Triangles
The miracle of Pentecost is followed by a community of people who devote themselves to the Apostles’ teaching, shared meals, community, and prayer. It doesn’t take long, though, for tension in the community to express itself in a “triangle”. Unfortunately, triangles don't address the underlying issues. How will you respond when you find yourself in a triangle? You could (1) put on your superhero cape & save the day! (2) walk away saying, "not my monkey, not my circus", or (3) hand over the keys. We'll look at 3 examples of times when Jesus was drawn into a triangle.
Pentecost
Acts 2 describes the birth of the church. It’s a miracle for people to hear beyond the condemnation and the promise, “I will be your God and you will be my people”. They will still disagree with one another, but will stay together. Can you love someone with whom you disagree? That’s part of growing-up.
Matthew’s Greatest Hits: Volume 2 - Three words.
Matthew 28:16-20. Jesus asks disciples who doubt to go and make disciples. How do you invite someone to be part of the discipleship process? We’ll look at how John the Baptist and Jesus did this (John 1) with a story, a question, and an invite.
Matthew’s Greatest Hits: Volume 2 (welcome)
Matthew 28:16-20. Jesus asks disciples who doubt to go and make disciples. At McKendree UMC, we emphasize connections. So many people are hungering for relationships and wondering if they are welcome.
Matthew’s Greatest Hits: Volume 2 (the kitchen)
Matthew 28:16-20. Jesus asks disciples who doubt to go and make disciples. At McKendree UMC we do this with an inviting “front porch” and a kitchen full of action
Matthew’s Greatest Hits: Volume 2 (and 3, 4, 5…)
Matthew 28:16-20. Jesus asks disciples who doubt to go and make disciples. Let’s be sure we do this in a way that isn’t weird.
Matthew’s Greatest Hits: The Greatest Commandment (Part 2)
Matthew 22:34-40 Loving the neighbor seems easy…until it gets hard.
Matthew’s Greatest Hits: The Greatest Commandment
Matthew 22:34-40 What is the Greatest Commandment? Turns out God is most interested in a relationship of love. Seeing the law as a list of rules only gets in the way of the relationship God desires.
Easter People, raise your voices!
Matthew 28:1-10 Jesus could have started the Easter people by showing up for all Jerusalem to see. Instead, he sends them away to Galilee, where they spread the resurrection news through telling of their own encounters.
Who will you forgive for Lent? Love as hard as nails
Matthew 9:1-8 When a paralyzed man is brought to Jesus, he first offers forgiveness. What a scandal! What gives him the authority to forgive sins? Jesus' ministry as Messiah is a ministry of forgiveness. He will send his disciples with a similar ministry, and it can be a ministry of love as hard as nails.
Who will you forgive for Lent? How many times?
Matthew 18:21-35
Jesus stuns his disciples when he describes how often forgiveness may be needed.
Who will you forgive for Lent? Introduction to forgiveness
Matthew 18:15-20
Forgiveness is serious business. Our relationships with one another have heavenly consequences.
Games People Play: Jenga
Jesus concludes his sermon on the mount with a warning about judging others. When you find yourself labeling or judging, you should ask whether this is a warning about your condition. He ends his sermon by stating that we must listen to him and put his words into action. Anything else is like building a house in sinking sand.
Games People Play: Battleship
Blessed are the meek...but does that mean doing nothing when someone is being hurt? Jesus has a better way in mind when he instructs us to turn the cheek and walk a second mile.
Games People Play: Twister
Matthew's gospel emphasizes Jesus as the fulfillment of Torah. The first "book" opens with blessings for the humble, meek, and poor in spirit. It's all about relationships with God, others, and ourselves. Right relationships is the foundation of a blessed life.
Games People Play: Sorry Not Sorry
When John baptizes at the Jordan River, he calls those who show up to repent, change their hearts (intentions). God wants more than sorry.
When John baptizes at the Jordan River, he calls those who show up to repent, change their hearts (intentions). God wants more than sorry.
Games People Play: Introduction
As we begin the New Year in the Gospel of Matthew, we look at what makes this gospel unique (as well as the game Herod plays).
As we begin the New Year in the Gospel of Matthew, we look at what makes this gospel unique (as well as the game Herod plays).