This is a Biblical teaching channel for individual and group study. Its purpose is two-fold: for you to get to know the Word of God and for you to get to know the God of the Word. My prayer is that you will be blessed.

Kathleen Kasper

Jesus has healed a man who'd been infirm for 38 years at the pool of Bethesda. An additional interesting detail to be pointed out from this text is this: The man Jesus healed wasn't alone at the pool. There were MANY sick people laid at the pool. But Jesus only healed one man! 
 
Later we hear that Jesus did only what he saw his Father doing. On that particular Sabbath, Jesus' Father had directed him to heal that one man. 
 
How important is it to watch to see what God would have us do each day? It is VITAL. If Jesus did only what the Father directed him to do, then checking with our heavenly Father needs to be our priority as well.

Jesus has healed a man who'd been infirm for 38 years at the pool of Bethesda. An additional interesting detail to be pointed out from this text is this: The man Jesus healed wasn't alone at the pool. There were MANY sick people laid at the pool. But Jesus only healed one man!

Later we hear that Jesus did only what he saw his Father doing. On that particular Sabbath, Jesus' Father had directed him to heal that one man.

How important is it to watch to see what God would have us do each day? It is VITAL. If Jesus did only what the Father directed him to do, then checking with our heavenly Father needs to be our priority as well.

John 5:14-30

Jesus, his mother, and his disciples were guests at a wedding in Cana. Unfortunately, the wine ran out. Jesus' mother enlists his help and to the servants at the banquet says, "Do whatever he tells you." They did and that day 120-180 gallons of water became 120-180 gallons of the "BEST" wine. 
 
In Jesus, God gives His BEST! He gives us His Son. We are told that the changing of the water into wine was the first of Jesus miraculous signs. In this message, we have a great opportunity to talk about what a "sign" is and its purpose. It is so very important for us to clearly understand what a sign is and what it is not. Understanding this will help us as we continue to see "signs" which point to the nearness of Jesus' return. 
 
We are only in John 2, but Jesus goes to Jerusalem for Passover and there he drove everyone out of the temple area and "he scattered the coins of the money changers." The temple area had been turned into a market BUT God had set it aside to be a place for non-Jews to come near to Him. 
 
 Immediately, Jesus is questioned. What authority did he had to do what he did? The Jews who questioned Jesus asked Jesus for a sign to prove he had the authority to cleanse the temple court. 
 
Only one sign would be given. Jesus told them, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days." The temple Jesus spoke of was the temple of his body, which three days after laying down his life, Jesus took it up again.

Jesus, his mother, and his disciples were guests at a wedding in Cana. Unfortunately, the wine ran out. Jesus' mother enlists his help and to the servants at the banquet says, "Do whatever he tells you." They did and that day 120-180 gallons of water became 120-180 gallons of the "BEST" wine.

In Jesus, God gives His BEST! He gives us His Son. We are told that the changing of the water into wine was the first of Jesus miraculous signs. In this message, we have a great opportunity to talk about what a "sign" is and its purpose. It is so very important for us to clearly understand what a sign is and what it is not. Understanding this will help us as we continue to see "signs" which point to the nearness of Jesus' return.

We are only in John 2, but Jesus goes to Jerusalem for Passover and there he drove everyone out of the temple area and "he scattered the coins of the money changers." The temple area had been turned into a market BUT God had set it aside to be a place for non-Jews t

John 2:1-25

Jesus' crucifixion fulfills the plans and purposes of God which had existed BEFORE God created anything. Everything went according to plan. The Son of God was crucified in order to save people from sin. 
 
At the moment of Jesus' death, the curtain of the temple, the curtain which symbolized the separation of God from the people because of sin, was torn in two from top to bottom. It was no longer needed. Jesus had provided the way for all people to come near to God. The way was through his blood. God had provided a Lamb for the sacrifice - the Lamb was His own Son. 
 
