Trust & Obey, Week 3: Luke 6, Part 2 The picture above shows the text of two of Jesus’ Beatitudes. From memory, can you say any of the others? As the picture points out, you can find the text of the Beatitudes in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, which is Matthew chapters 5–7. The BeatitudesContinue reading “A new kind of Beatitude”
Tag Archives: spirituality
Setting the scene for Jesus’ surprising take on blessings
Trust & Obey, Week 3: Luke 6, Part 1 You may have heard of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. That famous passage is found in Matthew 5–7. But have you ever heard of Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain? His Sermon on the Plain has many similar, or even the same, teachings as those found inContinue reading “Setting the scene for Jesus’ surprising take on blessings”
Are we misunderstanding blessing?
Trust & Obey, Week 3: Luke 6, Preview Around the tables at your Thanksgiving gatherings this coming week, will you take time to share with your family and friends what you are thankful for? One of the worship songs we recently sang at Faith Church is perfect for Thanksgiving, “Count Your Blessings.” There is somethingContinue reading “Are we misunderstanding blessing?”
What Jesus’ kingdom looks like (hint: it’s not church buildings)
Trust & Obey, Week 2: Matthew 16 & 18, Part 4 Can you recite the Lord’s Prayer? Our Father who art in heaven… In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus not only teaches his disciples how to pray, but also what to pray for. What he taught us to pray for has everything to do with thisContinue reading “What Jesus’ kingdom looks like (hint: it’s not church buildings)”
What Jesus never said about church
Trust & Obey, Week 2: Matthew 16 & 18, Part 3 When you hear the word “church,” what comes to mind is likely a contemporary expression of church in your culture. For me, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA, I think of church buildings. My county has something like 700 church buildings of all shapes andContinue reading “What Jesus never said about church”
Jesus’ two surprising teachings about church
Trust & Obey, Week 2: Matthew 16 & 18, Part 2 As a pastor of twenty-three years, I’ve had some surprising experiences during worship services. For example, one time a wasp landed right on my Bible as I was preaching! People seated close to the front saw it all. I swatted at it, and itContinue reading “Jesus’ two surprising teachings about church”
The proper foundation on which to build a church
Trust & Obey, Week 2: Matthew 16 & 18, Part 1 Guess how many total times the word “church” appears in all four Gospels combined? Don’t google it. I’m going to give you the answer in a moment. Just off the top of your head, how many times do you think the word “church” appearsContinue reading “The proper foundation on which to build a church”
Nicknames & the foundation of the church
Trust & Obey, Week 2: Matthew 16 & 18, Preview Do you have a nickname? Nicknames are fun. They can build a warm, relational bond. Did you know that Jesus seems to like using nicknames? To his disciples James and John, he gave the nickname “Sons of Thunder.” To another disciple, Simon, he gave the nicknameContinue reading “Nicknames & the foundation of the church”
The surprising place Jesus said he wants to have a home (hint…it’s not in heaven)
Trust & Obey, Week 1: John 3 & John 14, Part 5 Jesus has been attempting to prepare his disciples for a major change, that he will be leaving them. But he says he will send the Spirit to be with them. Clearly, the disciples are unsettled and confused. So Jesus needs to explain further. Continue reading “The surprising place Jesus said he wants to have a home (hint…it’s not in heaven)”
Jesus says that we show we believe in him by how we live our lives
Trust & Obey, Week 1: John 3 & John 14, Part 4 It’s now just hours before Jesus will be forcibly taken from his disciples, and less than a day before he will be killed. In John 14, Jesus is having a final conversation with his disciples, trying to prepare them for what will rockContinue reading “Jesus says that we show we believe in him by how we live our lives”
Engaging Scripture 