Thursday, November 1, 2012
Friday, December 2, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Matthew 27; Matthew 28
Matthew 27:44 says that the two thieves insulted Jesus.
This detail is similar in the gospel of Mark. In the gospel of John, the two thieves are just mentioned as being there. However, in Luke's gospel we get the memorable story of the penitent thief.
Why do you think this detail was left out of the other three gospels?
The very last part of Matthew (Matthew 28:16-20), the great commision was something that was discussed in last weeks sermon and I enjoyed the indepth study of the four commissions given to us after Jesus is raised from the dead. He proclaims His power over all things in heaven and earth and tells us that we are to go, make disciples , baptize, and teach Jesus' commandments. It's a great reminder that we are called to do more than just survive our busy routines, maintain the staus quo with a little "Jesus time" on Sundays, and basically "hang out" in this world.
We all know that He (Jesus) had do have someone "sell him out" and I can't even imagine what that felt like to Jesus knowing that he would be betrayed by the people who knew Him best. Who walked with Him and followed Him. It makes the silly things that people do that offend us, pale in comparison. A perfect man that walked the earth for thirty some years, that never did anything wrong, yet was falsely accused, betrayed, beaten, and died a shameful death on a cross. He knew all of this was going to go down, that Peter would betray Him, but did not waver, He paid the price for such a messed up people, what an amazing picture of love!
I don't know about you, but I had a hard time reading all of this.
Doesn't this raise the question of how we can be so unwilling to forgive others when He did all of this for us? The grudges that everyone holds over petty stuff that does not even matter.
My favorite verse is the last one...one of such amazing comfort...Matthew 28:20
"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age"
the combined efforts of Matthew and Holly Heirendt :-)
This detail is similar in the gospel of Mark. In the gospel of John, the two thieves are just mentioned as being there. However, in Luke's gospel we get the memorable story of the penitent thief.
Why do you think this detail was left out of the other three gospels?
The very last part of Matthew (Matthew 28:16-20), the great commision was something that was discussed in last weeks sermon and I enjoyed the indepth study of the four commissions given to us after Jesus is raised from the dead. He proclaims His power over all things in heaven and earth and tells us that we are to go, make disciples , baptize, and teach Jesus' commandments. It's a great reminder that we are called to do more than just survive our busy routines, maintain the staus quo with a little "Jesus time" on Sundays, and basically "hang out" in this world.
We all know that He (Jesus) had do have someone "sell him out" and I can't even imagine what that felt like to Jesus knowing that he would be betrayed by the people who knew Him best. Who walked with Him and followed Him. It makes the silly things that people do that offend us, pale in comparison. A perfect man that walked the earth for thirty some years, that never did anything wrong, yet was falsely accused, betrayed, beaten, and died a shameful death on a cross. He knew all of this was going to go down, that Peter would betray Him, but did not waver, He paid the price for such a messed up people, what an amazing picture of love!
I don't know about you, but I had a hard time reading all of this.
Doesn't this raise the question of how we can be so unwilling to forgive others when He did all of this for us? The grudges that everyone holds over petty stuff that does not even matter.
My favorite verse is the last one...one of such amazing comfort...Matthew 28:20
"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age"
the combined efforts of Matthew and Holly Heirendt :-)
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Ladies
Was thinking about dinner arrangements for next week...what would you all think about doing this on a rotation? Each meeting one family could bring the main dish, one family a side or salad, one family a sweet, and one family the drinks and paper products. We could then rotate it the following meeting. I am not trying to take over...I am just OCD. :) Let me know what you think!
Matthew 24
All of this chapter makes me think. I read it several times.
First question: When Jesus speaks of the destruction of the temple, is he referring to an actual building? It seems to me that I had heard at one point that he is actually referring to his earthly body. Anyone else heard of this?
As for the rest of the chapter...it reminds me that we need to be vigilant in living faithful lives. Although many have predicted the end of times and the second coming (remember Harold Camping 's prediction of May21, 2011), Jesus says that "of that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone." (24:36) "So too, you must also be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come." (24:44) Tomorrow it may be too late to repent. Tomorrow it may be too late to declare that Jesus is your Savior. Tomorrow it may be too late to spread God's word to someone who needs it. One cannot afford to wait until tomorrow. We must be ready!
First question: When Jesus speaks of the destruction of the temple, is he referring to an actual building? It seems to me that I had heard at one point that he is actually referring to his earthly body. Anyone else heard of this?
As for the rest of the chapter...it reminds me that we need to be vigilant in living faithful lives. Although many have predicted the end of times and the second coming (remember Harold Camping 's prediction of May21, 2011), Jesus says that "of that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone." (24:36) "So too, you must also be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come." (24:44) Tomorrow it may be too late to repent. Tomorrow it may be too late to declare that Jesus is your Savior. Tomorrow it may be too late to spread God's word to someone who needs it. One cannot afford to wait until tomorrow. We must be ready!
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Chapters for this week: Matthew 22,23,24
Alright gang, we are nearing the end of the book of Matthew. We only have three more meetings covering this book so try to find some other studies that we can explore after we finish the Gospel of Matthew. I want to thank you all for your discussion last week and on the blog.
I was asked if we could get our small group down to Washington to help paint a church (interior). I thought that this would be a great way for us to bond together and put into practice what Matthew and Francis Chan have been telling us. Anyone interested?
I was asked if we could get our small group down to Washington to help paint a church (interior). I thought that this would be a great way for us to bond together and put into practice what Matthew and Francis Chan have been telling us. Anyone interested?
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)