Jesus didn't remain dead. Three days after his crucifixion, Jesus rose from the dead - just as he had said he would. Met by an angel, the women were told that Jesus was alive. On their way to tell Jesus' disciples, Jesus met them. They were told to tell the disciples to head to Galilee to the place Jesus told them about before his death. 
 
On the mountain Jesus met his disciples and he commanded them to "go and make disciples of all nations..." They were to teach the nations everything Jesus had taught them. He would be with them as they did.

Jesus' crucifixion fulfills the plans and purposes of God which had existed BEFORE God created anything. Everything went according to plan. The Son of God was crucified in order to save people from sin. 

At the moment of Jesus' death, the curtain of the temple, the curtain which symbolized the separation of God from the people because of sin, was torn in two from top to bottom. It was no longer needed. Jesus had provided the way for all people to come near to God. The way was through his blood. God had provided a Lamb for the sacrifice - the Lamb was His own Son.

Jesus didn't remain dead. Three days after his crucifixion, Jesus rose from the dead - just as he had said he would. Met by an angel, the women were told that Jesus was alive. On their way to tell Jesus' disciples, Jesus met them. They were told to tell the disciples to head to Galilee to the place Jesus told them about before his death.

On the mountain Jesus met his disciples and he commanded them to "go and make dis

Matthew 27:26-28:20

Jesus' betrayer Judas arrives at the Garden of Gethsemane and Jesus is arrested. Jesus remained silent until he was specifically charged under oath by the living God to tell them if he was the Christ, the Son of God. To that Jesus replied, "Yes, it is as you say." He also went on to say, "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." 
 
This got an immediate response from the religious leaders who had gathered together. As far as they were concerned, Jesus was guilty of blasphemy. He deserved death. 
 
While Jesus' trial is going on, Peter is being asked if he wasn't one of Jesus' disciples. Three times he denied knowing Jesus and immediately after he uttered his third denial, the rooster crowd. Peter went out and wept bitterly. 
 
Judas, on the other hand, realized his error - he had handed over an innocent man. When he could not right what he had done, he went out and hanged himself. 
 
Having reached their verdict, the religious leaders take Jesus to Pontius Pilate - the Roman governor in Jerusalem. The religious leaders could not outright kill Jesus. They needed Pilate to go along with them. Though Pilate came to the conclusion that Jesus was innocent, he handed him over to be crucified. He had given the people a choice of prisoners to be released. The people chose Barabbas instead of Jesus.

Jesus' betrayer Judas arrives at the Garden of Gethsemane and Jesus is arrested. Jesus remained silent until he was specifically charged under oath by the living God to tell them if he was the Christ, the Son of God. To that Jesus replied, "Yes, it is as you say." He also went on to say, "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."

This got an immediate response from the religious leaders who had gathered together. As far as they were concerned, Jesus was guilty of blasphemy. He deserved death.

While Jesus' trial is going on, Peter is being asked if he wasn't one of Jesus' disciples. Three times he denied knowing Jesus and immediately after he uttered his third denial, the rooster crowd. Peter went out and wept bitterly.

Judas, on the other hand, realized his error - he had handed over an innocent man. When he could not right what he had done, he went out and hanged himself.

Matthew 26:47 - 27:26

The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats points to the fact that when Jesus returns he will separate people and nations "as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats." Those who will be invited to take their inheritance prepared for them, will be those who will have cared for the sick, the thirsty, the naked, the hungry, the prisoner, the stranger. Such actions on our part Jesus receives as our doing them for him. Those who will be commanded to depart from Jesus will be those who ingored the plight of the stranger, the hungry, the thirsty, the sick, the naked, and the prisoner. By ignoring the ones in need, they were ignoring Christ. 
 
Chapter 26 begins with Jesus reminding his disciples that he will be crucified. It would be Passover when Jesus would be crucified. He was the PERFECT Passover Lamb. Not only do we receive forgiveness of sin through his shed blood, the judgment of God we deserve because of sin "passes over" us. Under Jesus' blood we are safe. 
 
