Matthew 18: Like A Child Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? For almost 3 years now, beginning with John the Baptist, the message had been- repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. The disciples envisioned an earthly kingdom, with Jesus crowned King like David and they would be the … Read more
Matthew 18B: Life in the Kingdom In todays lesson we will look at how seriously sin is regarded by the Lord among believers. He speaks figuratively of cutting yourself off from that sin which so easily entangles one. The Lord then prescribes, step by step, the proper way to handle church discipline of a … Read more
Matthew 19: In todays lesson, I want to concentrate on a young mans encounter with Jesus that took place over 2,000 years ago. All through the gospels we read of conversations that took place between Jesus and real people from all walks of life. In todays lesson we listen in to a conversation that takes … Read more
Matthew 2: Yada, Yada, Yada If you ever watched any of the Seinfield television series, a show about nothing, you heard this expression .yada,yada,yada.. This is actually a real Hebrew word that means to know or be known. We began this study of the Gospels at Peters instructions- as he wrote in 2 Peter 3:18, the … Read more
Matthew 13 C: The Seed, The Tree, & The Birds It is important we review what has been revealed to us by the Lord in these first two parables in order to uncover the meaning of the remaining parables. So far we have been told: *The Seed is the Word of God, the Message of … Read more
Matthew 13D: The Treasure and the Pearl Again we have two short parables which are told together. The parables are commonly known as the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price. The first parable compares the kingdom of heaven to a treasure hidden in a field. When a man found the treasure, he hid … Read more
Matthew 14: That Sinking Feeling Have you ever experienced that sinking feeling that was brought on by a sudden storm in your life? A phone call in the night, a sudden interruption of everything going just fine and in an instance turns upside down. Fear takes hold of your imagination and the worst case scenarios … Read more
Matthew 15: For Crying Out Loud! The Pharisees and teachers of the law (scribes) came to Jesus and asked him why his disciples did not wash their hands before they eat, as this was a tradition of the elders. The Pharisees were the dominant party of the Sanhedrin. The Pharisees were strict legalists who believed … Read more
Matthew 1: How Can I Be Sure? The Gospel of Matthew is considered the most complete account of Jesus teachings and was written to convince the writers Jewish audience that Jesus was the Messiah descended from David, a son of Abraham and the One of whom the O.T. prophets wrote. The most significant teaching passages are … Read more
Matthew 16: Who Do You Say I Am? The questions we must all answer is the one Jesus asks his disciples in todays lesson: Who do you say I am? Jesus is about to confirm who he is to his disciples as well as tell them what he is going to do. He is now … Read more
Matthew 16 B: Life is Difficult If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. ( Matthew 16; 24) Life is difficult. This is the opening statement of M. Scott Pecks classic: The Road Less Traveled. And as Christians we begin to understand … Read more
Matthew 11: Need Rest? Come to Jesus! This chapter contains three of my favorite verses at the end with one of the Lords most gracious calls and invitations to all of us who are weary and heavy laden. It is an invitation to a rest – and as we look at this rest, we discover … Read more
Matthew 17: Help My Unbelief We will study two events in this chapter: the Transfiguration and the healing of the boy with a demon. Both of these events have parallel passages in Mark and Luke which we will also study. The Transfiguration occurs six days after the events in Caesarea Philippi recorded in Matthew 16. … Read more
Matthew 12: The Bruised Reed Do you feel like a bruised reed this morning? Does your life seem like a flickering, smoldering candle more smoke than flame or light? Do you have a loved one who is a bruised reed and/or a smoldering wick this morning? Then we need what the old disciple John … Read more
Matthew 12B: Understanding Jesus has made two statements concerning who he is already in his encounters with the Pharisees in verse 6 and 8 where he states- I tell you one greater than the temple is here; and also for the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath. Now with this miracle … Read more
Matthew 13: The Parable of the Sower This teaching was on the same day as the sermon he preached in Matthew 12. That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea (KJV). The house can be interpreted as the house of Israel and sea represents the gentile nations. These words … Read more
Matthew 13B: The Wheat and the Tares In the first parable the Parable of the Sower, we learned not all people react to the Word of God, the Message of the Kingdom the same way. In fact, 3 out of 4 did not allow the seed to germinate and come to fruition. The Incorruptible Seed … Read more
Matthew 10: Follow the Instructions Sometimes when we are studying the Gospels, we tend to forget how brief the Lords ministry was. It covered a little over 3 years. In chapter 10, in verses 1 & 2, Matthew states: He( Jesus) called his twelve disciples and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits … Read more