Podcasts about 12jesus

Introduction: Matters of Marriage: A Word for Each of You. (1 Corinthians 7:8-16) Singles: Enjoy the GIFT of SINGLENESS or GET MARRIED. (1 Cor 7:8-9) Single & Want to Get Married? 3 Don'ts: Don't SETTLE. Don't Look for the RIGHT PERSON. Don't Seek MARRIAGE – Seek LOVE. Married Christians: STAY MARRIED. (1 Cor 7:10-11) Married to a NonChristian (Who Wants to Stay Married): STAY MARRIED. (1 Cor 7:12-14) Married to a NonChristian (Who Wants to Leave): LET THEM GO. (1 Cor 7:15-16) Romans 7:2 – For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. Matthew 19:8 – He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce...” Matthew 19:9 - “And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.” Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANKHint: Highlight blanks above for answers! AUDIO TRANSCRIPT 00:36-00:39Open up those Bibles, 1 Corinthians chapter 7.00:41-00:42Chapter 7.00:44-00:47We're in the third section of 1 Corinthians.00:48-00:51Chapters 1 through 4 is about unity.00:52-00:54Like church, get it together.00:56-00:58Chapters 5 and 6 are about purity.01:01-01:08And then when we get to chapter 7 verse 1, you see that Paul is addressing some questions that they had.01:10-01:17And the first subject of this Q&A session is marriage.01:20-01:22So that's where we are.01:22-01:24We go where the text takes us.01:24-01:33I'm going to ask that you would please just quiet your heart before the Lord for a moment and pray for me to be faithful to communicate God's Word.01:33-01:44This is a passage that is going to get a reaction, and it's not about really my opinion or your opinion, it's what did God actually say?01:45-01:46That's what we're going after, right?01:48-01:52So pray for me to be faithful to clearly communicate what God said.01:52-01:57I will pray for you to have a heart open to receive what it is that God said.01:57-01:59All right, let's just take a moment and pray.02:02-02:16Our Father in heaven, I know that many times in my life I've had strong opinions about things that have had to change because of what your Word says.02:22-02:26Because at the end of the day, it doesn't really matter what any of us think, Father, It only matters what you think.02:27-02:42So I just pray that you would give us wisdom, that you would eliminate any distractions in our hearts and minds so we can just lock into what your Word has to say here.02:44-02:45It's for the glory of your name.02:46-03:00We pray in Jesus' name, and all of God's people said, "Amen." If you've been with us at all through our series in 1 Corinthians, we've seen that everything was a mess, right?03:00-03:06So now Paul's talking about marriage and no surprise, marriage was a mess.03:07-03:09We talked about this last week.03:09-03:16There were people strong on the single side and there were people strong on the marriage side.03:16-03:17Which one is good?03:17-03:21And the answer is both of them are good.03:23-03:28Marriage was a mess in Corinth, and if we're going to be honest, we're not doing so hot here today either.03:31-03:38As I was preparing this, I get an email that has just short news articles in it and updates and things like that.03:39-03:42And I just read this on Friday, I wanted to share part of this article with you.03:43-03:50This is the newest craze, I haven't heard of this one, maybe you have, but the newest craze is divorce rings.03:51-03:52Have you heard of divorce rings?03:53-03:54Raise your hand if you've heard of divorce rings.03:55-03:57Okay, a couple of you have, all right.03:58-04:04This is new as far as this article told us, but I just want to read part of it.04:04-04:18It says, "The diamond ring Alex Weinstein," that's a female, "wears every day is a reminder that once upon a time she said, "I do," these days she happily says she does not.04:20-04:45Weinstein got divorced last March and tossed her engagement ring in a drawer for a few months. Then the Tampa, Florida-based content creator decided to make herself a divorce ring. She reset a radiant three-carat stone from her ex- husband into gold, turning it east to west in a bezel." I should have looked up what that meant.04:45-04:46Anybody know what a bezel is?04:47-04:48Okay, nobody?04:49-04:50All right, I shouldn't have said anything, huh?04:51-04:53I was safe until I just said that.04:53-04:55All right, noted.04:55-04:56That helps me for the second service.04:58-05:07The shame and stigma, the article goes on, "The shame and stigma of divorce has been replaced for some women with empowerment and celebration.05:10-05:17While diamond rings have long been a cultural signifier of marriage, some women are also choosing to mark the end of their matrimonies with a little bling.05:21-05:26Weinstein says, "I'm not proud of getting divorced, but I am proud of putting myself first.05:28-05:34Why shouldn't I celebrate this chapter of my life?" Why am I sharing this article with you?05:36-05:49Because I think if anything sort of personifies how far we have drifted as a culture from God's ideal, I think this kind of nails it.05:50-05:53We are celebrating divorce.05:55-05:56We are celebrating it!06:00-06:04You know, we look at Corinth and we're like, "Man, those people were messed up." Us people are messed up.06:08-06:20Back to Corinth, though, some would say...some in Corinth had said, "Excuse me." Some said, "You know, being single is actually being more devoted to God." And they actually had married people get a divorce.06:21-06:36Like, "Hey, you'll be more devoted to God if you get the divorce." And then there were some that said, "Look, if you want to be devoted to God, you can't have intimate relations with a woman.06:36-06:48So if you want to stay married, just don't have any intimacy." Those were some of the thoughts they had in Corinth, and both of those are wrong.06:50-06:54In the previous passage, again, Paul said, "Staying single is good.06:54-06:56Marriage is good.06:56-06:59And intimacy in marriage should be a regular thing.07:03-07:05But what if I'm not in a biblical marriage?07:09-07:12What I mean is, what if I'm not married to a Christian?07:13-07:29I mean, you could go through the last couple of messages and say, "Oh, that's well and good for two people who love Jesus Christ, have the Word of God as their authority, and Oh yeah, like easy for them.07:31-07:33But what about me, Paul?07:34-07:38My spouse isn't a believer, so what am I supposed to do?07:40-07:41Should I just get a divorce?07:44-07:44What should I do?07:46-09:17Well, in this section we're looking at today, Paul clarifies matters of marriage addressing everyone in the church. Literally everyone in the church and everyone in this church. So this is kind of a good news/bad news thing. We're not having one sermon today. You're like, "All right, we are having four sermons today. All right, four sermons." Because each of these are very specifically addressed to a different group. So first up, matters of marriage, a word for each of you. You can take notes on the other ones if you like, but pay attention into the category you fall. Number one, singles. Singles, a word for you, here it is. Enjoy the gift of singleness or get married. Enjoy the gift of singleness or get married. All right, so if you're here and you're single, if you're streaming and you're single, if for you. All right? If you're single, enjoy that if it's a gift or get married. Look at verse 8. Paul says, "To the unmarried and the widows, I say that it is good for them to remain single as I am." Unmarried for any reason, right? Paul, once again, this is a We're going to go through this quickly.09:18-09:19We talked all about this last week.09:19-09:21Paul said being single is good.09:23-09:23Right?09:23-09:24Being single is good.09:24-09:26Why is he circling back to that?09:26-09:34Because there were Jews in Corinth that said, "You couldn't be holy unless you were married." That was a common Jewish mindset in that day.09:35-09:36You couldn't be holy unless you were married.09:36-09:41Paul's like, "That's not true." All right?09:41-09:43It's a gift for some people.09:45-09:47And Paul listed himself as one of those people.09:48-09:50Paul here very clearly says that he was single.09:51-09:52Like what happened to Paul?09:52-09:52Did he get a divorce?09:53-09:54Did his wife leave him?09:54-09:55Is he a widower?09:56-09:57We have no idea.09:59-10:03We don't know the details, but we know from this verse that he was single.10:06-10:07Okay, so single people, listen.10:10-10:27not denying that there are pressures to being single that married couples do not have. Things like loneliness, things like trying to manage a household