Just a few quick thoughts on these two chapters:
Matthew 22:1-14 I was actually a little confused about this so if any one can explain that I would love to hear your thoughts!
In this chapter I also found it interesting that every time the Pharisees tried to "trap him in his words" Jesus always had an answer for them that was indisputable.
Matthew 23 is a pretty harsh chapter against the Pharisees. What sticks out to me the most though is when he says in verse 3 "you must obey them(meaning the Pharisees)... But do not do what they do". Obeying authority is important but if they are not believers in Christ then we shouldn't always follow their example or "do what they do" if they are sinning. I hope that makes sense.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Watch Your Words
Matthew 15:10-11 & 17-20 NLT
10 Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. “Listen,” he said, “and try to understand. 11 It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.”
later He explains this further to his disciples:
17 “Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer. 18 But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. 19 For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. 20 These are what defile you. Eating with unwashed hands will never defile you.”
At the beginning of the chapter, the Pharisees begin asking Jesus why his disciples don't obey the old tradition of washing their hands before they eat. Jesus replies by saying that it's not what goes into their mouths that is the problem. It is their words that come out of their mouths. He goes on to say to his disciples that words come from the heart. We need to remember to be putting good, pure things into our heads and hearts, so that in return, good and pure things come out of our mouths.
Matthew 12:34b-35 also speaks on the subject:
"34b For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him."
10 Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. “Listen,” he said, “and try to understand. 11 It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.”
later He explains this further to his disciples:
17 “Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer. 18 But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. 19 For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. 20 These are what defile you. Eating with unwashed hands will never defile you.”
At the beginning of the chapter, the Pharisees begin asking Jesus why his disciples don't obey the old tradition of washing their hands before they eat. Jesus replies by saying that it's not what goes into their mouths that is the problem. It is their words that come out of their mouths. He goes on to say to his disciples that words come from the heart. We need to remember to be putting good, pure things into our heads and hearts, so that in return, good and pure things come out of our mouths.
Matthew 12:34b-35 also speaks on the subject:
"34b For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him."
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Rooted in God
There are a lot of great parables in Matthew 13! I think verses 20-22 do a good job explaining how easily we can fall away if we aren't deeply rooted into God's Word. The NLT words it well:
Matthew 13:20-22 NLT
20The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. 21 But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. 22 The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.
These verses show how it is really important to "summer-proof" ourselves, or really proof ourselves for any time of the year. We need to make sure we are spending time with Him daily, so that he can give us the strength to get through the tough spots in life. It's encouraging to know however that if we listen to and obey God he will always provide a way out. When we slip, He will pick us up again and help us to endure
1 Corinthians 10:12-13 NLT
12 If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. 13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
Matthew 13:20-22 NLT
20The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. 21 But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. 22 The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.
These verses show how it is really important to "summer-proof" ourselves, or really proof ourselves for any time of the year. We need to make sure we are spending time with Him daily, so that he can give us the strength to get through the tough spots in life. It's encouraging to know however that if we listen to and obey God he will always provide a way out. When we slip, He will pick us up again and help us to endure
1 Corinthians 10:12-13 NLT
12 If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. 13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Speaking Against the Holy Spirit
"Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come."
- Matthew 12:32
I love probing questions, and in this verse so much is implied through the Word of Christ. As Christians, we think of taking the Lord's name in vain and recognize it as a sin. But, Christ makes it a point to explain here that it IS pardonable. Why, then, do we continue to read in the latter half of this verse that it is unforgivable if one speaks against the Holy Spirit? What is the difference between speaking against the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit?
I'm looking forward to some wonderful thoughts. Just free right on this one... this is NOT an easy question!
Blessings,
Brandon
- Matthew 12:32
I love probing questions, and in this verse so much is implied through the Word of Christ. As Christians, we think of taking the Lord's name in vain and recognize it as a sin. But, Christ makes it a point to explain here that it IS pardonable. Why, then, do we continue to read in the latter half of this verse that it is unforgivable if one speaks against the Holy Spirit? What is the difference between speaking against the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit?
I'm looking forward to some wonderful thoughts. Just free right on this one... this is NOT an easy question!
