Narrow V. Wide Path
July 28, 2019 • Matt Howe
In His closing, Jesus is exhorting the people to enter the kingdom of heaven through the narrow gate. The gate to heaven is narrow in the sense of having a particular requirement for entrance—faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation is found only in the Person of Jesus Christ; He is the only way. The wide gate, which leads to destruction not life, is non-exclusive; it allows for human effort and all other of the world’s religions. Jesus says that the narrow gate will take us through hardships and difficult decisions. Following Jesus requires crucifying our flesh, living by faith, and living a lifestyle separate from the world; it requires that we allow God to reign in our hearts allowing us to do His will and not ours
Narrow V. Wide Path
July 28, 2019 • Mark Putman
In His closing, Jesus is exhorting the people to enter the kingdom of heaven through the narrow gate. The gate to heaven is narrow in the sense of having a particular requirement for entrance—faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation is found only in the Person of Jesus Christ; He is the only way. The wide gate, which leads to destruction not life, is non-exclusive; it allows for human effort and all other of the world’s religions. Jesus says that the narrow gate will take us through hardships and difficult decisions. Following Jesus requires crucifying our flesh, living by faith, and living a lifestyle separate from the world; it requires that we allow God to reign in our hearts allowing us to do His will and not ours
Judging
July 21, 2019 • Mark Rowland
Jesus does not mean that we should never make judgments. Obviously, we make judgments every day. We judge between right and wrong, dangerous choices from safe ones, etc. Jesus is cautioning us not to judge others in a self-righteous, hypocritical way. We shouldn’t be habitually critical of someone when our own sin needs correcting as well. By judging others in an unbiblical and hypocritical way, we pay an enormous price. Ridiculing others exposes us to the righteous judgment of God, and most of us are not really aware that we bring more suffering on ourselves by our complaints against one another. Judging and accusing is what Satan does.
Judging
July 21, 2019 • Matt Howe
Jesus does not mean that we should never make judgments. Obviously, we make judgments every day. We judge between right and wrong, dangerous choices from safe ones, etc. Jesus is cautioning us not to judge others in a self-righteous, hypocritical way. We shouldn’t be habitually critical of someone when our own sin needs correcting as well. By judging others in an unbiblical and hypocritical way, we pay an enormous price. Ridiculing others exposes us to the righteous judgment of God, and most of us are not really aware that we bring more suffering on ourselves by our complaints against one another. Judging and accusing is what Satan does.
Anxiety
July 14, 2019 • Mark Putman
We all struggle with worry and anxiety—some with more depth of despair than others. The simple truth is the more we worry, the more we worry. Jesus starts addressing this issue by telling us to not let anxiety about food and clothing distract us from more important things in life. We cannot affect anything by worrying, and it does us no good. Jesus recognizes the very real struggle most of us have with anxiety and worry. He not only encourages us not to be anxious, but He gives us an antidote to the worry, stress, and anxiety that we all face: seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Anxiety
July 14, 2019 • Mark Rowland
We all struggle with worry and anxiety—some with more depth of despair than others. The simple truth is the more we worry, the more we worry. Jesus starts addressing this issue by telling us to not let anxiety about food and clothing distract us from more important things in life. We cannot affect anything by worrying, and it does us no good. Jesus recognizes the very real struggle most of us have with anxiety and worry. He not only encourages us not to be anxious, but He gives us an antidote to the worry, stress, and anxiety that we all face: seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Treasure In Heaven
July 7, 2019 • Jonathan Kollmann
In this part of Jesus’ sermon we learn that we must have our priorities concerning material things properly aligned if our relationship with God is going to be what it should. If your focus or “your eye” is on treasures on earth, your heart will experience great disappointment because the things in which you find your joy will not last. The enemy wants us to be consumed with earthly things, whether it be material possessions or internal issues like praise of men. He wants to steal our joy and peace. But, if you are storing up treasure in heaven, meaning you are living for God’s glory and the good of others, whatever happens on earth will not devastate you
Treasure In Heaven
July 7, 2019 • Mark Rowland
In this part of Jesus’ sermon we learn that we must have our priorities concerning material things properly aligned if our relationship with God is going to be what it should. If your focus or “your eye” is on treasures on earth, your heart will experience great disappointment because the things in which you find your joy will not last. The enemy wants us to be consumed with earthly things, whether it be material possessions or internal issues like praise of men. He wants to steal our joy and peace. But, if you are storing up treasure in heaven, meaning you are living for God’s glory and the good of others, whatever happens on earth will not devastate you
Prayer & Fasting
June 30, 2019 • Mark Putman
We know that prayer is a powerful and necessary spiritual discipline. Jesus, Who modeled that prayer is of the utmost importance, teaches that the manner in which we pray can be more important than what we say when we pray. Jesus gives us elements of proper prayer that include: praying in secret, avoiding vain repetition, patterning after His example, and offering prayer with a merciful and forgiving spirit. Fasting is another discipline that Jesus addresses. Jesus Himself practiced this discipline and talks about it as something we are to do. We are to approach fasting in the same manner as prayer
Prayer & Fasting
June 30, 2019 • Jonathan Kollmann
We know that prayer is a powerful and necessary spiritual discipline. Jesus, Who modeled that prayer is of the utmost importance, teaches that the manner in which we pray can be more important than what we say when we pray. Jesus gives us elements of proper prayer that include: praying in secret, avoiding vain repetition, patterning after His example, and offering prayer with a merciful and forgiving spirit. Fasting is another discipline that Jesus addresses. Jesus Himself practiced this discipline and talks about it as something we are to do. We are to approach fasting in the same manner as prayer
Rebuilding the Walls
March 1, 2020 • Mark Rowland
The biblical figures of Ezra and Nehemiah are not the most popular or well-known. Years after the first group returned to rebuild the temple, another group returned under the leadership of Ezra, a priest and Bible scholar who was passionate about God and His Word. Ezra would do everything in his power to lead the Israelites into a new era of devotion to their God. After that, a final group returned under Nehemiah, who desired to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. He led the people to do so despite the fearful tactics of their enemies to derail and stop the project. Ezra and Nehemiah were reformers who were determined not to allow this reemerging but fledgling nation to fall back into her old ways.