yourself.10:28-10:34There are pressures that single people experience that married people don't.10:35-10:39But Paul is reminding the single people again, it is not wrong.10:40-10:44You don't have to feel like you're a second-rate Christian because you're not married.10:44-10:46It is not wrong.10:46-10:51And we're going to see later in this chapter, there are actually some advantages to being single.10:52-10:54All right, but look at verse 9.10:56-11:05He says, "But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry.11:06-11:16For it is better to marry than to burn with passion." So Paul's like, "Okay, you're single, but you have those urges.11:19-11:20You can't control yourself.11:20-11:23You like want to be with a person so badly.11:24-11:27Like you found that being single really isn't for you.11:27-11:28What should I do?11:28-11:29Paul's like, get married.11:30-11:31Get married.11:32-11:35He says it's better to marry than to burn.11:36-11:37Again, we talked about this last week.11:37-11:40If you have the gift of singleness, you aren't burning.11:42-11:47But if you have those desires, God gave the right context to use them.11:48-11:49That's why he says get married.11:50-11:50Get married.11:50-11:54You have the passion, you have the desire, get married.11:57-12:07I've got to say a couple of things about that, unless somebody runs out of here today, runs right across the street to Pantera Bread, and is like, "Look, Pastor Jeff said to get married.12:07-12:10Are you single?" No, okay, "Are you single?" "No, I'm going to find somebody.12:10-12:11Pastor Jeff said to get married.12:12-12:12It's right in the Bible.12:13-12:15I've got to find somebody today." Let's pump the brakes for a second.12:17-12:17All right?12:17-12:21If you're single and you want to get married, I'm going to give you three don'ts here, all right?12:23-12:27He says to get married, yes, but I want to caution you on a couple of things here.12:27-12:28Three don'ts.12:29-12:30Letter A, don't settle.12:32-12:33Don't settle.12:36-12:38I know being single can be hard.12:39-12:40Do you know what's harder than being single?12:42-12:44Being married to the wrong person.12:46-12:54Rushing into a marriage, not really knowing somebody, not understanding they don't really love you, they don't really love the Lord as they should.12:58-13:02It is absolutely heartbreaking how many times I've seen that.13:02-13:14Somebody wanting marriage so badly that the first single person that comes along that looks eligible and there's some kind of interest, we're rushing right into it, and oh, the regret that comes from that.13:15-13:16I've made a huge mistake.13:17-13:18What do I do now?13:20-13:30settle. Letter B, don't look for the right person. Don't look for the right person.13:34-14:46Like, wait a minute, you just said it was bad to be married to the wrong person, now you're telling me not to look for the right person? Yeah, don't look for the right person. You need to focus on trying to be the right person, all right? Try to to be the right person. In the early days of this church when we were really teeny tiny we had a single guy that came to me. He came up to me, he goes, "Pastor Jeff, I think I'm going to go to another church." I'm like, "Oh, why? What's the matter?" He goes, "I love this church so much, but I really want to meet somebody and I just really want to get married." Not a lot of single people in that tiny church. And I said, "That's a terrible way to pick a church. You know, who's got the best single scene? I said, "That's a terrible way to pick a church." I said, "You need to find a church where God is feeding you and where God is using you. You find a church where that's happening, you trust God to do the rest." He's like, "You're right." He goes, "You're right." And it wasn't long after that he did find a single lady, even in her teeny tiny church, and they're married. They since moved away and they have like, I I don't know, 20 or 25 kids, I don't know.14:47-15:03But the point was he was willing to trust God and seeking God first and seeking to be the person worth marrying, not just trying to find the right person for him.15:04-15:06So try to be the right person for somebody else.15:08-15:12Letter C, I read this great advice from a pastor this past week.15:12-15:19He said, "Don't seek marriage, seek love." Don't seek marriage, seek love.15:20-15:24Because ultimately, you're going to marry the person that you fall in love with.15:26-15:27All right?15:27-15:33So when Paul here says, "Look, if you have the desire," he goes, "Don't burn with passion." He goes, "Go get married.15:33-15:41Go get married." But again, let's temper that with, let's not rush into anything.15:43-15:44It's going to bring regret.15:45-15:52God has called you, God has called all of us to be content and thankful in every chapter of life we find ourselves.15:54-15:56So singles, this sermon's for you.15:56-15:58Enjoy the gift of singleness or get married.15:59-15:59All right?16:02-16:04All right, next sermon.16:04-16:06This is for married Christians.16:07-16:09Are you and your spouse both Christians?16:10-16:38a word for you. Stay married. Very simple. Very simple. Look at verse 10. Paul says, "To the married I give this charge, not I, but the Lord. The wife should not separate from her husband." Not separate, obviously, he's talking about divorce. So he's talking here specifically to Christian couples.16:40-16:46We know this because he talks about mixed couples in verse 12.16:46-16:49And by the way, let's get this out of the way.16:50-16:56When we talk about mixed couples, or we talk about intermarrying, that has nothing to do with race.16:58-17:00There's only one race, there's the human race.17:01-17:10So as long as you're marrying another human of the opposite sex, oh, the things I didn't think I'd have to say.17:14-17:15Race doesn't matter.17:15-17:16Okay?17:16-17:21So when we talk about mixed marriages, biblically there is no such thing except for mixed faith.17:22-17:26That's what the Bible forbids, mixed faith marriages.17:26-17:28He talks about them in a second, all right?17:28-17:29I felt like I had to say that.17:35-17:50So Christian couples, Paul says, "I get a word for you," he goes, "not I, but the Lord." Meaning Paul's like, "Look, what I'm about to tell you came straight from the mouth of Jesus Christ Himself." This is the Lord's charge, all right?17:52-17:57The Lord's charge is, Christian couples, no divorce.17:59-18:00Divorce isn't an option.18:00-18:02Divorce isn't a word that's said in your home.18:04-18:10Jesus talked about this so many times, Matthew 5, Matthew 19, Mark 10, Luke 16.18:11-18:15Jesus taught over and over that marriage is meant to be lifelong.18:16-18:16All right?18:18-18:45So we're going to try you out for a year or two, if it's not going to work, we have our exit strategy. That's not how marriage is designed according to our Lord. Marriage is meant to be lifelong. And remember, there were some Corinthians that thought, "Yeah, but if you really want to be devoted to God, you've got to get a divorce." And Paul here is just saying, "You know, God's not on board with that." I mean, just imagine for a second.18:48-19:08for a second if that sentiment was legitimate. Let's just pretend for a second that you could be more devoted to God, you could be more devoted to Jesus if you got a divorce. Do you see what would happen? Everyone that's looking for an out would just use that excuse.19:11-19:13They'd be like, "You know what, sweetheart?19:14-19:27I think we should get a divorce because I just want to love Jesus more." Right?19:27-19:28It'd start a new phrase.19:28-19:36It would be, "It's not you, it's Him." Right?19:36-19:37But that was the mindset they had.19:37-19:38And Paul's like, "No, no, no, no.19:40-19:42The words of our Lord are quite clear.19:43-19:52Don't get a divorce." But then you have the person that's like, "Oh, Paul, I wish you would have wrote this letter two weeks ago, because I did buy it.19:52-19:53You know what?19:53-20:00Yeah, we are both believers, but I bought into the idea that getting a divorce would benefit my walk.20:00-20:05So what do you do if you are both Christians and you did get a divorce?20:05-20:09What do you do about that?" Well, look at verse 11.20:09-20:18He says, "But if she does get a divorce, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband.20:21-20:28And the husband should not divorce his wife." Okay, so if you're like, "You know what?20:28-20:33I did get the divorce, and now looking back, we are both believers.20:33-20:37I shouldn't have done that." Paul goes, "Okay, well now you have two