“As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Peter and John, Acts 4:20 This morning I’d like to share a few thoughts around a conversation we started yesterday in my Wednesday evening men’s group. The subject is “sharing our faith.” There is a lot to talk about here, and this…
Forgive us the wrongs we have done as we ourselves release forgiveness to those who have wronged us. – Matthew 6:12 Love is a severe mercy. Love is costly, and we are called to follow Jesus in love. Love is never taken, it can only be given; and love can never be imposed, it must…
The chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas to them instead. Pilate replied, “Then what do you want me to do with the one you call king of the Jews?” They shouted back, “Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Why? What wrong has he done?” They shouted even louder, “Crucify him!” Pilate…
The person who doesn’t love does not know God, because God is love. This is how the love of God is revealed to us: God has sent his only Son into the world so that we can live through him. – 1 John 4:8-9 Tell them to do good, to be rich in the good…
Again, the high priest asked, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the blessed one?” Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Human One sitting on the right side of the Almighty and coming on the heavenly clouds.” Mark 14:61-62 There is a lot on my mind this morning: There is excitement and anticipation…
Read more Jesus knew the scriptures; to understand him, we must too
He came and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you stay alert for one hour? Stay alert and pray so that you won’t give in to temptation. The spirit is eager, but the flesh is weak. – Mark 14:37-38 One young man, a disciple, was wearing nothing but a linen…
Read more Streaking at Gethsemane (staying awake, but still running away)
When we walk with the Lord In the light of His Word,What a glory He sheds on our way; While we do His good will, He abides with us still,And with all who will trust and obey. John Henry Sammis (1887) “Everybody who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise builder…
Read more the bottom line for Jesus (hint – he’s not that interested in what we say)
So then, if anyone is in Christ, that person is part of the new creation. The old things have gone away, and look, new things have arrived! All of these new things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and who gave us the ministry of reconciliation. In other words, God was…
Read more God’s simple question: “Didn’t I trust you with this message of Reconciliation?”
First, a word from our sponsor (that would be Jesus!) “Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged. 2 You’ll receive the same judgment you give. Whatever you deal out will be dealt out to you. 3 Why do you see the splinter that’s in your brother’s or sister’s eye, but don’t notice the log in your own eye? 4 How…
Read more my pearls are getting trampled and I’ve got this log in my eye…
“You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person!” “If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.” “If a soldier demands that you carry his gear…
Read more Jesus is all about retaliation (not pacifism, but activism)