Jesus' feet are anointed at Bethany and this prepares him for burial. The disciples make preparations for the Passover. During the Passover Meal, Jesus ushered in a NEW Covenant - one that was inaugurated and ratified by his blood. 
 
Peter makes the claim that he would never fall away from Jesus. But Jesus tells him that on this night Peter would disown/deny Jesus three times. 
 
After the Passover Meal, Jesus and his disciples go to the Garden of Gethsemane. There Jesus prays to his Father. He prays that if it would be possible for the "cup" of crucifixion he was to drink to be taken from him...may it be taken from him. However, he also prays, "Yet not as I will, but as you will." 
 
Was there another way? No there was not.

The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats points to the fact that when Jesus returns he will separate people and nations "as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats." Those who will be invited to take their inheritance prepared for them, will be those who will have cared for the sick, the thirsty, the naked, the hungry, the prisoner, the stranger. Such actions on our part Jesus receives as our doing them for him. Those who will be commanded to depart from Jesus will be those who ingored the plight of the stranger, the hungry, the thirsty, the sick, the naked, and the prisoner. By ignoring the ones in need, they were ignoring Christ.

Chapter 26 begins with Jesus reminding his disciples that he will be crucified. It would be Passover when Jesus would be crucified. He was the PERFECT Passover Lamb. Not only do we receive forgiveness of sin through his shed blood, the judgment of God we deserve because of sin "passes over" us. Under Jesus' blood we are safe.

Jesus' feet are anoint

Matthew 25:31 - 26:46

Jesus continues to speak of the end of the age. He says "There will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now - and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened." 
 
Before Jesus returns, the earth WILL experience trouble - extreme trouble. There is one response to trouble that "trumps" all other responses and that response is this: REPENTANCE. When troubles come, we need to turn (or return) to God. It would be uncharacteristic of God to send Jesus back to the earth without Him also providing us with "warning" signs to let us know how near that day was. St. Peter wrote that God is "slow" in order to give opportunity for more people to come to repentance. 
 
Again, we hear of false Christs and false prophets who will perform great signs and miracles. These are meant to deceive many - even the elect if that were possible. But Jesus tells us that when he returns, he will be visible to all. Therefore, there is no need for us to head out to where someone claims he is. He is not there. No one will be in doubt when he returns. We will know.

Jesus continues to speak of the end of the age. He says "There will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now - and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened."

Before Jesus returns, the earth WILL experience trouble - extreme trouble. There is one response to trouble that "trumps" all other responses and that response is this: REPENTANCE. When troubles come, we need to turn (or return) to God.  It would be uncharacteristic of God to send Jesus back to the earth without Him also providing us with "warning" signs to let us know how near that day was. St. Peter wrote that God is "slow" in order to give opportunity for more people to come to repentance. 

Again, we hear of false Christs and false prophets who will perform great signs and miracles. These are meant to deceive many - even the elect if that were possible. But Jesus tells us that when he retu

Matthew 24:15-35

Jesus begins to speak about signs that would point to his return and to the end of the age. He begins by giving a warning, "Watch out that no one deceives you." Deception will be rampant. We need to be aware that there will be deceivers. Some of the most dangerous deceivers will come through people who will point to Jesus and say that "Jesus IS the Messiah." 
 
How can these people possibly be deceivers? There are probably any number of ways but in this message and in summary of this message covered in Matthew 24:15-35 I point out two means deception will come: First. The fruit of their lives will not be a witness of the Gospel. Second. They will encourage their listeners to ignore what the Bible teaches for themselves. 
 
We are definitely witnessing both of these deceptions at work today. Prominent Christian leaders are being brought low because their lives aren't reflecting what they preach. We are also witnessing Christian denominational leaders encouraging their denominational bodies and their members to ignore specific biblical commands. Since when does God ask us for our opinion? No, God's Word is for us to obey, not debate and most definitely not to be ratified by a vote we take. 
 
There will be false prophets but there can only be false prophets BECAUSE there will be true ones as well. A counterfeit is only possible if there is a genuine article to counterfeit. 
 