choices.20:37-20:58You're either unmarried the rest of your life, or go back to your husband and get back on track." Like, "I'm not sure that's possible." Well, if you're both Christians, forgiveness and healing and reconciliation should not be foreign concepts to you.21:01-21:04So if you and your spouse are both Christians, stay married.21:06-21:07All right?21:07-21:11And as we saw last week, verse 3, married Christian couples, pay your debt.21:13-21:13All right?21:14-21:16I know that's the sermon that always gets applied.21:16-21:20I know the nursery is going to be restocked in about nine months.21:21-21:21I know.21:24-21:25So married Christians.21:26-21:26All right.21:27-21:33This is where things get even more difficult.21:35-21:39This is addressed to those of you who are married to a non-Christian.21:39-21:44And I know there are some people in this church that are married to a non-Christian.21:46-21:49But this non-Christian wants to stay married.21:49-22:02Okay, you're like, "Yeah, my husband's not a believer, or my wife's not a believer, and Like, she's okay with me being a believer, and she's okay with me going to church, and she wants to stay married, so what do I do?22:02-22:03What do I do here?22:06-22:11God says, "Stay married." Stay married.22:14-22:21You know, back in, look at the, back in chapter 6 verse 15, we talked about this a couple of weeks ago.22:21-22:32Paul says, talking about those who were being sexually immoral with the cult prostitutes, he says, "Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ?22:33-22:37Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute?22:38-23:01Never." You see, there would have been some that heard this principle like, "Okay, so me physically being with a prostitute is like defiling for me, so what about me physically being with a non-Christian spouse?23:02-23:13Well, me being intimate, I mean, isn't it the same principle that I am defiling my body because I'm in this mixed marriage?23:14-23:16We have different faiths?23:18-23:20That's the question on the table.23:23-23:32Regarding mixed marriages, meaning one's a believer and one's not, you're like, "What do you do?" Well, first of all, it's forbidden, single people.23:34-23:42Second Corinthians 6.14, if you're single, listen, if you're single, you are not to get married to a non-Christian.23:45-23:46Corinthians 6.14.23:48-23:50You are not to get married to a non-Christian if you're single.23:52-23:54If you can prevent this, you should prevent this.23:55-24:03That people think, "Well, I'm going to get married to the person and I'll save them, and I'm going to be such a good influence on them," and it usually works the other way.24:07-24:12So if you're single, you are not to marry a non-Christian.24:13-24:23So all right, now with that out of the way, the question is, "Well, what if we were married as non-Christians and I got saved and he didn't get saved?" Or vice versa, man.24:23-24:26You're like, "Well, I got saved and my wife didn't get saved.24:26-24:29What do we do?" Well, look at verse 12.24:29-24:54He says, "To the rest I say, 'I, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her." By the way, when he says here, "I, not the Lord," you know what some people do with that, right?24:55-25:11They're like, "Oh, well, this is just Paul's opinion." So we can sort of disregard this section because Paul here, I mean, he's saying that this is just his opinion, and that's not what he's saying at all.25:13-25:29Back in verse 10, he was saying, "I'm quoting Jesus here." Now in verse 12, he's saying, "This is also from the Lord, but this isn't a direct quote from Jesus, do you see?" He's not saying this is uninspired.25:30-26:06He's just saying, "Before I was directly quoting from the ministry of Jesus, and now this is new revelation from God. That's all he's saying. So what if I'm married to a non-Christian and he wants to stay married? Paul says, "You don't get a divorce, you stay married. That's what you do." Like, really? Verse 13, "If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him." Oh yeah, that question, being with this non-Christian make me unholy?26:06-26:10Like isn't it the same principle as being with the prostitutes?26:11-26:13No, not at all.26:14-26:15Because look at verse 14.26:17-26:26For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband.26:29-26:47You see, when one of you is saved and your spouse is not, it's not that the Christian is made unholy in the eyes of God, it's the unsaved person is made holy.26:52-26:53I want to be clear here.26:54-27:01That does not mean that the unbelieving spouse is saved because they're spouses.27:01-27:03That is not what that means.27:03-27:06The Bible is crystal clear on salvation.27:06-27:09Salvation is an individual transaction.27:10-27:14You can't get saved because of somebody else.27:14-27:18Biblically, you have to make the choice to turn from your sin.27:19-27:20You have to make the choice to repent.27:21-27:27You have to make the choice that you are going to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.27:28-27:35It doesn't matter how good of a Christian your grandmama was, or your mama, or your spouse.27:35-27:36It doesn't matter.27:37-27:38You're not saved.27:38-27:40It's not like group raid here, all right?27:42-27:46You're saved by you making the choice.27:47-27:49You're like, all right, so what's he talking about here?27:50-27:57Well, it's a big fancy theological term that's known as matrimonial sanctification.27:58-28:01Impress your friends, drop that in conversation this week.28:02-28:03Do you have a water cooler at your workplace?28:03-28:04Drop that.28:05-28:08Yes, we were talking about matrimonial sanctification at church.28:10-28:12And they're like, "Oh, what is that?" And you'll tell them.28:13-28:18Well, in God's eyes, if one spouse is saved, there's blessing for everyone in the house.28:20-28:22I mean, think about it this way.28:25-28:26Think about it this way.28:26-28:36Imagine this married couple, you have this married couple, and the wife's parents die, and they leave her an inheritance.28:39-28:40They leave her a speedboat.28:42-28:44Now husbands, are you going to benefit from this inheritance?28:48-28:48No?28:49-28:50All right, let me try something else.28:52-28:55Her parents left her a Harley Davidson.28:56-28:58Husbands, are you going to benefit from this inheritance?29:00-29:02Yeah, some of you.29:02-29:03All right, let me try this again.29:06-29:08Her parents left her a monster truck.29:08-29:11Husbands, are you going to benefit from this inheritance?29:12-29:15Okay, this is really going to help for the second service.29:15-29:17Do you see the point?29:17-29:18You got the inheritance.29:19-29:26You know, you're driving grave digger down the road, but you had nothing to do with that, right?29:27-29:31You were blessed just because your wife received an inheritance.29:31-29:33It's the same principle at play here.29:34-29:35You're blessed by association.29:37-29:43In the same way, in marriage, two become one, and when God blesses one, the other gets blessed.29:43-29:48I mean, it's not salvation, but it's better than two pagans being married to each other.29:49-29:49Right?29:49-30:05Think of the blessing that comes to the non-Christian spouse when the Christian spouse is exhibiting the fruit of the Holy Spirit, when the Christian spouse is showing humility and love and service and selflessness.30:05-30:09And how could you not be blessed being in a house like that?30:13-30:14That's what he's talking about.30:16-30:23Oh, and regarding the salvation piece, look, nobody can deny the influence the believing spouse has.30:23-30:32I've heard the story so many times of people getting saved because of the witness that their Christian spouse has had.30:34-30:39So if you're in this situation, if your spouse is unsaved, God wants to reach them through you.30:41-30:43So let him see Christ in you.30:45-30:48And you're like, "Well, that's well and good, but what if we have kids, right?30:48-30:53I mean, I'm saved, he's not.30:53-30:59Does that make our kids like half pagan?" No, no, it really doesn't.30:59-31:01Look at the rest of verse 14.31:02-31:16Paul says, "Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy." See, even if you have kids with a non-Christian, your kids are also made holy through that.31:16-31:16Same principle.31:17-31:23Your kids are also blessed through that because God sees your marriage as holy, so He's going to see your kids as holy.31:24-31:30So if you're married to a non-Christian who wants to stay married, God's going to bless the family.31:31-31:34Stay married if they want to stay.31:36-31:38All