Trinity United Presbyterian Church

recounts a confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees, where they criticize His disciples for not following traditional hand-washing rituals. Jesus responds by teaching that true defilement comes from the heart, not external practices, emphasizing that evil thoughts and actions are what truly make someone unclean. As Christians, this passage encourages us to focus on inner purity and spiritual...

"You give them something to eat" - it's Jesus' command to ALL of his followers. Like his Disciples (or "ministers"), we have never been in the "miracle business" (trying to make something happen because of our own ingenuity, charisma or hard work -- instead, we are in the "distribution business" -- sharing what we've been given.

The four types of ground: path, rocky ground, thorns, and good soil: how can we cultivate our hearts to be sensitive to God, and fruitful in our obedience.

Glory to God in the Lowest

Glory to God in the Lowest

Glory to God in the Lowest

"Life without God is... Freedom? Self-sufficiency? Science...? " The answer from generations of philosophers (whether Christian or not) is instead "...despair and darkness." But, responding to that existential human condition, Is 9:1 tells us "Nevertheless..." Let’s realize that – because of God coming to earth at Christmas – life’s darkness (that we cannot by ourselves escape) has been seared ope...

If we’re not careful, we can let the sweetness and beauty of Christmas distract us from the power and sheer impossibility of Christmas. God has come to earth as a child…! “Immanuel” is – all at the same time – comforting (“God is near me, how nice!”), unsettling (“God sees everything I’m doing?!?”), and completely implausible.

"You shall bruise his heel, and he will crush your head." (Ge 3:15) The Bible doesn't make it more than two pages before it starts telling us what Jesus will do. The serpent will harm Jesus, but Jesus will destroy the serpent in return! Like a child before Christmas(!), God so wants to unwrap his gifts and show us what's coming.

Jesus calls those who are weary and burdened to come to him and receive rest. What are we burdened by? Guilt, shame, disappointment... we can bring it all to him and find forgiveness, grace, mercy. His yoke is easy and He is gentle with us. In him our souls find rest. (Augustine: Our souls are restless until they find their rest in Him)

Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. Matthew 10:34 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me is not worthy of me, and who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matthew 10:37 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 10:39

As Jesus comes down from the mountain (where he taught God's Law), he now applies that law by helping people. But not just "people"-- outsiders! No circumstance will keep you or me from worshiping, asking for, and receiving the grace of Jesus.

Why do we judge and condemn others?

Jesus teaches that our acts of righteousness, such as giving to the needy, should be done with genuine humility rather than for public recognition. Verses 19-24 emphasize the importance of storing treasures in heaven instead of on earth, urging us to focus our hearts on what truly matters—our relationship with God & loving others well!

God calls and equips his followers for a purpose- to be living proof of a loving God. He qualifies the unqualified. It's as simple and difficult as following.

This first half of Matthew repeatedly asks a clear but crucial question - "Who is this person Jesus??" -- and in the baptism of Jesus, we hear the Father's answer. The Old Testament helps us here -- Jesus fulfills TWO great hopes -- he is the "beloved son" of Psalm 2 and the servant "with whom I am well pleased" of Isaiah 42. That Jesus would be BOTH Mighty King and Suffering Servant - this was un...

To our surprise, Jesus' nature evokes both passionate love/acceptance AND violent rejection. And (also to our surprise) Jesus and those who follow him are not immune to the violence.

Welcome to a journey through the Gospel of Matthew! By both studying and journalling, we together will experience the full impact of this life of Jesus. But the life of Jesus begins long before his birth! God has been planning, working, and weaving together stories of triumph and tragedy in preparation for the fulfillment of humanity's hopes and dreams. In Jesus' arrival, God wants us to see that...

Spiritual Health Assessment - A Person who is living proof of a loving God has...

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your...