Our journey with Jesus picks up today not at the Eastern Gate—though it is Palm Sunday, but after his time of prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, when he was arrested. Listen to this part of our story for today (Matthew 26:47-50, 55-57, NLT)… And even as Jesus said this, Judas, one of the twelve disciples, arrived with a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs. They had been sent by the leading priests and elders of the people. 48 The traitor, Judas, had given them a prearranged signal:...
The Calling of Matthew (Levi) 13Then Jesus went out to the lakeshore again and taught the crowds that were coming to him. 14 As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Levi got up and followed him. 15 Later, Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. (There were many people of this kind among Jesus’ followers.) 16...
For years now, I have been a huge fan of Eric Clapton. Being ‘a professional musician wanna-be’ for most of my life, I have always loved the bands that Clapton played in. And, his solo career; don’t even get me started… I can tell you many things about Eric Clapton—some even that the average fan wouldn’t know, such as: He was born March 30, 1945—an English guitarist and singer/songwriter… He started out in the 60s playing with the Yardbirds, the Bluesbreakers, Cream, Blind Faith (w/Steve Winwood) and...
Folks, as we move to the very last chapter of Hebrews, we continue to be blessed by a God who loves us! Let me remind you of what we’ve learned together this summer. What has God done for us in the past? What is God doing for us today? And what will God be doing for us in the future? Our God is a God who has given us… HIS WORD … and JESUS as the perfect Messenger… REST … as only God can give… Jesus as a HIGH PRIEST...
Folks, what is the purpose of the Church? Since God’s chosen matrix—the Jewish nation—didn’t really work out so good, God now uses the Church as his matrix to reveal himself to the world! That’s what we’re supposed to be about! So, evangelism—sharing our faith—is really what will help to grow the Kingdom, to make the Church healthy and essential once again. The Early Church knew the Good News … and they shared it. Just listen to what happened: “Peter made his appeal to them and with many other words he...