right, one more.31:39-31:42One more group we didn't cover, and that's the last one here.31:43-31:48Let's say someone is married to a non-Christian, and that non-Christian is like, "I want out.31:49-31:55Like look, I didn't sign up for all this Jesus stuff, all this Bible study stuff.31:55-31:57I didn't sign up for all this church stuff.31:58-31:58I'm not interested.31:59-32:00I'm not a religious person.32:01-32:05I want out." So what do you do when you're married to a non-Christian who wants to leave?32:05-32:07The answer is, let them go.32:09-32:10Let them go.32:14-32:15Look at verse 15.32:15-32:33He says, "But if the unbelieving partner separates," that's divorce, look what he says, "let it be so." If the non-Christian spouse initiates a divorce, Paul says they can go.32:37-32:38And I know the reaction.32:38-32:39You're like, "Wait, wait.32:39-32:40Well, that means I'm stuck.32:41-32:49You know, I wanted to save this marriage, and they divorced me, and now I can never get remarried again because they left me.32:49-32:53So I'm stuck, right?" Paul doesn't say that.32:56-32:57Paul doesn't say that.32:57-33:04Paul was clear on situations where you had to be remaining unmarried.33:04-33:05We saw that in verse 11.33:06-33:11He was clear in those situations, and he could have said that here, but he didn't.33:13-33:14You can remarry.33:14-33:22If you are married to a non-Christian that abandons you, initiates a divorce, and leaves you, you can remarry.33:23-33:24Look at the rest of verse 15.33:25-33:30He says, "In such cases, the brother or sister is not enslaved." God has called you to peace.33:31-33:32Not enslaved.33:33-33:34Like, not enslaved to what?33:35-33:37He's talking about free from being bound to the marriage.33:38-33:39That's what he's talking about.33:41-33:53See Romans 7, 2 says, "For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives." That's what he's talking about here in 1 Corinthians 7.33:53-33:55That's the bound to the marriage.33:55-33:57He goes, "You're not enslaved.33:57-33:58You're not bound anymore.34:01-34:19You're no longer bound to the marriage." Now look, I know some sermons are easier to preach than others, and divorce is a very touchy subjects.34:26-34:27It's always painful.34:28-34:29It always brings regret and hurt.34:30-34:30I know that.34:33-34:40So I want to take a moment and I want to be clear on my best understanding on the subject biblically.34:42-34:43All right?34:44-34:46I don't want there to be any ambiguity.34:47-34:48I want to be clear.34:48-35:00I believe that there is only one cause for divorce biblically, and that is hardness of heart.35:04-35:05Like, why do I think that?35:05-35:08Well, Jesus was asked about divorce in Matthew 19, eight.35:09-35:09This is what he said.35:10-35:24He said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart, Moses allowed you to divorce." Jesus said divorce was allowed through Moses, through the law, because of hardness of heart.35:25-35:27Again divorce is allowed, not commanded.35:30-35:30Right?35:31-35:32Allowed not commanded.35:34-35:38But the question is, how do you know when someone is hard hearted?35:40-35:43Towards their spouse or towards their marriage, right?35:45-35:46Kind of a hard thing to gauge, isn't it?35:47-35:52Well Jesus said, "I can divorce you if you're hard-hearted." Well you seem hard-hearted to me, I'm getting divorced.35:52-35:53How do you know?35:54-36:07Well biblically there are two ways that hard-heartedness manifests, and both begin with the letter A. It's affair and abandonment.36:11-36:12Jesus spoke on a fair.36:13-36:30Matthew 19, 9, Jesus says, "And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife except for sexual immorality and marries another commits adultery." Now again, divorce is allowed, but not commanded.36:30-36:39Understand this, when this happens in a marriage, that doesn't mean you are required to get a divorce.36:39-36:43I can tell you so many stories of marriages where this did happen.36:43-36:51And there was much repentance and seeking the Lord, and marriages are on track better than they were on their honeymoon.36:55-37:05But when someone is committed to having relations with people outside the marriage, Jesus says that's evidence of hard-heartedness.37:06-37:08Moses allowed for divorce for that.37:08-37:17Here, Paul is addressing the other manifestation of hard-heartedness, and that's abandonment.37:18-37:22That if your non-Christian spouse divorces you, abandons you, you are free.37:24-37:27That's how you know your spouse is hard-hearted.37:29-37:35When they are willing to engage in relations with someone else, they're hard-hearted towards you.37:35-37:41Or when they're like, "I'm fine to just walk away from this marriage.37:41-37:43I'm fine to walk away from our vows.37:43-37:50I'm fine to walk away from that." Those are evidences of hard-heartedness.37:54-37:57And Jesus says abandonment is like adultery.37:57-37:59I'm sorry, Paul says abandonment here is like adultery.38:00-38:01You are called to peace.38:05-38:10You are not called to fighting a non-Christian to stay in a marriage that they are committed to getting out of.38:12-38:13One more verse.38:15-38:20Paul says, "For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband?38:21-38:31Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?" You know, people are really divided on what this verse means.38:35-38:41Some people think this verse means, "Well, you don't know if you're going to save your spouse, so let them go.38:41-38:43I mean, you have no guarantees, just let them go.38:44-38:56There's no promises are going to come to Christ, if they say let them go." That's what some people think, but other people think this means, "No, no, no, you might be the one that God uses to save them, so you should try to save your marriage at any cost.38:59-39:00I lean towards the latter.39:04-39:05There's no guarantees either way.39:05-39:06You don't know.39:08-39:10You don't know what God's doing.39:13-39:18So you better be sure that you did all you could to save the marriage.39:20-39:23I personally believe that this verse pumps the brakes.39:26-39:38This verse, as one person I read this past week said, this verse tempers any tendency that just easily give up on the marriage.39:41-39:45Because some people are just so quick to run to divorce as like option one.39:47-39:56Again, if things are hard now, how do you know that God isn't using you to reach your spouse?39:58-40:00Our worship team would make their way back up front.40:07-40:16Paul continues, and I think he's doubling down on some of these things because some of it's hard to accept and some of it's hard to hear.40:17-40:20But again, Paul reminds us that singleness is God's gift for some.40:23-40:25Marriage is God's gift for the rest.40:28-40:30One of these four sermons applies to you.40:32-40:37So whichever it is, go after it with the reverence and with the sacredness that God has called you to.40:38-40:39Let's pray.40:41-40:52Father in heaven, we're asking today, Father, that your Holy Spirit be at work in our hearts.40:54-41:03When we talk about singleness and divorce and all these things, it's such an emotional subject because there are people here that have been deeply wounded by these things.41:06-41:12And we by no means, Father, wanna kick someone when they're down or rub salt on the wound.41:12-41:15We just, we wanna take an honest look at what your word has to say.41:17-41:19Father, we thank you for your grace.41:19-41:21We thank you that you are the God of miracles.41:21-41:35We thank you, God, that no matter how badly things might have gotten in marriage, whether it was able to be saved or not, God, there's always hope with you.41:35-41:37There's always healing with you.41:39-41:40That's why we come to you.41:40-41:51Father, I pray for all of us that we would take a hard look at the place you have us right now, because there's something in here for each one of us.41:55-41:59And that we would go after it, trusting you to always do what you promised.42:00-42:02We pray in Jesus' name, amen. Small Group DiscussionRead 1 Corinthians 7:8-16What was your big take-away from this passage / message?Explain 1 Cor 7:14. How is the nonChristian spouse made holy because of a Christian spouse? What does that mean?If you are married to a nonChristian who wants out of the marriage (1 Cor 7:15), how do you know when to grant their divorce (when to stop trying to save the marriage, asking for counseling, etc)?Why should you allow a nonChristian to divorce and leave a Christian (v15)? Is the believing spouse free to remarry? Why or why not? BreakoutPray for one another.

