Sun, Apr 29th - 8:48AM

Matthew 15:1-9

Matthew 15:1 Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying, 2Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. 3But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? 4For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. 5But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; 6And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. 7Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Here Christ is criticizing the Jews because they had added their own laws, rules, and traditions to the Law of God and were judging people for disobeying them.

Sola scriptura was a foundational doctrinal principle of the Protestant Reformation held by the Reformers and is a formal principle of Protestantism today.  One of the issues that led to the reformation is that fact that the Catholic Church had replaced scripture for church tradition and even today so much of Catholic worship is tradition based instead of scripture based.  As Christians the Bible is our guide.  The Bible is the written word of God.  If it is not in the Bible than it is from man and not from God.   If the doctrine of your church is contrary to the Bible than it is based on the teachings of man and not of God.  This includes the Pope, the deity of Mary, the worship of saints, confessing your sins to a priest instead of God, the Book of Mormons, prosperity preaching, and others.   If it is not in the Bible than it is not a doctrine of God.  The Bible lays out the qualifications for leaders in the church but yet we have ignored this and have pastors leaving their wives and families still holding their positions.  We have pastors caught in affairs sometime with each still holding positions.  The Bible should be your guide for everything in this life.  This would include your personal walk with God and the teachings of your church. 

Fri, Apr 27th - 11:42PM

Matthew 14:22-33

Matthew 14: 22-33

This of course is the story of Jesus walking on water but we mostly concentrate on the actions of Peter.  Peter joins Christ on the water and is doing good until he takes his eyes off of Christ and focuses on the storm around him and of course we have the message for all of us. 

When we take our eyes off of Christ and concentrate on the storms around us we often lose faith but Peter did the right thing when he did begin to sink he called on Christ to save him.  We often fault Peter for his moment of doubt but where were the rest of the disciples?  Peter had his moment of doubt but he did have the faith to get out of the boat and join Christ while the rest hid in the boat.  Are you willing to get out of the boat and join Christ on the water?    

Wed, Apr 25th - 5:34PM

Matthew 14:1-12

Matthew 14:1-12

John was arrested because he spoke out against the sins of King Herod and his wife.  I am sure John knew the dangers of speaking out against the king and his wife but he didn’t back down.  In fact you can say that about of the main characters in the New Testament they didn’t back down from preaching the Gospel no matter the consequences or the dangers of doing so.  Of course we all know Jesus was crucified but also every one of his disciples lost their lives preaching the Gospel except Judas of course and John who spent his later years in a Roman prison for preaching the Gospel.  Today in Western Society most Christians don’t face physical danger for the Gospel.  In the West persecution is mostly of the verbal kind.  There are many who want to completely silence Christians especially when it comes to hot button issues like abortion and homosexuality but we as disciples of Christ have to stand firm and refuse to back down from the pressures of society to silence us.  Nothing is more sickening then to see the number of churches and leaders who has compromised their beliefs to appease society.  But I am not their judge but they will stand before the judgment seat of God to answer for their compromise to the enemy.   

Tue, Apr 24th - 6:58PM

Matthew 13:53-58

Matthew 13:53 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these parables, he departed thence. 54And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? 55Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? 56And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things? 57And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house. 58And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

The people of Nazareth couldn’t get past who they thought Jesus was to see who really was.  To them He was just the lowly son of carpenter.  One of the hardest things to do is to get past our preconceived notions of people.  We make the assumption that we know people based on their upbringing, or their environment, or the way they dress, or their social status.  Some of the biggest criminals in history have come from the most wealthiest and influential families.  Because someone grows up in a bad neighborhood doesn’t mean they are destined to be a criminal.  Some of the most influential people in the history of Christianity has had some of the most checkered of backgrounds or some of the most humble of backgrounds.  God judges the heart of the person not their background, or family life, or their social status or education level.  The person setting in the mansion needs Christ just as much as the prostitute on the street.  One of the biggest criticisms leveled against Christians is that we look down on people and a lot of times this criticism is correct.  Some of the hardest people to reach is often not the sinner on the street but it is often the person that has gone to church since they were a child.  They often have a hard time believing they are just as much a sinner as anyone else and are often the ones who have the hardest of times relating to someone outside of the church.  Remember who Christ reached out to?  He reached out to everyone, from the leaders down to the outcast of the Jewish people.  No one was unworthy of His love and we as disciples of Christ should have the same attitude.  Not only does your family and friends need your love and to be witnessed to about Christ but it is also those we are the most reluctant to reach out to, those we often look down on.  Everyone needs Christ from the pastor’s kid to the drunk on the street and it is our duty to bring the Gospel to all of them.