It is the Gospel of the Kingdom of God that is to be preached throughout the whole world. The Gospel of the Kingdom manifests the Kingdom of God on earth. It is what we pray for when we pray "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

Jesus begins to speak about signs that would point to his return and to the end of the age. He begins by giving a warning, "Watch out that no one deceives you." Deception will be rampant. We need to be aware that there will be deceivers. Some of the most dangerous deceivers will come through people who will point to Jesus and say that "Jesus IS the Messiah." 

How can these people possibly be deceivers? There are probably any number of ways but in this message and in summary of this message covered in Matthew 24:15-35 I point out two means deception will come: First. The fruit of their lives will not be a witness of the Gospel. Second. They will encourage their listeners to ignore what the Bible teaches for themselves.

We are definitely witnessing both of these deceptions at work today. Prominent Christian leaders are being brought low because their lives aren't reflecting what they preach. We are also witnessing Christian denominational leaders encouraging their denominational bo

Matthew 24:1-14

The Pharisees have been questioning Jesus, but Jesus asks them a question: "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?" They are quick to answer "The son of David." This most certainly true. Jesus is the son of David. However, David also called his son 'Lord.' How can Jesus be both David's son AND his Lord? 
 
In God's Sovereign plan, He was going to be the One who would rescue humanity from sin, death, and the power of the devil. He would do it as the promised son of David. All of the 'I wills' in the Bible point to God as the One who would fulfill the prophecies concerning the Messiah. No one else was qualified to do this great thing. 
 
At the close of Matthew 22 we hear "No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.' Jesus had "PASSED" their inspection of him. He was one step closer to being "The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." 
 
Matthew 23 begins as a stinging rebuke of the teachers of the law and the Pharisees. There are seven "WOES" listed for us, but they begin with these words from the lips of Jesus, "The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach." OUCH!!! I sure hope that Jesus wouldn't be able to say the same thing about us. 
 
This message concludes with Jesus speaking from the heart about the beloved city of Jerusalem. Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem...they were not willing to be gathered together to the LORD.

The Pharisees have been questioning Jesus, but Jesus asks them a question: "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?" They are quick to answer "The son of David." This most certainly true. Jesus is the son of David. However, David also called his son 'Lord.' How can Jesus be both David's son AND his Lord? 

In God's Sovereign plan, He was going to be the One who would rescue humanity from sin, death, and the power of the devil. He would do it as the promised son of David. All of the 'I wills' in the Bible point to God as the One who would fulfill the prophecies concerning the Messiah. No one else was qualified to do this great thing. 

At the close of Matthew 22 we hear "No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.'  Jesus had "PASSED" their inspection of him. He was one step closer to being "The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."

Matthew 23 begins as a stinging rebuke of the teachers of the law and

Matthew 22:41 - 23:39

Jesus enters the temple area and drove out everyone and everything that didn't belong there. God's house was to be a "house of prayer" not a "den of robbers." 
 
Jesus continues ministering to the blind and the lame at the temple while children were shouting "Hosanna to the Son of David." Their praises did not go over very well with the chief priests and the teachers of the law. But God had ordained it and so Jesus did nothing to stop their praise. 
 
Jesus curses a fig tree and we learn that "doubt-free faith" can move mountains! We also learn much about prayer in this passage. 
 
During the days leading up to his arrest, Jesus is questioned by the chief priest, elders of the people, the Pharisees and their disciples, and the Sadducees. Though these religious leaders don't know it, they are actually "inspecting" Jesus for blemishes in the same way that the Passover lambs were being inspected for blemishes. Ultimately, Jesus' questioners were silenced. 
 
Jesus also tells two parables which were rightly understood by the religious leaders as parables against them. Naturally, all they wanted to do was find a way to arrest Jesus. 
 
What does it take to gain entrance into the wedding banquet of the king's son? We learn the answer to this in another parable Jesus tells.

