Advent 2025, Week 2: Isaiah 9, Part 2 Matthew was there. He not only saw the light of Jesus’ peace change others, Matthew personally experienced what happened when Jesus light of peace enters the darkness of a person’s life. Matthew’s life was dark, without peace. He was a tax collector. Hated by his fellow JewsContinue reading “Peace in the midst of dark times”
Tag Archives: Matthew
Is following Jesus difficult? – Growing in Faith Together, Part 3
Some people say that being a Christian is easy. Others say it is difficult. They have a variety of reasons for their perspective. It seems to me that it depends. But let’s evaluate the ease and difficulty of following Jesus from his own words. In Matthew 16:21-26 there’s an interesting story in which Jesus saysContinue reading “Is following Jesus difficult? – Growing in Faith Together, Part 3”
Three times Jesus invited people to follow him into danger – Growing in Faith Together, Part 2
This week we’re talking about growing in faith together, particularly through the lens of Jesus’ famous phrase “Follow me.” In the previous post, we learned about some of Jesus’ first invitations to people to follow him. Some people accepted the invitation, some were hesitant. In Matthew 9:9, Jesus has another “follow me” invitation, “As JesusContinue reading “Three times Jesus invited people to follow him into danger – Growing in Faith Together, Part 2”
Two very different responses to Jesus’ famous two-word invitation – Growing in Faith Together, Part 1
This time last year I was in India. The trip came together quite quickly in the fall, and I gradually became more and more excited as the day of my departure neared. Then just a few days before leaving, something happened that always happens. I started feeling like I didn’t want to go. Maybe you’veContinue reading “Two very different responses to Jesus’ famous two-word invitation – Growing in Faith Together, Part 1”
Why embarrassment is necessary for…Studying Scripture together, Part 1
This past week in my class, I had a slightly embarrassing moment. I teach adjunct for a local Bible College. This semester I’m teaching the Gospels, the Life of Jesus. In class this past week, we were talking about Matthew 9, verses 9-13. I love this story. I’m very familiar with this story. But thisContinue reading “Why embarrassment is necessary for…Studying Scripture together, Part 1”
How Jesus fulfills a prophecy about being light in the darkness – Christmas 2022, Part 4
One of the guys who wrote the story of his friend Jesus, as I said in an earlier post this week, was Matthew. Matthew, like John, was one of the 12 disciples who followed Jesus around for three years, learning from Jesus how to shine light in the darkness of the world. Matthew tells usContinue reading “How Jesus fulfills a prophecy about being light in the darkness – Christmas 2022, Part 4”
Why Jesus would rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints – Luke 5:27-39
Last week I introduced this past Sunday’s sermon with a game of Don’t Forget the Lyrics – Billy Joel Edition. We had a lot of fun playing the game live in worship on Sunday. I wanted to play Don’t Forget the Lyrics – Billy Joel Edition because of some lines from his song “Only TheContinue reading “Why Jesus would rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints – Luke 5:27-39”
Engaging Scripture 