Scripture Reference: Matthew 8:1-4
It’s one thing to be physically separated from your community, quite another to be spiritually ostracized. Jesus encounters a leper who suffers from both, but the healing Jesus brings demonstrates something astounding who still struggle with God’s willingness to heal and his power to do so.
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Scripture Reference: Matthew 6:9-13
In an epidemic of loneliness in the West, why is communion with God not any more of an antidote to that? could it be that we are thinking of prayer all wrong? The Lord’s Prayer equips Jesus’ followers NOT with just a template for prayer, but a powerful means to change HOW we think of connecting with God.
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Sermon Reference: Matthew 5:17-22
Jesus opens his famous Sermon on the Mount with a perplexing statement refuting a rumor that he had come to discard God’s law. Instead, he said he came to “fulfill” the law. What he meant by that is the key to understand the nature of Jesus’ whole mission, loving the law.
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Scripture Reference: Matthew 4:1-11
If a hero is going to bring rescue, then he must face down and defeat that which is bringing danger. The ancient and dangerous villain of this world is known as Satan, or the devil. in Matthew 4, Jesus confronts his and our arch enemy by taking upon himself the devil’s assault of temptation. In this confrontation, we learn the tools of our enemy, but also where victory is to be found.
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Scripture Reference: Matthew 3:1-17
Everyone undergoes some sort of preparation before meeting a person of significance. What might it look like to be prepared to meet the hero and savior of the world? John the Baptist is out in the desert for this very reason, preparing his listeners to encounter Jesus. Disruptive words like confession, repentance, and baptism are emphasized. These words might seem off putting, until you realize the hero is coming to identify with and save the REAL YOU by sheer grace.
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