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Jesus encounters Pharisees and scribes who are critical and encounters the needy who are ready to receive of his ministry.

This passage completes a roller coaster day for Jesus and his disciples. It has the happiest of endings:  the disciples recognize Jesus for who He is and worship him!   Study notes are here.

This miracle, the only one recorded in all four of the gospels, is marked by Jesus' compassion, his leadership, his provision, and his call to a better life via The Bread of Life.   Podcast study notes are here. Here's a link about Dr. Derwin Gray's new book, The Good Life.   The link for the free chapter about peacemakers is here.

Matthew 14:1-12

Study notes are here.

[just a minute or two was inadvertently cut from the lesson]

The generation He addressed had an unusual privilege, afforded to no previous generation. The men of Nineveh … repented at the preaching of a mere man, Jonah. The Queen of the South (i.e., the Queen of Sheba; 1 Kings 10:1–13) came … to listen to the wisdom of a man, Solomon. The response of the Ninevites and of the Queen was commendable. But One greater than Jonah and Solomon (cf. Matt. 12:6) was...

As Matthew moves the narrative along we pick up some important themes in chapter 12:  Opposition to Jesus is building The "kingdom" is turning out differently than people might have expected This kingdom is moving beyond a relatively small audience in Israel; the Gentiles will also have hope.   Study notes are here.

After Jesus completes some instructions to his disciples, he moves to minister to the surrounding area. Not long after he learns that John the Baptist is having questions about whether he is really the Messiah. But, the doubts of John are nothing compared to the outright rejection of the gospel by the hometowns of his disciples. Rather than despair, Jesus prays with wonder and appreciation at the...

[editor's note: audio quality is poor for this episode]   a YouTube from Ravi Zacharias was played prior to the lesson. The class heard from ~18:18 to ~20:37

In this lesson we meet all the disciples and we learn of the unique calling that they were given by Jesus.   Study notes are here.

N.T. Wright says that the above title is the answer to several questions in the scripture passage today. Matthew positions a discussion about discipleship in the Kingdom after a series of ministry snapshots. In this discussion are some "why?" questions that Jesus answers with a number of metaphors. Following this is a story that includes two miracles -- a healing and a resurrection.  This is a new...

In this passage of scripture, Matthew reveals a Jesus who really is "the Mighty God, the Prince of Peace." His authority over situations and his ability to bring peace to these same situations is on full display.   Study notes are here.

Chapter 8 of Matthew gives us vignettes of Jesus' early ministry. He offers care, compassion and healing to the outcast, the gentile, the sick and the oppressed. Study notes are here.

The last verses of Chapter 7 wrap up the Sermon on the Mount. The crowds must have marveled as He simultaneously dismantled the prevailing religion of the day and laid the foundation for the true kingdom to come. Indeed, a kingdom that was coming.   Study notes are here.

Jesus tells us in these familiar verses to ask, seek and knock. These commands require initiative and, if we consider Luke’s perspective (Luke 11), persistence. Though one could consider this an invitation to ask for the frivolous, others have pointed out that our biggest risk is likely in simply not asking enough. Give God your time, your worries, your doubts and even your wants — trust Him to be...

Jesus says "Judge not!". But what did He really mean when he said that? It's easy for us to sense when someone is doing or saying something that is different from what we think is proper. The questions are: What are the issues? Is it worth a response? Where's my heart? What would be the motivation for my response? What is my desire for the other person? For the relationship? Shout out to Ken Sande...

In this lesson, Pastor Bobby Strother of Covenant Baptist Church teaches about fasting. It's normal, it's spiritually effective at getting God's attention and "it aligns your body with your heart." Key passages on fasting are covered:   FAST—The sole fast required by the law of Moses was that of the great Day of Atonement (q.v.), Lev. 23:26–32. It is called “the fast” (Acts 27:9). The only other m...

Into a Pharisaical world of legal technicalities, Jesus came preaching a message that fulfilled and transcended the Mosaic law. It was a message that focused on the heart. Study notes are here.

A person's attitude is a fairly clear reflection of their heart. Jesus' teaching was an amazing message that is just as sobering now as it likely was back then. 

Study notes are here.

The baptism of Jesus by John gives opportunity to define a starting point to Jesus' ministry, to see a picture of the trinity, and to take a look at the topic of baptism.  Of course, John wasn't performing "Christian" (believer's) baptism and Jesus didn't need to repent. Yet, Christ was eventually to take on the sin's of the world so it was proper for him to identify with the sinners that were com...