Grace Community Church of Ramona Podcast

Jesus shifts from persuading the nation to liberating individuals from the bondage of Pharisaical Judaism in order that they may truly know God and experience His life of soul-rest (11:27-30).

The campaign may have taken well over a year as the goal was to reach every town and village in all Israel. The Pharisees have begun a counter-campaign likely utilizing the network of synagogues to spread their lie. The lie: Jesus is empowered by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, not the Holy Spirit of Yahweh.

Everything between 10:5 through 11:1 pertains to this Big Push to evangelize all the towns and villages of Israel. It is likely this campaign lasted many months or more, possibly a year. Jesus will go to those towns/villages the disciples discover are favorable to Him.

To repent means "to change one's mind". About what does Jesus call the Jews to repent? Jesus calls His fellow Jews to change their minds about whom they are following. He calls them to follow the new wine of His teachings and to turn away from the old wine of the scribes and Pharisees.

Jesus calls His fellow Jews to change their minds about whom they are following. He calls them to follow the new wine of His teachings and to turn away from the old wine of the scribes and Pharisees.

Jesus proved He has authority to forgive a person's sins. Sin includes all the ways we fail to love and honor God, our fellow man and all the ways we violate God's revealed will. Our sin separates us from God. Forgiveness of our sins restores us to God. Do you need forgiveness?

Scribes were highly educated, highly trained in reading, writing, record keeping and in copying the Scriptures. They were considered experts in the Law (Torah). The scribe expressed his desire to join Jesus on this trip across the Lake.

Beware of false prophets. They won't represent themselves truthfully, but you can recognize them by the fruit of their lives and you can't fake fruit.

Critical judgment and prideful correction tear down. Persistent prayer for wisdom and humility builds up.

Work for the Kingdom of God and seek His righteousness, and He will take care of your future.

Be careful not to do good things just to get attention. If you do them so people will notice you, the only reward you'll get is their praise. There won't be a reward from God.

God sets the incredible example for us in loving His enemies, not only by giving them life and provision, but ultimately by sending Jesus, who would give his very life as a gift for his enemies.

Jesus teaches that God's will is for a man to be faithful to his wife both physically and mentally; God's will is for a man to be faithful to his wife in body and soul. This is the true righteousness of Jesus that continues to be true to this day. All of us married men should be striving for this quality of faithfulness with our wives.

The repentance required of the Jewish people was to embrace Jesus as their Messiah and spiritual teacher and break away from the teaching and example of spiritual externalism modeled by the scribes and Pharisees.

Externalism: The belief that what was required by the law was adherence to outward behaviors and rituals rather than inward righteousness.

Jesus was calling Israel back to obeying the Law. In obeying the Law, Israel would be "Salt & Light."

Mosaic Law (Written Law - 613 commandments: moral, civil, ceremonial) Oral Law (Traditions of the Elders - Detailed rules expanding how to apply Mosaic Law)

The second coming of Jesus and the establishment of His earthly kingdom will be in response to the repentance and reception of the Tribulation generation of the Jews who will embrace Jesus as their Messiah King (Zech. 12:10-14:21).

The requirement for the Kingdom was Israel's "repentance".

Israel's mission was to reveal God to the nations (Deut. 4:6-8). But Israel failed to accomplish her mission because she failed in the three ways the devil will test Jesus. Will Jesus, the new Israel, fail too?

Matthew 3:13-17

Easter Message 2025

Special message about giving

God Will Send Another Prophet Like Elijah. This prophet will prepare the way for the LORD. There will be judgment on the proud and wicked. There will be mercy and rejoicing for the righteous.