Blessings,
Brandon
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Identity
I was a little confused by verses 2&3 in chapter 11:
"2 When John [the Baptist] heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, 'Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?'"
Why did John ask that when in chapter 3 he seemed to show that he knew Jesus was the Christ?
"2 When John [the Baptist] heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, 'Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?'"
Why did John ask that when in chapter 3 he seemed to show that he knew Jesus was the Christ?
Are you weary???
The promise Jesus gives us at the end of chapter 11 is amazing - "Anyone weary or have a heavy burden, come to Me and I will give you rest."
So often when I am stressin' about something, part of the problem is that I haven't been spending enough time with Jesus. When I enter His presence, the "big" things don't seem so monumental any more. That doesn't mean life is always easy. Its just that we know we have someone who is bigger than us and our problems coming along beside us.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Why?
In the story about Jesus healing the blind men (Matt. 9:30-31), Jesus tells the men not to tell anyone that He healed them. Why does He do that? If I remember correctly, He also does it in several other stories. Why would He say that to some and not to everyone He heals?
Thursday, June 11, 2009
What did He mean??
And so it was written,
"Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead."
- Matthew 8:22
What did Christ mean when He said this to the disciple who wanted to follow Him? From our perspective, wouldn't burying our father be something of importance? Then why, in this instance, was Christ so incessant on having this follower leave his dead father to be buried by others?
"Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead."
- Matthew 8:22
What did Christ mean when He said this to the disciple who wanted to follow Him? From our perspective, wouldn't burying our father be something of importance? Then why, in this instance, was Christ so incessant on having this follower leave his dead father to be buried by others?
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Solid Foundation
These were the verses that stood out to me today:
Matthew 7:24-28
24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.
This is a great reminder that if we follow God's direction, we can always be sure that we will be standing on a solid foundation. That doesn't mean that everything will be easy or that we will have no troubles in life, but when "the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against" us, we won't collapse, because we'll be in the arms of the Savior. This is sometimes hard for me to do. When the world is telling me one thing and the Lord is telling me another, sometimes it seems safer or easier to follow what the world is saying, but really we are building our house on a weak foundation and we will "collapse with a mighty crash".
I also included verses 28 and 29 because I find them interesting. We were discussing this some in an earlier post, but this again shows the difference between the teachings of Jesus and the teachings of the religious leaders.
Matthew 7:24-28
24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.
This is a great reminder that if we follow God's direction, we can always be sure that we will be standing on a solid foundation. That doesn't mean that everything will be easy or that we will have no troubles in life, but when "the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against" us, we won't collapse, because we'll be in the arms of the Savior. This is sometimes hard for me to do. When the world is telling me one thing and the Lord is telling me another, sometimes it seems safer or easier to follow what the world is saying, but really we are building our house on a weak foundation and we will "collapse with a mighty crash".
I also included verses 28 and 29 because I find them interesting. We were discussing this some in an earlier post, but this again shows the difference between the teachings of Jesus and the teachings of the religious leaders.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Love In"deed"
"But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly."
Matthew 6:3-4
I think of this verse often when I see the offering plate make its rounds on Sunday mornings. For quite a long time I gave out of fear that others might see my hand hesitate; that I may not be doing my "Christian" duty. I have since learned that God sees everything, and the vision of man is a naturally "skewed" perspective. Offering, like many other types of giving, can be seen from such a distorted vantage point. It is written, "ask and you shall receive." So very little does God ask of us, and yet we can so quickly become consumed in what others see us "doing." When we meditate on God's perspective... how He might perceive our deeds... we find that our motivations become in line with His.
When you give, do, or speak as a Christian, your reward is already had in the Love that Christ gives you through the Holy Spirit. I realize that there is scripture, which speaks to receiving seven times what is invested in the Kingdom. But, I would challenge you all to give without expectation; in thought and in deed. God loves the cheerful giver... and rewards with joy beyond measure.