Jesus enters the temple area and drove out everyone and everything that didn't belong there. God's house was to be a "house of prayer" not a "den of robbers."

Jesus continues ministering to the blind and the lame at the temple while children were shouting "Hosanna to the Son of David." Their praises did not go over very well with the chief priests and the teachers of the law. But God had ordained it and so Jesus did nothing to stop their praise.

Jesus curses a fig tree and we learn that "doubt-free faith" can move mountains! We also learn much about prayer in this passage.

During the days leading up to his arrest, Jesus is questioned by the chief priest, elders of the people, the Pharisees and their disciples, and the Sadducees. Though these religious leaders don't know it, they are actually "inspecting" Jesus for blemishes in the same way that the Passover lambs were being inspected for blemishes. Ultimately, Jesus' questioners were silenced.

Jesus also tells two parables 

Matthew 21:12 - 22:14

Jesus' disciples ask him who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus replied by calling a child and having him stand in their midst. Then Jesus told them "unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." The humble are the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. We are all that excited about being humble, but in the kingdom of heaven the WAY UP is DOWN. The humble ARE exalted and that exalted ARE humbled. Which do we prefer? 
 
Jesus goes on to say how serious sin is. God does NOT "wink" at sin. Sin is rebellion. Sin separates us from God. Sin is what sent Jesus to the cross. 
 
In these verse, Jesus tells his disciples what they are to do if a "brother" sins against them. We need to follow Jesus' instructions here. God desired reconciliation so much that he sent His one and only begotten Son into the world to be reconciled with us. We need to be reconciled with our "brothers" as well.

Jesus' disciples ask him who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus replied by calling a child and having him stand in their midst. Then Jesus told them "unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." The humble are the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. We are all that excited about being humble, but in the kingdom of heaven the WAY UP is DOWN. The humble ARE exalted and that exalted ARE humbled. Which do we prefer?

Jesus goes on to say how serious sin is. God does NOT "wink" at sin. Sin is rebellion. Sin separates us from God. Sin is what sent Jesus to the cross. 

In these verse, Jesus tells his disciples what they are to do if a "brother" sins against them. We need to follow Jesus' instructions here. God desired reconciliation so much that he sent His one and only begotten Son into the world to be reconciled with us. We need to be reconciled with our "brothers" as well.

Matthew 18:1-20

The disciples ask Jesus why the "teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?" Jesus tells them that Elijah was most certainly to come first, but Elijah had already come. He was not reincarnated (as the Bible doesn't teach such a thing), but that John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah. He wore the "mantle" Elijah wore. 
 
Jesus heals a demonized boy and the disciples ask Jesus why they couldn't drive the demon out of the boy. Jesus answered them by saying that it was because they had so "little faith." Whenever we take our eyes off of Jesus, we will be met with defeat. In our own power, we can do nothing. In Jesus' power, nothing will be impossible for us. A believer's authority is great, but the authority we carry is a delegated authority which is to be used in the same way that Jesus would use it. We have to keep this in mind. 
 
Jesus directs Peter to get the money needed for the temple tax from out of the mouth of the first fish he catches on his line.

The disciples ask Jesus why the "teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?" Jesus tells them that Elijah was most certainly to come first, but Elijah had already come. He was not reincarnated (as the Bible doesn't teach such a thing), but that John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah. He wore the "mantle" Elijah wore.

Jesus heals a demonized boy and the disciples ask Jesus why they couldn't drive the demon out of the boy. Jesus answered them by saying that it was because they had so "little faith." Whenever we take our eyes off of Jesus, we will be met with defeat. In our own power, we can do nothing. In Jesus' power, nothing will be impossible for us. A believer's authority is great, but the authority we carry is a delegated authority which is to be used in the same way that Jesus would use it. We have to keep this in mind.

Jesus directs Peter to get the money needed for the temple tax from out of the mouth of the first fish he catches on his line.

