Paul on Apr 30th 2008 devotions
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Day 3: Chapters 9 - 12
Chapter 9 - Jesus continues to heal
Some notes:
- Jesus continues to demonstrate the power of the Kingdom through several healings
- Jesus mentions how faith plays a part in His healing work
- He continues to rub the pharisees the wrong way by forgiving sins and by socializing with “sinners”
- Jesus states his intentions to call not the righteous but sinners
- Note in verse 8 how the people acknowledge Jesus’ humanity
Questions to ponder:
- Re-read verses 10-13. Why did the Pharisees question Jesus’ choice of company? How might we apply what we learn here to ourselves as Jesus followers?
- Why do you make of Jesus’ quote of Hosea 6:6 - “I desire mercy, not sacrifice”?
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Paul on Apr 29th 2008 devotions
Continuing our week in Matthew.
Day 2 - Chapters 5 -8
Chapter 5 - The Beatitudes
Now this chapter is worthy of an in-depth study in itself!
Some notes:
- This is the first of the 5 major teaching sections in Matthew
- Note the contrast between this teaching on Mount Sinai and Moses’ giving of the Law in Exodus
- This teaching focuses on the way of life in the Kingdom
- Note the “upside down” nature of Jesus teaching (i.e. - blessed are the poor in spirit, the meek, the merciful, etc.)
- Note how this teaching goes beyond the former teaching of what makes a person righteous and “blessed”
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Paul on Apr 28th 2008 devotions
As part of the discussion at last nights Quest, we will be spending this week reading through the Book of Matthew. Here on the site we will look at 4 chapters each day; highlighting points and asking questions. You are invited to interact and share your thoughts as we learn the Message of Jesus together.
Introduction to the book of Matthew
Author: Considered anonymous although some believe it is the work of the apostle Matthew (Levi the tax collector)
Audience: Most likely Jewish Christians who were committed to the Gentile mission
Some background notes:
- Matthew weaves together the story of Israel and the extension of the Kingdom to Gentiles
- Matthew frequently notes the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies
- Jesus is presented as the fulfillment of the Jewish Scriptures (Old Testament)
- Jesus is Teacher and “true interpreter of the law” and his disciples are to be learners
- Jesus’ followers are expected to not only listen to His teaching but to live what they are taught
- The book is structured around 5 major discourses of Jesus: Sermon on the mount (5-7), Commissioning the 12 disciples (10), Parables of the Kingdom of Heaven (13), Church life and discipline (18), Woes against religious leaders and end times teaching (23-25).
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Paul on Apr 28th 2008 notes
The Message
You cannot separate the Man from the Message. Nor can you separate the Mission from the Ministry. With Jesus, it all works together: man, message, mission, ministry.
Jesus was the epitome of “practice what you preach” - He WAS what He preached.
The message flowed out of WHO he was.
His teaching “amazed” people and his audience commented several times that he spoke “with authority” and not like the pharisees. (ouch)
His Message drew and transformed, enraged and engaged, confronted and challenged people. It ultimately got him killed . And it is still effecting our world today.
Jesus’ Message is central to who He is and it is central to our relationship with God.
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Paul on Apr 24th 2008 announcement
This week we’ll be back in the multi purpose room and will be continuing our discussion on Jesus. At the last Quest, Pastor Jeff started part two of our Meeting God series as he talked about how God entered “our space” through the person of Jesus.
This week we are going to look closer at Jesus and particularly His Message. What does Jesus’ Message teach us about Him? about God? about us? Was Jesus’ Message more than just some good teaching? Let’s dig in and find out! See you this Sunday!
Something to think about:
Jesus said that he came to proclaim that the “kingdom of God” had come near. What do you think that means? How might we think about this in the context of getting to know God relationally (which is what we are trying to do in this series)?
Jeff on Apr 17th 2008 notes
God created us as relational beings—we naturally want friends and relationships.
mySpace—Facebook—myChurch
I am on all three “social networks” so I can connect with people. I love getting “friend requests” and connecting with new people or old friends. But there’s definitely a dark side to the web and what one can see on sites like mySpace. While we can argue about whether Jesus would be on mySpace, but we can also see how God becomes flesh and enters our space. John 1: 14 reveals that He’s become part of mySpace…OurSpace…. God, in the person of Jesus, came to “friend request” us.
Everything in Xnty hinges on Jesus—it’s what separates us from other religions. Jesus is not just a prophet, wise man, etc. He is the centerpiece of Christian faith and who He is affects everything we know about God
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Paul on Apr 16th 2008 announcement
Sorry, we forgot to announce it, but this Sunday night will be a water baptism service in the main sanctuary. There are over 20 people scheduled to be baptized! So please come and celebrate this awesome occasion with us.
Fellowship and food will be at 6pm in the main lobby with the service beginning at 6:30.
Paul on Apr 9th 2008 notes
Recap
God is not:
- An old man “upstairs”
- A harsh unloving boss
- A cosmic sheriff - police of the universe
- Clueless, old-fashioned grandfather
- Distant demanding parent
God is, as we learned last week, our Father.
God uses this personal, relational title on purpose - He is a personal and relational God!
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