Foreboding. What a tremendous word that is. As we approach the final chapters of Matthew, everything that has been hinted at from the beginning is gathering great momentum, the themes like threads begin to come together and the larger picture emerges of all that Jesus has been saying from his birth to this point. Chapters […]
Read More Insights From Matthew – Question TimeCan you imagine being the public relations guy for Jesus? Apparently some politicians have ‘spin doctors’ at hand to help with their ongoing presentation to maximise popularity. Matthew chapters 19 and 20 (and there’s a reason for the two, which I’ll come to later) reads like a spin doctor’s nightmare. Throughout gospel presentations disciples like […]
Read More Insights From Matthew – Challenging Demands of Kingdom LivingJesus is not just a man. He is not just a good person. He is not just a healer or a good teacher. Indeed it is almost as if you’ve missed the heart of His message and the meaning behind the miracles if that is the conclusion you reach. Chapter 17 of the gospel according […]
Read More Insights From Matthew – Listen To The SonWhen They Miss The Point From Outside Throughout Matthew chapter 16 there is an undercurrent of missing the point. First its evident that Pharisees are missing the point in trying to trip up the Messiah. Considering their request for a sign is similar to the devil trying to get Jesus to prove He’s the Son […]
Read More Insights From Matthew – Missing The Point in Missing The MessiahThe fourteenth chapter of the gospel according to Matthew is dominated by the two main figures of the first half of Matthew John the Baptist and Jesus Christ. One thing that can definitely be said about both men is that they were willing to live by the courage of their convictions. John Pays The Ultimate […]
Read More Insights From Matthew: The Cost & Courage of Living By Kingdom ConvictionsI’ve written before about the power of stories, but Jesus throughout Matthew 13 takes the art to profound ends and also shows something crucial about understanding the Kingdom. First up the stories. I love how verse 3 of this chapter says you teach by telling stories. Right here should be a dream come true for […]
Read More Insights From Matthew – Jesus Tells You StoriesJust when you thought it was safe to think Jesus had got His anger out of the way, up comes a huge clash with the religious rulers throughout the majority of chapter 11 in the gospel account according to Matthew. If the previous disagreements were mere skirmishes, neither party holds back in full scale opposition […]
Read More Insights From Matthew – Who Are My Family?Angry Jesus Here’s a good test of your gospel knowledge – when does Jesus get angry? One of the obvious times of Jesus getting angry is when the money changers have turned His Father’s House of Prayer into a market place and the zeal of God consumes him to whip them out of the temple. […]
Read More Insights From Matthew – When Jesus Gets AngryThe issue about prayers is not just about asking for things as one particular point will highlight and it’s a good time to remind you that Prayer-Points Plus is still on the way with answers to prayers. For the time being, though here are thus weeks points for prayer. Abigail’s Trying Season I am always […]
Read More Prayer Points (WE-110212)I had been given hints of one sort or another over my upbringing. There were the rare occasions when my dad and/or Mum would be out giving leaflets explaining the church and the gospel. I have no recollection of going out with them during that, preferring the warmth and comfort of my home than being […]
Read More Insights From Matthew – Jesus Commands Us To Go