Wednesday – Matthew 5:9-12Jesus began to teach them saying:9 Blessed are the peacemakers,    for they will be called children of God.10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

I'm answering the question of whether or not mega-church pastors are biblical. I'm giving an in-depth teaching based on Jesus since He is our example for what a shepherd should look like. I will answer any questions you have on this.TIMESTAMPS:INTRO & Why I'm doing this: 00:00-08:30Jesus The Great Shepherd: 9:12Jesus' Instructions to Peter to pastor: 12:15What is a Pastor? : 19:50What a pastor should look like: 27:03Pastor vs a Sunday Sermon: 29:11Jesus did life with his disciples: 33:50Jesus preached and taught hard messages: 43:15SUMMARY 48:13SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHANNEL:https://www.youtube.com/@TheCombatChristianSUPPORT THE MINISTRY AND YOURSELVES:TRIVITA:Use my TRIVITA link to get started on your wellness journey: https://bit.ly/HealthyChristianCovenant Eyes:If you want to protect yourself and your loved ones from the dangers of p*rn, get Covenant Eyes: https://bit.ly/Restore-Covenant USE CODE RESTORE30 at checkout to get your first 30 days FREE when you use the link✅Other ways for you to support the ministry:

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12Jesus proclaims blessings in “the Beatitudes,” telling of God’s closeness and care for those in the midst of struggle… and and the call to us all to do the same, drawing near to those who yearn for peace, righteousness, and comfort in times of mourning. The post The Proximity of Blessing appeared first on Foreside Community Church.

Mk 3:7-12Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples.A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea.Hearing what he was doing,a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem,from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan,and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon.He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd,so that they would not crush him.He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseaseswere pressing upon him to touch him.And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before himand shout, “You are the Son of God.”He warned them sternly not to make him known.

A fervent PrayerJohn 17:5-12Jesus was fervently praying for his disciples. He knew that the religious world hated him, and they also would hate his disciples. He prayed fervently that his disciples would have the same oneness with God as he did. He fervently prayed that he would not lose any of his disciples to the world. His prayers were answered. We have a copy of the works of the apostles. Glory to his name. Thank you, Jesus, for praying for us.

Beware of Fungus Among UsWhen the child of GodLooks into the word of GodAnd sees the Son of GodThey are transformed by the Spirit of GodInto the image of GodFor the glory of God-Warren WiersbeCriswell looked at the older man and said, “Yes, brother, I agree. I think we as Christians should confess our shortcomings and sins to one another. Could we start with you?”Today we are going to see Jesus warn His disciples to avoid the false teaching and false lifestyle of both extremes – legalism and liberalism.Matthew 16:1-12The folly of asking THE sign for a sign - V. 1They disagreed fiercely with each other, but something had brought these fierce rivals together – hatred for Jesus. It still happens today!In their rejection of Jesus, they made the same mistake proud and unbelieving sinners still make – they put Jesus on trial, not realizing He is the very Judge we must all give an account to. If they didn't repent, there would remain on the path to Hell.The foolishness of rejecting THE sign all other signs point to - V. 2-4Red sky at night, sailor's delight; red sky in morning, sailor's take warning!Jesus' life, teaching and miracles were convincing signs of the times - that God's Kingdom had come among them, just as John the Baptist and He had proclaimed. Yet they would not repent and turn to Him in faith.Jesus saying they were adulterers means they were spiritual adulterers, they were not faithful to the very God who had said He would send the Messiah. Messiah was walking among them, and they rejected Him, preferring the idols they had set up. Idolatry is spiritual adultery.Jesus Himself was the only sign they needed, and the proof would be His resurrection from the dead. To gain eternal life, we need to embrace Jesus by faith and the miracle of His resurrection. “If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.” - Luke 16:30The importance of thinking about the right kind of food - V. 5-12Jesus wanted them to think of spiritual things first instead of just focusing on where their next meal would come from.Leaven usually represents evil in the Bible. A little evil mixed into teaching will bring a whole lump of problems! The Pharisees leaven brought about a whole lot of legalistic attitudes and actions. The Sadducees leaven brought about a whole lot of liberal attitudes and actions.Jesus was switching them from thinking about physical needs to thinking about spiritual truths. But they did what some of us are doing right now – they tuned spiritual matters out and focused on lunch.They wanted to have their physical needs met, which Jesus had shown was no problem for Him. But first He wanted them to focus on spiritual things! They had the same lack of understanding and hard hearts we often do today. So stop focusing on physical lunch and get your spiritual meal!Don't add unnecessary commands & expectations to God's people like the Pharisees did with their legalism. But also don't reject God's word like the Sadducees did, leading them to compromise and live carnally. “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” - John 4:24If we worship in spirit without truth we can wind up sinning by ‘loose living' like so many today who refuse to call anything sin. If we worship in truth without spirit we can wind up sinning with a ‘legalism' like so many today who show little love as they judge others harshly.He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? - Micah 6:8

Wir wissen nicht, was wir tun sollen, sondern unsere Augen sehen nach dir.2.Chronik 20,12Jesus sprach zu den zweiundsiebzig Jüngern: Wenn ihr in ein Haus kommt, sprecht zuerst: Friede sei diesem Hause!Lukas 10,2.5Gisela Wichern

Das Losungswort und der Lehrtext der Herrnhuter Brüdergemeine:Wir wissen nicht, was wir tun sollen, sondern unsere Augen sehen nach dir.2. Chronik 20,12Jesus sprach zu den zweiundsiebzig Jüngern: Wenn ihr in ein Haus kommt, sprecht zuerst: Friede sei diesem Hause!Lukas 10,2.5Titel der Andacht: "Frieden von Gott"Nachzulesen in nah-am-leben.de

Mark 10:1-12Jesus' Teaching on Marriage & DivorcePastor Matt Moran 

This month's theme is LIGHT!John 8:12Jesus spoke to them saying, “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”(RSV2CE Translation)***“Memorize Scripture” Book NOW AVAILABLE!Get 10% off!Link to Order:https://avemariapress.com/?ref=JACKIE10PROMO CODE: JACKIE10****PATREON: For downloadable and printable PDFs of each scripture verse, support us on Patreon at Patreon.com/JackieandBobby at the $5/month level!