Matthew 17:6-27

After Peter's confession that Jesus is THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD, Jesus begins to explain to his disciples that he would be going to Jerusalem to suffer and die. He also said that he would be raised to life three days later. Peter rebuked Jesus for saying such a thing. Peter's rebuke, however, put Peter on the side of the devil and Jesus quickly told him so. The plans and purposes of God are carried out in ways which boggle our minds. The Christ HAD TO SUFFER AND DIE. This has been God's plan from BEFORE the creation of the world. 
 
Jesus speaks of cross-bearing in these passages along with denying our own self. Jesus said: "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it." 
 
Jesus is transfigured in the presence of Peter, James, and John and the disciples hear the heavenly Father speak.

After Peter's confession that Jesus is THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD, Jesus begins to explain to his disciples that he would be going to Jerusalem to suffer and die. He also said that he would be raised to life three days later. Peter rebuked Jesus for saying such a thing. Peter's rebuke, however, put Peter on the side of the devil and Jesus quickly told him so. The plans and purposes of God are carried out in ways which boggle our minds. The Christ HAD TO SUFFER AND DIE. This has been God's plan from BEFORE the creation of the world.

Jesus speaks of cross-bearing in these passages along with denying our own self. Jesus said: "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it."

Jesus is transfigured in the presence of Peter, James, and John and the disciples hear the heavenly Father speak.

Matthew 16:20-17:8

Faith to do what seems to be impossible is again highlighted in this passage. A multitude of people have been fed and the disciples are heading across the lake in a boat without Jesus being with them. In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus comes out to them, walking on the lake. At first the disciples are terrified. When Jesus identifies himself to them, Peter says, "Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water." To that, Jesus said: "Come." Peter's walk on the water lasted UNTIL he took his eyes off of Jesus. The same is true for us. We have got to keep our eyes on Jesus at all times. 
 
The Pharisees question Jesus because his disciples were not following the traditions of the elders. Jesus' reply was: "Why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?" What God says or has written down for us in His Word must supercede our traditions, but does it? 
 
A Canaanite woman comes crying out to Jesus on her daughter's behalf. The exchange between this woman and Jesus is interesting. She has no interest in taking anything away from the "bread" Jesus was taking to the "lost sheep of Israel." All she needed was a "crumb" and she got it. Her faith was, indeed, GREAT! 
 
Jesus continues to heal the people and once again a multitude of people is fed.

Faith to do what seems to be impossible is again highlighted in this passage. A multitude of people have been fed and the disciples are heading across the lake in a boat without Jesus being with them. In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus comes out to them, walking on the lake. At first the disciples are terrified. When Jesus identifies himself to them, Peter says, "Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water." To that, Jesus said: "Come." Peter's walk on the water lasted UNTIL he took his eyes off of Jesus. The same is true for us. We have got to keep our eyes on Jesus at all times.

The Pharisees question Jesus because his disciples were not following the traditions of the elders. Jesus' reply was: "Why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?" What God says or has written down for us in His Word must supercede our traditions, but does it?

A Canaanite woman comes crying out to Jesus on her daughter's behalf. The exchange between this woman and

Matthew 14:22-15:39

What happens when unclean spirits are driven out of people? How can re-infestation be prevented. 
 
Who are Jesus' mother, brother, and sister? 
 
Jesus begins to tell parables in chapter 13. Parables are stories Jesus told in order to convey spiritual truths. Do we have "ears to hear" what Jesus is saying in the parables or not?

What happens when unclean spirits are driven out of people? How can re-infestation be prevented. 

Who are Jesus' mother, brother, and sister?

Jesus begins to tell parables in chapter 13.  Parables are stories Jesus told in order to convey spiritual truths. Do we have "ears to hear" what Jesus is saying in the parables or not?

Matthew 12:43 - 13:43

The religious leaders don't want to accept the authority Jesus has to deliver the demonized, so they scoff at him and accuse him of being a fake. We'll hear more of this in chapter 12... 
 
The ministry of Jesus included BOTH preaching and healing. These are two sides of the same coin and we must accept this as so. 
 
