There are some healthy tensions in this passage that cause us to consider many questions. What is the sin against the Holy Spirit? How is a tree made good? How can we know what is in a person's heart? What answers does Jesus provide in Matthew 12? Listen to hear about them! https://oembed.libsyn.com/embed?item_id=20105162
Q/A: Knowledge vs. Wisdom
Question: In the Bible, King Solomon is seen as a very wise man. But some translations say he was very wise while others say he had much knowledge. Is there a difference between the two? If so, what is it? Where does the concept of “understanding” come into play? Answer: The short answer to your … Continue reading Q/A: Knowledge vs. Wisdom
Podcast: Matthew 12:22-30
Jesus heals a demon-possessed man. How do the demon-possessed man and the hopeful crowds compare to the Pharisees who dismiss Jesus? How does Jesus, the master of all logic, respond? https://oembed.libsyn.com/embed?item_id=20030723
Weddings with a “wow” factor
Nature cannot disconnect from its Creator; therefore, it retains its "wow" factor. Consider evening and morning of each day—the sun typically makes a spectacular light show besides all the good it does all day (and night by way of moonlight). A wedding—the creation of a new union by God that will be a means of … Continue reading Weddings with a “wow” factor
Podcast: Matthew 12:15-21
It’s noted here that Jesus healed ALL people. Why is that important? And He doesn’t want to make Himself known. How is that different than the fame that people seek today? This passage considers how the Old Testament prophecies are fulfilled in Jesus—wonderful things on which to meditate about our Savior who comes low to … Continue reading Podcast: Matthew 12:15-21
Pre-wedding Partying
What might an ambassador of the kingdom of heaven notice about what goes on before weddings these days? First, you may have noticed that more and more couples are living together before marriage, even among the children of devout Christians, church workers, and pastors. I’m going to tackle that subject later in August. Second, you … Continue reading Pre-wedding Partying
Podcast: Matthew 12:9-14
Jesus heals the man with the withered hand on the Sabbath. How does Jesus reveal what we are to understand about the Law and the Old Testament here? How does our fallen nature compare with that of the Pharisees? https://oembed.libsyn.com/embed?item_id=19881635
Podcast: Matthew 12:1-8
What is the true restfulness God provides to us in His gift of the Sabbath, and what freedom does it give us? How does that differ from the Pharisees' perspective, which we see in this passage? https://oembed.libsyn.com/embed?item_id=19818956
Podcast: Matthew 11:25-30
Why does Jesus use little children as the example of faith in this passage? And what is that easy and light yoke that Jesus is speaking of? https://oembed.libsyn.com/embed?item_id=19756208
Civil liberty and civil oppression
In the last post I introduced the concept of what God thinks about slavery. Continuing that theme, here are a few questions to consider: What good is civil liberty if we are held in bondage by the lusts of the flesh and our soul is dead? What harm can civil oppression do if our soul … Continue reading Civil liberty and civil oppression