Today's 11th chapter in John's Gospel has that wonderful account of the raising of Lazarus. The ministry of Jesus, covering about 3 ½ years, is now approaching its' climax.  The authorities are intensifying their efforts to arrest and kill him and Jesus and his disciples are staying out of Judea.On getting news about Lazarus' sickness Jesus waits 2 days longer before saying to the disciples, ““Let us go to Judea again'.  The disciples said to him, ‘Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you and are you going there again?''” [v.7,8]  Jesus makes a strange answer, “If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world” [v.9]  This world!?  This world is in spiritual darkness and the one who walks “in the night” says Jesus, “stumbles because the light is not in him” [v.10]  Are you in danger of stumbling?  Is the “light” in you?  What does Jesus mean?  In ch, 12 we will read, “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” [v.46]  Remember also what we read in ch. 8 v.12Jesus tells his disciples, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe..  But let us go to him” [v.15]   We then have the well-known account of the remarkable raising of Lazarus after he had been dead for 4 days; and, as a result, “many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did believed in him.”[v.45]   The Pharisees were told of this incredible miracle and the affect it had had; they became even more determined to put him to death – they saw his popularity as a threat that would “take away both our place and our nation.” [v.48]Now consider, over the last 96 years a modern miracle has occurred, it is 103 years since Jerusalem and the land of Israel was delivered from the control of the Turks, the Muslims – and 72 years ago the U.N. voted in favour of at least part of the promised land becoming a Jewish nation, but the U.N. had no powers to enforce their decision: however, against overwhelming odds the Jews triumphed! It was the resurrection miracle of a nation, destroyed 1,878 years preciously,  which God's word had foretold. (Luke 21 v.24  Romans 11 v.25)This modern resurrection miracle has occurred as prophesied “that you may be believe”  that is, those who read and really know God's word. May you be among them?  Do you really see “the light of the world” with the eyes of true faith – for as this world plunges into deeper darkness – only those with genuine faith will endure.

+ Holy Gospel according to Saint Matthew 23: 1 – 12Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens (hard to carry) and lay them on people's shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.' As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.' You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called 'Master'; you have but one master, the Messiah. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."The Gospel of The Lord

Mt 23:1-12Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,"The scribes and the Phariseeshave taken their seat on the chair of Moses.Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,but do not follow their example.For they preach but they do not practice.They tie up heavy burdens hard to carryand lay them on people's shoulders,but they will not lift a finger to move them.All their works are performed to be seen.They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues,greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.'As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.'You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers.Call no one on earth your father;you have but one Father in heaven.Do not be called 'Master';you have but one master, the Christ.The greatest among you must be your servant.Whoever exalts himself will be humbled;but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

Thursday of the First Week in LentMatthew 7:7-12Jesus said to his disciples:"Ask and it will be given to you;seek and you will find;knock and the door will be opened to you.For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds;and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."

Mt 7:7-12Jesus said to his disciples:"Ask and it will be given to you;seek and you will find;knock and the door will be opened to you.For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds;and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.Which one of you would hand his son a stonewhen he asked for a loaf of bread,or a snake when he asked for a fish?If you then, who are wicked,know how to give good gifts to your children,how much more will your heavenly Father give good thingsto those who ask him."Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.This is the law and the prophets."

Mk 10:1-12Jesus came into the district of Judea and across the Jordan.Again crowds gathered around him and, as was his custom,he again taught them.The Pharisees approached him and asked,""Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?""They were testing him.He said to them in reply, ""What did Moses command you?""They replied,""Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorceand dismiss her.""But Jesus told them,""Because of the hardness of your heartshe wrote you this commandment.But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.For this reason a man shall leave his father and motherand be joined to his wife,and the two shall become one flesh.So they are no longer two but one flesh.Therefore what God has joined together,no human being must separate.""In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this.He said to them,“Whoever divorces his wife and marries anothercommits adultery against her;and if she divorces her husband and marries another,she commits adultery.”

Read OnlineThe Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.”  Mark 8:11–12Jesus had performed many miracles. He healed the sick, restored sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf and fed thousands with only a few fish and loaves of bread. But even after all of that, the Pharisees came to argue with Jesus and demanded a sign from Heaven.The response of Jesus is quite unique. “He sighed from the depth of his spirit…” This sigh was an expression of His holy sorrow over the hardness of hearts of the Pharisees. If they had the eyes of faith, they would have no need for yet another miracle. And if Jesus would have performed a “sign from heaven” for them, even that would not have helped them. And so Jesus does the only thing He can—He sighed.At times, this type of reaction is the only good one. We may all face situations in life where others confront us with harshness and stubbornness. When this happens, we will be tempted to argue with them, condemn them, try to convince them we are right, and the like. But sometimes one of the holiest reactions we can have to the hardness of the heart of another is to experience a deep and holy sorrow. We must also “sigh” from the depths of our spirits.When one is hard of heart, rational talking and arguing will prove to be of little avail. Hardness of heart is also what we traditionally call the “sin against the Holy Spirit.” It's a sin of obstinacy and stubbornness. In that case, there is little or no openness to the truth. When you experience this in the life of another, silence and a sorrowful heart are often the best reaction. Their hearts need to be softened and your deep sorrow, shared with compassion, may be one of the only responses that can help make a difference.Reflect, today, upon any person in your life with whom you regularly argue, especially regarding matters of faith. Examine your approach and consider changing how you relate to them. Dismiss their irrational arguments and let them see your heart in the same way that Jesus allowed His divine heart to shine forth in a holy sigh. Pray for them, have hope, and allow your sorrow to help melt the most stubborn of hearts.My compassionate Jesus, Your heart was filled with the deepest compassion for the Pharisees. That compassion led You to express a holy sorrow over their stubbornness. Give me Your same heart, dear Lord, and help me to grieve not only over the sins of others, but also over my own sins, especially when I am stubborn of heart. Melt my heart, dear Lord, and help me to also be an instrument of Your holy sorrow to those in need of this grace. Jesus, I trust in You.  Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2025 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.Jacob Jordaens, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary TimeMk 3:7-12Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples.A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea.Hearing what he was doing,a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem,from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan,and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon.

+ Holy Gospel according to St. Mark 3: 7 – 12Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples. A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea. Hearing what he was doing, a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan, and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon. He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, so that they would not crush him. He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases were pressing upon him to touch him. And whenever unclean spirits saw him they would fall down before him and shout, "You are the Son of God.” He warned them sternly not to make him known.The Gospel of the Lord

