King & Countries series (Matthew 9-14)

This week we’re preparing to launch a new sermon series called King & Countries (Matthew 9-14). We’re pairing this up with our new Friends & Family groups that will discuss the passages these sermons will come from each week for the next 6 weeks.

Equipping and encouraging people to step out in faith and host a group of people that they themselves invite is a challenge! I’m praying that many will step up and do just that. We’re giving them everything they need to succeed here. 

Jesus has all authority in the world, so that all nations will pledge all allegiance to him, as is appropriate. This is the theme of the book of Matthew. 

Special thanks to commentaries by Kent Hughes, Sean O’Donnell, RC Sproul, and David Platt. 

Special thanks to Allen White who’s great book helped me structure a workable plan when I couldn’t come up with one on my own. He’s a great coach too. 

Jesus Teaches How to Stop Worry

 This video message is trending higher than most of my recent ones. Clearly, people are wanting answers on how to deal with worry. I know this can help.

8/28/2022 Jesus Teaches How to Stop Worry

https://youtu.be/paTRdk_MjOk #worry #anxiety #stress #peace 

Does Bible Literacy Matter?

 New book out entitled: Truth over Tribe: Pledging allegiance to the lamb instead of the donkey or elephant. 

Not bad title. Wondering if the book lives up to that. Looks promising.

Our nation is dividing into tribes. Sometimes we self-identify. Other times somone puts us in a tribe. Regardless, this makes it easier to divide and conquer. And there are forces at work trying to divide our nation…and the Church. 

As it relates to the Church, unity around the basics of the faith is essential. This requires Bible literacy.

Yes, doctrine matters.

Theology too.

But without the foundation of Bible literacy, we’re not going to have sound doctrine, theology or teaching. It starts and stays with Bible literacy. 

We must listen-to, read, study, memorize and mediate on God’s word daily. This gives us a good five-fingered grip on His word. That’s the foundation. This is essential to staying unified around what really matters.

As Christ-followers:

Q. Do we believe that the Bible is truly God’s word to humanity? 

Q. Do we really believe that the Bible is the inspired words of our Creator?

If you do, then ask yourself: 

Q. Do my actions, words, and thoughts reflect that belief? 

Q. Does my lived life look consistent with the words, ways and works of Jesus?”

Because they should.

Dear Dad, please help your kids get their act together starting with what you’ve already said to us. 

God vs Lucifer

 Michael, the arch angel, means “Who is like God?”

Lucifer, the fallen angel, means “I will be like the Most High.”

Lucifer tried to overthrow God and heaven so he could become the one everyone worshipped. Michael serves God as his highest ranking angel.

The battle between good and evil is the battle between God and Satan. Satan leads his rebellion against his own creator while God, uniquely divine, works all things for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose.

Whenever I yearn to be like God, I need to ask myself: 

Do I want to be like God in character? 

Or

Do I want to be like God in that I want all of creation to worship me?

Lucifer wanted the latter. We should want the former.

What about you? Which do you want?

“This is the Way”

 “This is the way” is a phrase used by Star Wars’ Mandalorian character from the series of the same name. It’s also a saying that the sect of the Mandalorian’s character is a part of say to each other to remind them of why they do what they do the way they do it.

This is not an original saying. 

The early Christians were called followers of “The Way”. 

Acts 9:2 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%209%3A2&version=NIV

What is this way?

It is the way of Jesus. 

What does this look like? 

Start by reading:

Luke 4:18-19

Mark 1:14-15

Matthew 5-7 Sermon on the Mount

This is the way. It’s the way I choose to live. It’s the way I’m leading others to live. 

How about you?

Surrender to Others Like Jesus

 Surrender to others like Jesus would.

How would Jesus surrender to others? He tells us in Matthew 5:39-42...

“But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.” (39)

This speaks to fighting back when assaulted. It seems to me you could retreat. Or you could just allow the assault but you are not to fight back. You will have to fight the temptation to pay back violence with violence, but Jesus says here no. When it comes to defending yourself, Jesus rests in his Father’s protection. If the Father wishes to protect him, he will. And the Father did protect him all the way until he didn’t just before and on the cross. And Jesus never resisted the evil people in his path.

“And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.” (40)

When we are sued, we want to defend ourselves there as well. We go to court and fight it out there. Instead, Jesus wants us to not only give them what they want, but even more. It seems to me he wants to pour out grace and mercy on to this person selfishly suing. It seems that the Lord sometimes wants to bless the one suing at our expense. Since God knows all things including what he’s doing in someone’s life who would sue God’s children, we would be right and wise to gladly submit to the Lord in this as well.

“If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.” (41)

In those days, it was not unusual for a Roman soldier to ask you to carry some of his gear (say, his heavy armor) for him for a mile. It was a legal request, by Roman law. Now it’s hard to do that when you’re walking carrying your own stuff. But when it’s your enemy asking you, this seems like too much. But Jesus says not only is it not too much—he wants you to do even more for them. Again, surrendering to God and showering others, undeserving though they are—with grace and mercy. This is the way.

“Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” (42)

Whether someone is asking for money or to borrow money, Jesus wants us to live so open-handed that we freely give as we’ve freely received. This is gracious and merciful. This is also good for us. It teaches us to live open-handedly with all that the Lord has freely given us. It chases away a heart of greed and replaces it with a heart of gratitude.

May God change our hearts so that we think, believe and live more like Jesus. May God find us surrendering to others like Jesus would.

What is God saying to you right now?

What are you going to do about it?

Remember Who You Are. Act Accordingly.

Remember who you are and act accordingly. 

In Matthew 4:3, Satan meets Jesus in the wilderness to tempt him to sin; to derail him from God’s plan.

Driven there by the Holy Spirit, Jesus resists the temptation to eat bread, to doubt his identity, to be derailed by Satan’s agenda and a host of other things. As a result, he comes out stronger than ever. 

Jesus knew who he was. He rested in that even in the midst of suffering. He let his suffering and deprivation strengthen him, instead of giving in and letting his flesh weaken him. He knew who he was. He acted accordingly. 

By God’s grace, let’s do the same.