Sun, Apr 22nd - 8:57AM

Matthew 13:47-51

Matthew 13:47Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: 48Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. 49So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, 50And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 51Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord.

Jesus is clearly talking about the end times here.  There will be a day of judgment in the future.  Many chose to reject the thought of God judging the world and many more reject the idea of the unsaved being sent to hell but any serious study of the Bible reveals both that there is a coming day of judgment and hell is the destination of the unsaved.   

Sat, Apr 21st - 10:55PM

Matthew 13:44-46

Matthew 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

45Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:

46Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Nothing should stop you from reaching the kingdom of heaven.  Nothing in this world should prevent you from serving God and reaching heaven.  Is anything in this world worth the price of your soul?  Is a few minutes of sexual pleasure?  A quick high or a quick drink?  What is worthy enough in this world of giving up your salvation for? 

Sat, Apr 21st - 12:09AM

Matthew 13:31,32

Matthew 13:31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: 32Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

Christianity started with Christ and his twelve disciples.  It was these twelve disciples (minus Judas of course) and later disciples like Paul who would spread Christianity throughout the known world of their day.  The most effective form of evangelism has always been from person to person usually via personal relationships.  Except for the Sermon on the Mount and the Day of Pentecost mostly what you see throughout the New Testament is individual stories of conversion.  The woman at the well, the jailer, and others were stories of individual being told the Gospel and they in turn tell others about the Gospel.  It is a simple process of multiplication.  Someone tells me the Gospel and I believe I in turn tell the Gospel to someone else and they believe then that person tells someone else and so on.  But it only works if the chain isn’t broken.  Every one of us knows someone who is lost.  It could very well be that person will never hear the Gospel unless you tell them.  That person very could be in your life so you can tell them the Gospel.  Don’t let the chain end with you. 

Thu, Apr 19th - 5:27PM

The Parable of the Tares in Matthew 13

As Jesus explains He is the farmer planting the seed of the Gospel in the world but Satan has also planted his seed of deception in the world and at the end they will be sorted.  Those who belong to God to heaven and those of Satan to hell.

There is couple of points behind this parable.

First Satan has planted deception in the church to deceive.  Not everyone who says they are of Christ is really of Christ.  That is why the Bible says we will know them by their fruit.  That is also why it is important to know the Bible.  If a preacher’s doctrine doesn’t line up with the Bible don’t follow him.  People fall for false teachers because they don’t know the Bible.  The number one defense against false teaching is Biblical knowledge.  A Christian who knows the Bible will spot a false teacher right away.

Second point is that a coming day of judgment is a reality.  The days of this world are numbered and with every passing day we are one day closer to the day of judgment when God will separate the wheat from the tares.  The children of God will go to heaven and everyone who rejected God and served the evil one to hell they will go.

Wed, Apr 18th - 5:13PM

Matthew 13:10-17

Matthew 13:10 His disciples came and asked him, “Why do you use parables when you talk to the people?”

11He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets^a of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not.

12To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.

 13That is why I use these parables,

For they look, but they don’t really see.

They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand.

14This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says,

‘When you hear what I say,

you will not understand.

When you see what I do,

you will not comprehend.

15For the hearts of these people are hardened,

and their ears cannot hear,

and they have closed their eyes—

so their eyes cannot see,

and their ears cannot hear,

and their hearts cannot understand,

and they cannot turn to me

and let me heal them.’^b

16“But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.

 17I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but they didn’t see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn’t hear it. (NLT)

The Jewish leaders refused to hear what Jesus had to say so their heart was harden to the truth.  God didn’t harden their heart they allowed their sin and rebellion to harden their heart.  The same is true today.  I have debated with many atheists and believers from other faiths who think they know the Bible because they have read it when in reality they don’t understand what they are reading because they read it disbelief.  They read it looking for flaws and contradictions.  You will never understand the word of God outside the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  When you read the word of God you have to allow the Holy Spirit of God to open your heart to understand His word.  That is the only way you will ever understand what is written. 

Tue, Apr 17th - 7:09PM

The Parable of the Four Soils in Matthew 13

In this parable Jesus is explaining four different responses to the Gospel.

First you have the seed that fell on the footpath.  This is those that hear the Gospel but don’t understand it and what little they did know is snatched away from them by Satan. 

Second you have the rocky soil.  This is those that receive the Gospel with joy but don’t let the word of God put down strong roots in their heart and as soon as troubles come or they receive hardship over their beliefs they fall away.