The harvest in Jesus' day was plentiful but the laborers few. How much moreso today? When Jesus sent his disciples out as harvesters, he gave them authority to minister in the same way he was ministering. There was NO diminishment between what Jesus did and what they were to do. The same is true today. 
 
Unfortunately, the message of the Gospel isn't always received well. Some will accept it and others not.

The religious leaders don't want to accept the authority Jesus has to deliver the demonized, so they scoff at him and accuse him of being a fake. We'll hear more of this in chapter 12...

The ministry of Jesus included BOTH preaching and healing. These are two sides of the same coin and we must accept this as so.

The harvest in Jesus' day was plentiful but the laborers few. How much moreso today? When Jesus sent his disciples out as harvesters, he gave them authority to minister in the same way he was ministering. There was NO diminishment between what Jesus did and what they were to do. The same is true today.

Unfortunately, the message of the Gospel isn't always received well. Some will accept it and others not.

Matthew 9:32-10:16

Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector, to follow him and Matthew does. The religious leaders questioned Jesus' disciples about this. Jesus tells them that he didn't come to call the righteous but sinners. The healthy don't need a physician. The trouble is this: There isn't anyone who doesn't need Jesus. The religious leaders didn't see their need for Jesus and so they didn't seek him out to take care of their spiritual needs. But they, too, needed Jesus. 
 
God loves everyone. Who are we keeping out of our churches? 
 
Why didn't Jesus' disciples fast? The Bridegroom was in their midst!\ 
 
Jesus heals a dead girl and a woman who'd been subject to bleeding for 12 years is healed. Jesus also healed two blind men. Nothing is too difficult for our God. The healing ministry of Jesus and the role faith plays in healing is discussed.

Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector, to follow him and Matthew does. The religious leaders questioned Jesus' disciples about this. Jesus tells them that he didn't come to call the righteous but sinners. The healthy don't need a physician. The trouble is this: There isn't anyone who doesn't need Jesus. The religious leaders didn't see their need for Jesus and so they didn't seek him out to take care of their spiritual needs. But they, too, needed Jesus.

God loves everyone. Who are we keeping out of our churches?

Why didn't Jesus' disciples fast? The Bridegroom was in their midst!\

Jesus heals a dead girl and a woman who'd been subject to bleeding for 12 years is healed. Jesus also healed two blind men. Nothing is too difficult for our God. The healing ministry of Jesus and the role faith plays in healing is discussed.

Matthew 9:9-31

Jesus came to take up our infirmities and carry our diseases. He demonstrates this as he went about healing and delivering people. But the ministry of healing and deliverance continues today in the Church. The Gospel is two-sided. The two sides are the Gospel of the Kingdom of God AND the Gospel of Salvation. Both go together. Preaching the Gospel and Demonstrating It. There is no such thing as "powerless Christianity." 
 
Discipleship is COSTLY.

Jesus came to take up our infirmities and carry our diseases. He demonstrates this as he went about healing and delivering people. But the ministry of healing and deliverance continues today in the Church. The Gospel is two-sided. The two sides are the Gospel of the Kingdom of God AND the Gospel of Salvation. Both go together. Preaching the Gospel and Demonstrating It. There is no such thing as "powerless Christianity."

Discipleship is COSTLY.

Matthew 8:16-9:8

Asking, Seeking, Knocking - persistent prayer. God is our wonderful heavenly Father. He knows how to give good gifts to His children. What are our motives for making a request of God? 
 
We are to treat others in the way that way want to be treated. 
 
The road to life is narrow and few find it. The road to destruction is wide and many find it. Keeping our focus on Jesus is the only way to remain on the narrow road that leads to life. 
 
False prophets will be recognized by their fruit. It will be bad fruit. 
 
Jesus calls us to be doers of the Word of God and not hearers only. The wise will put God's Word into practice. The foolish will not.

Asking, Seeking, Knocking - persistent prayer. God is our wonderful heavenly Father. He knows how to give good gifts to His children. What are our motives for making a request of God?