December 21, 2024Today's Reading: John 20:24-29Daily Lectionary: Isaiah 42:1-25; Revelation 9:1-12Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” (John 20:21)In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. We call Thomas by his nickname even though it's never in the Bible at all. This story isn't walking-through-a-wall-risen-from-the-dead-peace-giving-Jesus. This is doubting Thomas. Except it's not just Christian shorthand that describes the Bible story. We say more than we really mean to. We say Thomas' sins were died for on the cross. Forgiven… but not forgotten. Forgiven… but he should be remembered for all eternity by his sin of wanting to boop the Lord. Forgiven… but… not really. Then we take this fun new idea out with us and talk about each other the same way because talking about forgiveness is all well and good, but we still remember. Whatever else happens for the rest of their life, we know them by their weakest moment. That is an interesting take from the text that literally gives us the Absolution of sins.  What if this story isn't about one guy who expresses doubt in his weakness and is marked for the rest of us as a warning of what happens when we accidentally confess to being sinners, too? What if it's about Jesus? What if it's about a God who loves us so much that after dying for all of these sins we carry around, all of the labels we wear, all of the scars we bear, He rises from the dead to show that they really are brought to nothing? What if this same Jesus actually loved sinners enough to show up not for the worthy but for sinners and doubters? What if He said stuff like, “Peace be with you?” Jesus didn't show up to guilt trip Thomas but to give the peace Thomas was so desperate for.The marks on Christ's hands are not just the proof of His love and forgiveness and peace. They are Christ's burdens to bear. Those scars Jesus bears for you are the scars of all of your sins that He bled for, paid for, and died for. He still has those scars because He doesn't just take your sins from you to die on the cross and then give them back to you afterward for you to deal with. They aren't your scars to carry. He doesn't give them back. So be at peace. Stop trying to wrestle your old scars out of Jesus' hands. Jesus won't let go of them. All you get instead is peace.  This is why we speak confession. God wants you to have the very same peace He gave in that room. He sends pastors bearing it, speaking forgiveness, pointing to He who forgives sin by bearing Himself. We confess because now we hear Absolution. Peace be with you. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.That night the_apostles met in fear; Among them came their master dear And said, "My peace be with you here." Alleluia! (LSB 471:4)-Rev. Harrison Goodman, content executive for Higher Things.Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Jonathan Lackey is the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Vine Grove, KY.What makes a church "good?" Come join the fictional family as they test out eight different churches in their brand-new town and answer this question along the way. Will the Real Church Please Stand Up? by Matthew Richard, now available from Concordia Publishing House.

Bible Study and Commentary on John 17:6-12Jesus's Intercessory PrayerPraying for His disciples

Read OnlineWhen they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities, do not worry about how or what your defense will be or about what you are to say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.” Luke 12:11–12Jesus lived this Gospel passage in His own life to perfection. He was arrested, interrogated, falsely condemned and questioned by the Chief Priest, Herod and Pontius Pilate. During His interrogations, sometimes He spoke and at other times He remained silent. In preparation for these interrogations, Jesus did not study each ruler ahead of time, trying to figure out what He should say and not say. He did not prepare a defense but relied upon His perfect union with the Holy Spirit and with the Father to be led at every moment in His human nature.Though it may be unlikely that you will be arrested for your faith and put on trial for being Christian by the civil authorities, it is possible that you will experience various other forms of interrogation and condemnation at times during which you are challenged to respond. And more likely, if you are judged by another, you may be tempted to defend yourself in anger, attacking back.This Gospel passage, when clearly understood and lived, should have the effect of calming you and reassuring you during any and every experience of judgment. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that “To avoid rash judgment, everyone should be careful to interpret insofar as possible his neighbor's thoughts, words, and deeds in a favorable way” (# 2478). And though you must always strive to do this yourself, there will most likely be times when others do not act in this careful and truthful way toward you. Thus, if you are judged by another, even if what they say has truth to it, it is important that you not react with defensiveness and anger, unless the Holy Spirit has unmistakably led you to do so. The key message Jesus gives is that you must trust that the Holy Spirit will always lead you as you humbly and continually seek to follow His every prompting. This is only possible if you have built a firm habit of attentiveness to the Voice of God within your conscience.Because the experience of rash judgment, detraction, calumny and the like are painful to encounter, you must prepare your defense ahead of time by learning to only rely upon the Holy Spirit in all things. Jesus exhorts us to do so! Therefore, if you daily and humbly seek to fulfill God's will, hear His voice, and respond with generosity, then you can be certain that when the time comes and you experience these forms of judgment, you will be ready. The Holy Spirit will speak to you, inspire you, console you and give you every grace you need to respond in accord with God's will. Do not doubt this. Have faith and confidence in these words and this promise of our Lord.Reflect, today, upon the ways that you have responded in the past to the judgment of another. Try to call to mind specific moments when this has happened. Did you respond with similar judgments? Were you filled with anger? Did you brood over injury? Did you lose your peace of heart? If you have fallen into these temptations, then commit yourself in faith to believe what Jesus says today. Trust Him. Trust that He will be with you in those difficult moments in the future and pray that you will be graced to respond only as the Holy Spirit directs you.My innocent Lord, You were put on trial, judged and falsely condemned. Yet in all of that, You were the Innocent Lamb Who always loved and spoke truth with perfection. When I experience judgment in my life, please fill me with peace of heart and trust in Your promise that the Holy Spirit will be with me, inspiring me and leading me in accord with Your perfect will. Holy Spirit, I abandon myself to You now and always. Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.Featured image above: Christ in front of Pilate by Mihály Munkácsy, via Wikimedia Commons

October 3, 2024Homily: Longing for the InfiniteFr. SousaGospelLK 10:1-12Jesus appointed seventy-two other discipleswhom he sent ahead of him in pairsto every town and place he intended to visit.He said to them,“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;so ask the master of the harvestto send out laborers for his harvest.Go on your way;behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals;and greet no one along the way.Into whatever house you enter, first say,‘Peace to this household.'If a peaceful person lives there,your peace will rest on him;but if not, it will return to you.Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you,for the laborer deserves his payment.Do not move about from one house to another.Whatever town you enter and they welcome you,eat what is set before you,cure the sick in it and say to them,‘The Kingdom of God is at hand for you.'Whatever town you enter and they do not receive you,go out into the streets and say,‘The dust of your town that clings to our feet,even that we shake off against you.'Yet know this: the Kingdom of God is at hand.I tell you,it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that daythan for that town.”ST JOSEPH'S ONLINE:Web: https://www.stjmod.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stjmod/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stjmod/Giving: https://ppay.co/yohL5SoVCT8

Thursday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary TimeLK 10:1-12Jesus appointed seventy-two other discipleswhom he sent ahead of him in pairsto every town and place he intended to visit.He said to them,“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few;so ask the master of the harvestto send out laborers for his harvest."

Das Losungswort und der Lehrtext der Herrnhuter Brüdergemeine:Wenn du nun isst und satt wirst, so hüte dich, dass du nicht den HERRN vergisst.5. Mose 6,11-12Jesus sprach: Wahrlich, wahrlich, ich sage euch: Nicht Mose hat euch das Brot vom Himmel gegeben, sondern mein Vater gibt euch das wahre Brot vom Himmel.Johannes 6,32Titel der Andacht: "Der Kreislauf der Liebe"Nachzulesen in nah-am-leben.de

Here are two words you don't immediately connect together - Love and Obedience. Now, the fact is, most of us bristle a little when faced with the word Obedience. But these two words not only go together, they cannot be separated, when we're talking about God. Join Chip as he explores this important aspect of love.Main PointsQuestion: What is the relationship between love and obedience? Answer: John 14The critical conversation:Peter: "Where are you going?" Jesus' answer: John 14:1-4Thomas: "How can we know the way?" Jesus' answer: John 14:5-7Philip: "Show us the Father!"Jesus' answer: John 14:8-11Jesus' assignment: John 14:12Jesus' promise: John 14:13-14Jesus' provision: John 14:15-21Judas (not Iscariot): "How will the world not see You?"Jesus' answer: John 14:22-26Jesus: "Don't be troubled or afraid."Jesus' explanation: John 14:27-31Broadcast ResourceDownload Free MP3 Message Notes Additional Resource MentionsGospel of John Truth Cards About Chip IngramChip Ingram’s passion is helping Christians really live like Christians. As a pastor, author, and teacher for more than three decades, Chip has helped believers around the world move from spiritual spectators to healthy, authentic disciples of Jesus by living out God’s truth in their lives and relationships in transformational ways.About Living on the EdgeLiving on the Edge exists to help Christians live like Christians. Established in 1995 as the radio ministry of pastor and author Chip Ingram, God has since grown it into a global discipleship ministry. Living on the Edge provides Biblical teaching and discipleship resources that challenge and equip spiritually hungry Christians all over the world to become mature disciples of Jesus.Connect 888-333-6003 Website Chip Ingram App Instagram Facebook Twitter Partner With Us Donate Online 888-333-6003