Third you have the seed that fell among the thorns.  This is those who hear the Gospel but they let the worries of this life and the desires of this life crowd out the word from their lives.

Then last you have the seed that fell on fertile ground.  This is those that allow the Gospel to take root in their hearts and multiply. 

Now which soil are you?  Have you allowed the word of God to take root in your heart and multiply or do you let the cares of this world choke the word of God out of your life or have you never allowed it take root so that you easily fall away when trouble or have hard time standing for what you believe, or do you have time understanding the word of God because you never take the time to learn and grow?   Only one of these seeds is going to grow and multiply and that is the seed that found fertile ground where it was allowed to dig deep roots into the heart.

Mon, Apr 16th - 5:39PM

Matthew 12:46-50

Matthew 12:46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. 47Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. 48But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? 49And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Whoever does the will of God is a child of God and hence part of the family of God.  Look at John 1:12,13

12:But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Sun, Apr 15th - 9:17AM

Matthew 12:43-45

Matthew 12:43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

Jesus was talking about the Jewish nation here directly.  Many had repented at the preaching of John and many had followed Christ but many of these soon would turn on Christ when they realized He wasn’t the Messiah they had in mine.  They were expecting a Messiah that would overthrow the Romans and re-established the Kingdom of Israel.  When they realize this wasn’t go to happen many turned on Jesus and He is telling them that they will be more wicked than they were before.

He is also talking to all of us.  Many people come to church and claim they are going to clean up their lives and get right with God.  For many this last for a few days and they soon find themselves back in the same pit of sin they were before and even worse off than they were before.  They are like the seed in Chapter 13 that had no roots.  They probably had ever intention of cleaning up their lives and getting right with God but since they had no roots Satan easily plucked them away.  And that is often the fault of the church.  The most vulnerable people in the church are new believers and often the most neglected.  We rejoice when someone comes to Christ but often forget this is a babe in Christ that needs to be mentored in his new life.  You wouldn’t leave a newborn alone to figure things out for himself neither should you leave a babe in Christ alone to figure things out for themselves.  That is why discipleship programs are important such as small group worship and Bible study groups. 

Sun, Apr 15th - 12:01AM

Matthew 12:41,42

Matthew 12:41The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. 42The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

Jonah didn’t do any miraculous signs in Nineveh.  He told them they need to repent or God was going to destroy them.  They listened to Jonah’s message and repented.  Queen Sheba heard of Solomon’s wisdom and traveled a great distance to hear his wisdom.

Now God Himself had visited the Jewish people and they refuse to believe Him or accept Him.  He did miracles in front of them and they refused to believe in Him.  He told them they need to repent and they refused.  What choice would God have but to condemn them?  The same is true of us.  If we refuse to repent what choice does a righteous God have but to condemn us?  He gave Himself to die on the cross for our sins and to open the way for our sins to be forgiven through Him but yet the majority of mankind has rejected this free gift of salvation.  What choice does God have if we reject the only way to heaven but to condemn us? 

Fri, Apr 13th - 11:43PM

Matthew 12:38-40

Matthew 12:38Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. 39But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 40For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Jesus had already done many miracles in front of them and they had refused to believe.  When He had done miracles they claim He had used the power of Satan.  Jesus knew their hearts and knew their hearts were harden by sin and rebellion and that they weren’t go to believe Him even after rising on the third day like He said He would they still refused to believe in Him.  Some people will hold onto that rebellious heart all the way to hell.  There is plenty proof today that God is real but many refuse to believe and it is this unbelief and rebellion that they answer for before the judgment seat of God.  Our job is to preach the Gospel anyway.  Some will believe and some won’t but we won’t be held accountable for those who refuse to believe.  They will answer for their own disbelief in God and rejection of His gift of salvation. 

Thu, Apr 12th - 10:00PM

Matthew 12:36,37

Matthew 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

The way you talk and the things you talk of says a lot about you.  You can tell what is important to a person by the things he talks of the most.  When you talk do people see a Christian or a sinner?  What is in your heart is what will come out your mouth.  Is it speech that glorifies God or is it lewd, cruel, and sinful. 

Wed, Apr 11th - 10:06PM

Matthew 12:33

Matthew 12:33“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. (NIV)

If your tree, your heart, is good you will produce good fruit or righteous, holy fruit, fruit that is pleasing to God.  In other words you will do good things but if your heart is corrupt and full of sin you will produce bad fruit.  You will commit sin and do things displeasing to God.  Make sure you produce good fruit by feeding your tree the word of God and plenty of time with God in prayer and worship. 