Matthew 6:3-4
I think of this verse often when I see the offering plate make its rounds on Sunday mornings. For quite a long time I gave out of fear that others might see my hand hesitate; that I may not be doing my "Christian" duty. I have since learned that God sees everything, and the vision of man is a naturally "skewed" perspective. Offering, like many other types of giving, can be seen from such a distorted vantage point. It is written, "ask and you shall receive." So very little does God ask of us, and yet we can so quickly become consumed in what others see us "doing." When we meditate on God's perspective... how He might perceive our deeds... we find that our motivations become in line with His.
When you give, do, or speak as a Christian, your reward is already had in the Love that Christ gives you through the Holy Spirit. I realize that there is scripture, which speaks to receiving seven times what is invested in the Kingdom. But, I would challenge you all to give without expectation; in thought and in deed. God loves the cheerful giver... and rewards with joy beyond measure.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Revenge vs. Forgiveness
Matthew 5:38-42 talks about not taking revenge on others. Our Sunday school class talked about this yesterday, and I thought it was pretty cool that it was in today's scripture reading. These verses are a reminder that we shouldn't harbor anger and then take revenge on someone who wrongs us. We need to forgive them, even when it's really tough. If we ask, God will help us to forgive.
Matthew 5:20
In Chapter 5 of Matthew, Jesus wrote:
"For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 5: 20
The Bible is specific and intentional about "italicizing" the words the righteousness when referencing the scribes and Pharisees. After reading this verse in the context of the entire chapter, what do you feel Jesus was trying to communicate? Do you believe He felt there was a difference between the righteousness of the "scribes and Pharisees" and those whom He called to follow Him? If so, what do you feel is the difference?
Take time to pray about this verse, and feel free to respond. We enjoy your thoughts!
Blessings,
Bran
"For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 5: 20
The Bible is specific and intentional about "italicizing" the words the righteousness when referencing the scribes and Pharisees. After reading this verse in the context of the entire chapter, what do you feel Jesus was trying to communicate? Do you believe He felt there was a difference between the righteousness of the "scribes and Pharisees" and those whom He called to follow Him? If so, what do you feel is the difference?
Take time to pray about this verse, and feel free to respond. We enjoy your thoughts!
Blessings,
Bran
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Matthew 3
In chapter 3 I love verses 16 and 17 when it talks about the heavens opening up and the Spirit of God descending. That is a really amazing picture and I'm sure it was even more amazing to see in person. I also like John the Baptist. It's neat to me how he was such an essential part in preparing the way for Jesus.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Why Baptism?
Baptism was not a routine Jewish ritual. Why do you think it was important for Jesus to be baptized?
What else stands out to you about chapter 3?
Friday, June 5, 2009
Not a kingly heritage
Reading the first chapter of Matthew, with the genealogy, may seem boring but it highlights where Jesus came from. His ancestors were not all the most perfect, or most noble people. He had the same weird, or crooked family members that we all have lurking somewhere in our family tree. Jacob was a schemer, Judah helped sell his brother into slavery and conceived Perez by his daugter-in-law, and Solomon's dad was a murderer and adulterer. Obed and several others had mothers who weren't even Israelites. I think that part of the reason the genealogy was put in Matthew 1 was to show that Jesus was a human just like us, with relatives who had lots of flaws, just like ours do. Sure he was from a royal lineage, with lots of kings in his heritage, but there were lots of kooks and sinners too.
Chapter 2 is where the story gets exciting, with lots of God-interventions. Lots of dreams and drama. I wonder how often our lives have this kind of drama in the spiritual realm, and we may not even recognize it. God may be trying to intervene daily, but are we aware of it? We think of our day to day existence as rather mundane, but could it be an epic adventure if we were tuned into God?
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Summer Proof Yourself...
Senior & Junior girlz have organized a tubing trip down the Yellow Breeches to float and fellowship! Way to go gang! Stay connected in the Body of Christ!
Welcome!!
Welcome to the Lighthouse youth ministry blog!!! This is a place for you to put your thoughts and questions related to the scripture reading. You can put prayer requests and know that people will be praying for you. Also, we would love to hear the answers to prayer as God provides them. This is your forum, a place for you to ask, answer, and grow closer to God individually and as a community.
With that, let's get started!! Today's scripture is Matthew 1.
Blessings!!
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