jesus makes clear that it is not just ones actions but the heart and mind behind those actions. It is the heart that prompts all kinds […]
Salt and Light
During the sermon on the mount, Jesus follows up the beatitudes with these declarations about his followers: You ARE the salt of the earth; You ARE the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-16). To be the salt and the light we must actively engage with the world around us, not isolate ourselves in a bubble. And we are to engage as […]