All Saints Sunday
November 1, 2020 • Mark Rowland
Sunday, November 1, is All Saints Day, which is an opportunity for us to give thanks for all those who have gone before us in the faith. Though they are now in the eternal, their stories continue to help increase our faith and inspire us to keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. We thank God for the heroes of the faith found in the Bible as well as those who have personally impacted our faith. No matter how discouraging the events of our lives are, we can make it through with the encouragement of those who modeled how to live a godly life through the power of the Holy Spirit.
All Saints Sunday
November 1, 2020 • Jonathan Kollmann
Sunday, November 1, is All Saints Day, which is an opportunity for us to give thanks for all those who have gone before us in the faith. Though they are now in the eternal, their stories continue to help increase our faith and inspire us to keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. We thank God for the heroes of the faith found in the Bible as well as those who have personally impacted our faith. No matter how discouraging the events of our lives are, we can make it through with the encouragement of those who modeled how to live a godly life through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Hypocritical Generosity
June 23, 2019 • Mark Putman
We heard Jesus say earlier in His sermon, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Now Jesus is saying that our giving should be done in secret. Jesus is not contradicting Himself, but is addressing a different matter—the matter of the heart. He is addressing hypocrisy and phoniness in regard to righteousness. It is proper to do good works before men when we are trying to secure praise for God, but not when we are trying to secure praise for ourselves. If, in the innermost being of your heart, you do not mean to please and glorify God, your reward will be limited to the praise of men, not of God.
Last Words
November 26, 2023 • Mark Putman
When Peter wrote his second letter to the early church from a prison near the Roman Forum, he knew that Nero was going to have him executed. Knowing these would be his final words to the church, Peter packed the letter full of passionate words of encouragement and of warning. He encouraged them to remember all the promises of Jesus. He exhorted them to “make every effort” to live in obedience to Jesus’ commands, to love others as He loved, and to grow in holiness. Living in this manner would be a testimony to Whom they belonged and worshiped, and an assurance of their eternal destiny. He closed his letter with the declaration for them to continue to grow in grace and knowledge of Christ—beneficial words for us today.
Last Words
November 26, 2023 • Jonathan Kollmann
When Peter wrote his second letter to the early church from a prison near the Roman Forum, he knew that Nero was going to have him executed. Knowing these would be his final words to the church, Peter packed the letter full of passionate words of encouragement and of warning. He encouraged them to remember all the promises of Jesus. He exhorted them to “make every effort” to live in obedience to Jesus’ commands, to love others as He loved, and to grow in holiness. Living in this manner would be a testimony to Whom they belonged and worshiped, and an assurance of their eternal destiny. He closed his letter with the declaration for them to continue to grow in grace and knowledge of Christ—beneficial words for us today.
Hypocritical Generosity
June 23, 2019 • Matt Howe
We heard Jesus say earlier in His sermon, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Now Jesus is saying that our giving should be done in secret. Jesus is not contradicting Himself, but is addressing a different matter—the matter of the heart. He is addressing hypocrisy and phoniness in regard to righteousness. It is proper to do good works before men when we are trying to secure praise for God, but not when we are trying to secure praise for ourselves. If, in the innermost being of your heart, you do not mean to please and glorify God, your reward will be limited to the praise of men, not of God.
The Peacemaker
August 2, 2020 • Mark Rowland
Peacemakers want to bring peace to their world and the world around them. They are supportive; others feel accepted, heard and understood in their presence. Peacemakers are great mediators who can see everyone’s side but often don’t know what they want or think because they are so other-focused. Abraham is one biblical figure who exemplifies the Peacemaker. We see the best and worst of a Peacemaker through his: pleading with God for the city of Sodom, struggling and separating from his nephew Lot, dealing with the enemies he encounters in his travels, contending with strong-willed wife Sarai, and obeying the voice of the Lord. The Biblical truths that Type 9’s need to pursue include owning and resolving their feelings and making their needs known, embracing conflict in order to arrive at positive resolutions, and pursuing faith in action.
Rebuilding the Walls
March 1, 2020 • Jonathan Kollmann
The biblical figures of Ezra and Nehemiah are not the most popular or well-known. Years after the first group returned to rebuild the temple, another group returned under the leadership of Ezra, a priest and Bible scholar who was passionate about God and His Word. Ezra would do everything in his power to lead the Israelites into a new era of devotion to their God. After that, a final group returned under Nehemiah, who desired to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. He led the people to do so despite the fearful tactics of their enemies to derail and stop the project. Ezra and Nehemiah were reformers who were determined not to allow this reemerging but fledgling nation to fall back into her old ways.
The Peacemaker
August 2, 2020 • Jonathan Kollmann
Peacemakers want to bring peace to their world and the world around them. They are supportive; others feel accepted, heard and understood in their presence. Peacemakers are great mediators who can see everyone’s side but often don’t know what they want or think because they are so other-focused. Abraham is one biblical figure who exemplifies the Peacemaker. We see the best and worst of a Peacemaker through his: pleading with God for the city of Sodom, struggling and separating from his nephew Lot, dealing with the enemies he encounters in his travels, contending with strong-willed wife Sarai, and obeying the voice of the Lord. The Biblical truths that Type 9’s need to pursue include owning and resolving their feelings and making their needs known, embracing conflict in order to arrive at positive resolutions, and pursuing faith in action.