We are to treat others in the way that way want to be treated.

The road to life is narrow and few find it. The road to destruction is wide and many find it. Keeping our focus on Jesus is the only way to remain on the narrow road that leads to life.

False prophets will be recognized by their fruit. It will be bad fruit. 

Jesus calls us to be doers of the Word of God and not hearers only. The wise will put God's Word into practice. The foolish will not.

Matthew 7:6-29

Storing up treasures in heaven. God is not against wealth. The question for Him is 'Where is our heart?' Our trust and dependence is to be on God rather than on earthly wealth. The wealth of the world can be destroyed or taken away in some manner. If it is, then what do we have. Nothing can be taken away from us if we've stored up our treasures in heaven. The 'Bank of Heaven' is secure and our deposits are guaranteed. 
 
None of the wealth we actually have is ours. Everything belongs to God and we are stewards of what is His. How we steward what He has given us is important as we hear in this message. 
 
Jesus has a LOT to say about worry and he goes into detail about the futility of worry. God knows what we need. We can trust Him to provide for our every need. Jesus tells us to "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to [us] as well. 
 
This does not mean that we don't have to work. No, work was a part of creation BEFORE humankind sinned. But even as we work, will our trust be in God or in ourselves? 
 
We are also told not to judge others. We can however judge the "fruit" of a person's life. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. We are told to first get the plank out of our own eye before we attempt to take a speck out of someone else's eye.

Storing up treasures in heaven. God is not against wealth. The question for Him is 'Where is our heart?' Our trust and dependence is to be on God rather than on earthly wealth. The wealth of the world can be destroyed or taken away in some manner. If it is, then what do we have. Nothing can be taken away from us if we've stored up our treasures in heaven. The 'Bank of Heaven' is secure and our deposits are guaranteed.

None of the wealth we actually have is ours. Everything belongs to God and we are stewards of what is His. How we steward what He has given us is important as we hear in this message.

Jesus has a LOT to say about worry and he goes into detail about the futility of worry. God knows what we need. We can trust Him to provide for our every need. Jesus tells us to "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to [us] as well.

This does not mean that we don't have to work. No, work was a part of creation BEFORE humankind sinne

Matthew 6:19 - 7:5

Gospel of Matthew; Matthew 3; Matthew 4; Jesus comes to John to be baptized by him in the Jordan River. Jesus didn't need to be baptized. He was, however, baptized to fulfill all righteousness. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." 
 
After being baptized, Jesus was led into the desert by the Holy Spirit to be tempted by the devil. This "test" HAD TO take place. St. Paul writes that Jesus is the second Adam. The first Adam failed against the devil. Jesus came to crush him, so this initial test had to be passed. 
 
Jesus passes each and every temptation the same way. He depended on the Word of God. He depended on his own Father's Word. 'It is written." We learn much from how Jesus faced temptation, much that will help us overcome temptation. 
 
Finally, the devil left Jesus. Luke's Gospel says that the devil left him until an opportune time. Certainly we are not to take away from this "time of testing" that these were the only temptations Jesus faced. If these were the only temptations Jesus faced, he would not have lived life and we do and he came to earth to live in the same manner and with the same temptations we face. The HUGE difference of course was this: Jesus never sinned. He overcame every temptation.

Gospel of Matthew; Matthew 3; Matthew 4; Jesus comes to John to be baptized by him in the Jordan River. Jesus didn't need to be baptized. He was, however, baptized to fulfill all righteousness. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

After being baptized, Jesus was led into the desert by the Holy Spirit to be tempted by the devil. This "test" HAD TO take place. St. Paul writes that Jesus is the second Adam. The first Adam failed against the devil. Jesus came to crush him, so this initial test had to be passed.

Jesus passes each and every temptation the same way. He depended on the Word of God. He depended on his own Father's Word. 'It is written." We learn much from how Jesus faced temptation, much that will help us overcome temptation.

Finally, the devil left Jesu

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