Tag: Jesus

  • Instigation

    Instigation

    Jeremiah 15:10–14; Matthew 10:16–23; Matthew 12:46–50 Christmas is coming! All I want for Christmas is for 2020 to be over. How about you? 2020 may be the year of division. There is no question that the country is divided. While 2016 was certainly divisive, it is almost nothing to today. As much as many may…

  • Disciple, Baptize, Teach

    Disciple, Baptize, Teach

    Matthew 28:16–20; 1 Corinthians 1:14–25 One of the measurements of a church’s growth is the annual number of baptisms. If we were to review the church’s (and, by this, generally all American churches), the percentage is not particularly great. It certainly does not meet the so-called New Testament numbers. A lot has changed over the…

  • Flying Free?

    Flying Free?

    Isaiah 28:14–22; Luke 4:14–21 “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover the prisoner was you.” ― Corrie ten Boom What does it mean to be a captive? What does it mean to be free? In the ongoing COVID season this isn’t quite straightforward. Many people feel captive in their homes (voluntary or…

  • Indulge Me

    Indulge Me

    Matthew 23:23–36 Narcissus was a hunter in Greek mythology. He was the most beautiful person. He was so dissatisfied with those who claimed they loved him that he expected them to kill themselves to prove their love of him. It wasn’t until he passed a smooth pool of water and saw his own reflection that…

  • Crossing the Line

    Crossing the Line

    2 Chronicles 7:12–22; 2 Kings 21:1–17; 2 Corinthians 4:7–17 A great tragedy occurs every day, babies and children are abandoned. In all grace and truth, many of the parents are truly afraid of the responsibility and their inability to fulfill it. Some of these are abandoned at hospitals in the same way as babies used…

  • Substantial Character

    Substantial Character

    Daniel 6:1–24; Philippians 2:3–16 Adventure! Drama! Let’s see the big scene! Daniel and the Lion’s Den is a dramatic story. No question about that. It’s a great one for kids. Daniel, himself, is a great character. Daniel has great character. If you read the story carefully, you’ll notice something interesting. Daniel only has spoken words…

  • Beach Party!

    Beach Party!

    1 Corinthians 11:20–29; John 21:1–13 Have you ever been to a beach party? I have…once. It was a surreal yet enjoyable experience. I was the 3rd wheel. We had a huge pallet bonfire and roasted hot dogs. Even as the outcast that I normally am (or perceive myself to be), I felt included. These weren’t…

  • What a Feast!

    What a Feast!

    Matthew 22:1–14; John 6:53–58 When you’ve been invited to a party or some sort of celebration, have you ever received a little card that had you select from entree and/or other options? Or have you been to a buffet and been overwhelmed by the selection (or underwhelmed)? Over the years there have been many tales…