Tue, Apr 10th - 10:08PM

Matthew 12:31,32

Matthew 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. 32And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God.  Those who reject the Spirit of God reject God or more importantly those who rejects the Holy Spirit’s call to repent of their sins reject God.  Think about it.  What is the one thing that will send you to hell?  Rejecting God right or more precisely rejecting God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.  If you reject the Holy Spirit’s conviction to repent of your sins and accept Jesus as your Savior what choice does God have but send you to hell.  You have rejected the only way to heaven.  Christ said it himself in John 14:6

6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Mon, Apr 9th - 10:31PM

Matthew 12:30

Matthew 12:30 Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me (NLT)

How many of you thought you were working against God or that you oppose Him?  The Bible says if you aint with Him you are against Him and if you aint helping you are working against Him.  There is a spiritual war going on between God and Satan, between good and evil and this is a war with no neutrals.  You are either actively with God or you are working for Satan.  If you aint actively assisting in spreading the Gospel then you are working against it by not doing your part to reach the lost. 

Sat, Apr 7th - 11:29PM

Matthew 12:15-21

Matthew 12:15 Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Many followed him, and he healed all their sick,

 16warning them not to tell who he was.

17This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

18“Here is my servant whom I have chosen,

the one I love, in whom I delight;

I will put my Spirit on him,

and he will proclaim justice to the nations.

19He will not quarrel or cry out;

no one will hear his voice in the streets.

20A bruised reed he will not break,

and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,

till he leads justice to victory.

21In his name the nations will put their hope.” (NIV)

Jesus is the only hope for this world.  Without Christ we are sinners on our way to hell.  It is through Christ that we have the forgiveness of sins for all who accept Him as their Lord and Savior.  Without Christ as your Lord and Savior your destination is hell. 

Fri, Apr 6th - 11:28PM

Matthew 12:1-14

Matthew 12:1-14.

Jesus wasn’t guilty of breaking the Law.  The Jews had added additional rules unto the Law of God and this is what they were accusing Jesus of violating.  These were man made rules added onto the Law of God but verse 6 tells you were their heart was at.  They claimed to be religious but failed to recognize God in their midst.  They failed to recognize the God they claimed to follow.  They made a show of being religious but in reality their hearts were far from God.  So is it with many today.  Not everyone who claims to be a follower of God is sincere.  Many are just going through the motions.  They might fool their fellow man but they can’t fool God and it is the judgment seat of God they will stand before someday. 

Thu, Apr 5th - 10:04PM

Matthew 11:26-30

Matthew 11:26Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. 27All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. 28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Sin and guilt are heavy burdens to bear but In Christ you will find peace.

Wed, Apr 4th - 9:59PM

Matthew 11:25

Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes

Look who the followers of Jesus were.  They weren’t the rich and the powerful.  They weren’t the scholars and the influential.  They were common people who had faith that Jesus was the Christ, the promised Messiah.  You will never find God in a science book or a history book.  Believing in God is a matter of faith.  Simple faith that God is real and that Christ is the Savior of the world because He shed His blood on the cross for us as a sacrifice for our sins that through His blood we might have salvation in His name. 

Tue, Apr 3rd - 9:51PM

Matthew 11:20-24

Matthew 11:20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: 21Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. 23And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.

Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum were all cities Jesus had personally preached in but yet the Jews rejected His message of salvation.  God is patient and longsuffering not willing that any go to hell but there is a coming day of judgment and those who have rejected Christ as their Savior will go to hell and endure eternal punishment. 

Sun, Apr 1st - 9:45PM

Matthew 11:9-11

Matthew 11:9But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.

10For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

11Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Once again Matthew is proving that Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecy.  This time Malachi 3:1,

Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

Sun, Apr 1st - 12:05AM

Matthew 11:7,8

Matthew 11:7 As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began talking about him to the crowds. “What kind of man did you go into the wilderness to see? Was he a weak reed, swayed by every breath of wind? 8Or were you expecting to see a man dressed in expensive clothes? No, people with expensive clothes live in palaces (NLT)

John didn’t have time for expensive clothes he had a mission to do.  He had to pave the way for the Lord.  Jesus and His disciples didn’t have time for expensive clothes or the pursuit of prosperity they were on a mission to tell the Gospel.  The primary focus of any ministry should be in reaching the lost.  Feeding the hungry  or any other social programs are great but the primary focus should always be in reaching the lost and it should never be in pursuing earthy treasures.