We use the word “love” in a lot of ways. In fact, we use it so much it's kind of lost it's impact on most of us. So what is love? And more importantly, what communicates love to those around us, and to God? Chip shares the truth about love.Main PointsQuestion: What is the relationship between love and obedience? Answer: John 14The critical conversation:Peter: "Where are you going?" Jesus' answer: John 14:1-4Thomas: "How can we know the way?" Jesus' answer: John 14:5-7Philip: "Show us the Father!"Jesus' answer: John 14:8-11Jesus' assignment: John 14:12Jesus' promise: John 14:13-14Jesus' provision: John 14:15-21Judas (not Iscariot): "How will the world not see You?"Jesus' answer: John 14:22-26Jesus: "Don't be troubled or afraid."Jesus' explanation: John 14:27-31Broadcast ResourceDownload Free MP3 Message Notes Additional Resource MentionsGospel of John Truth Cards About Chip IngramChip Ingram’s passion is helping Christians really live like Christians. As a pastor, author, and teacher for more than three decades, Chip has helped believers around the world move from spiritual spectators to healthy, authentic disciples of Jesus by living out God’s truth in their lives and relationships in transformational ways.About Living on the EdgeLiving on the Edge exists to help Christians live like Christians. Established in 1995 as the radio ministry of pastor and author Chip Ingram, God has since grown it into a global discipleship ministry. Living on the Edge provides Biblical teaching and discipleship resources that challenge and equip spiritually hungry Christians all over the world to become mature disciples of Jesus.Connect 888-333-6003 Website Chip Ingram App Instagram Facebook Twitter Partner With Us Donate Online 888-333-6003

Das Losungswort und der Lehrtext der Herrnhuter Brüdergemeine:Der Tag des HERRN ist groß und voller Schrecken, wer kann ihn ertragen? Doch auch jetzt noch, spricht der HERR, kehrt um zu mir von ganzem Herzen!Joel 2,11-12Jesus predigte das Evangelium Gottes und sprach: Die Zeit ist erfüllt, und das Reich Gottes ist nahe herbeigekommen. Tut Buße und glaubt an das Evangelium!Markus 1,14-15Titel der Andacht: "Die frohe Botschaft "Nachzulesen in nah-am-leben.de

Welcome to Divine Savior ChurchSeries: 1 Peter - The Living Hope of EasterMessage: The Greatest Building, The Greatest StoryPreacher: Pastor Ben KuerthService Schedule: Sunday at 9:30am1 Peter 2:1-12Jesus purified us and made us new - God's special possession! So it doesn't make sense to keep living the way we used to. Let's live new lives, imitating Him. Loving the hard-to-love. Let's grow in our faith by continuing to be fed with his Word. Devour it! He is building us into a building – the greatest building – a spiritual building – His Church! The greatest building with the greatest story! He is the cornerstone and foundation. Our purpose is to glorify God in the world around us with our lives, our words, and our witness!Prayer Request: http://dschurch.link/praydoral Connect with us: http://dschurch.link/connectdoralMoved to give? http://dschurch.link/givedoralFor more info about our church please visit our website: https://divinesaviorchurch.com/dscdor/#divinesaviorchurch   #divinesaviorfamily   #dscdoral   #jesus   #bible   #church   #evangelicalchurch  #lutheranchurch  #lutheranchurchinmiami  #lutheranchurch    #wels   #welschurch  #churchonline   #livestream   #christianity   #hope   #faith   #love   #forgiveness   #heaven   #christianity   #lutheranchurch   #family   #changingliveswithjesus   #doral   #doralfl    #miami   #miamifl  #miamisprings  #hialeah  #kendall  #miramar  #pembrokepines  #tamiami  #sweetwater  #gospelSupport the Show.

Tuesday of the Second Week of LentMt 23:1-12Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying,"The scribes and the Phariseeshave taken their seat on the chair of Moses.Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you,but do not follow their example.For they preach but they do not practice.They tie up heavy burdens hard to carryand lay them on people's shoulders,but they will not lift a finger to move them."

CLICK HERE for the episode guide to help you connect with Scripture through this song.I've recently seen several videos online of children laying hands on siblings in prayer or praying with deep and passionate charisma. It's adorable because they are acts not normally seen in children who are more likely to swipe their friend's toy than lay hands on them in prayer. But I learned a long time ago that children are mirrors of the environment around them. When Benjamin William Hastings sings "Abandoned," he longs to mirror the complete abandon he sees in the life of Christ. As an adopted child into the family of God, I, too, want to mirror Christ's life of abandonment to the purpose and will of God. Let's explore the entire gospel of Mark together to see what acts we can emulate. In this episode, I discuss:Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week's Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include: Read and keep on readingRead in contextSet a timerStudy a topicMark up the textMeditate on ScriptureEpisode Guide DownloadBenjamin's comments on the heart behind the song - Air1 ArticleReading and interacting with the entire gospel of Mark to examine Christ's life of complete abandonThe journal I use to study whole books of the Bible - ESV Illuminated Scripture Journal: Mark - Amazon Paid LinkWanting to have the mind (and surrender) of Christ - 1 Corinthians 2:16How Jesus was yielded to God's plan completely from the beginning of His ministry - Mark 1:11-12Jesus doing the thing He came to do - Mark 1:38-39Jesus operating in the authority He had been given - Mark 2:10-11How Jesus about things/people that God cared about - Mark 2:17How Jesus' life of abandon led to rejection - Mark 6:2-3Christ's abandoned life was a life of prayer - Mark 6:46An abandoned life honors God with our lips AND our hearts and doesn't elevate tradition over the heart of God - Mark 7:6-8An abandoned life sets his/her mind on the thing of God, NOT the things of man - Mark 8:33The cross Jesus called us to bear before He surrendered to His own cross - Mark 8:34-38‌An abandoned life is content with God's timing - Mark 9:9An abandoned life is a life of servitude - Mark 9:35An abandoned life isn't a reckless life -- it still has customs - Mark 10:1An abandoned life is yielded to the truth of Scripture - Mark 11:17‌An example prayer RelationshipRehearseRequestRelinquishAdditional ResourcesLyrics - NewReleaseToday.comFavorite Bible Study Software - Logos Bible Software Affiliate LinkThis Week's ChallengeRead the gospel of Mark. Read with a highlighter and pen in hand. Don't take apart every verse, but look for the pattern of the life of Christ — a life abandoned to the will of God above all else. Then pray as Jesus did in the garden. Call on your relationship with God, rehearse his character, make your request, and relinquish your will in exchange for His. You won't regret it.Change your music. Change your life. Join my free 30-Day Music Challenge. CLICK HERE.

The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” Mark 8:11–12Jesus had performed many miracles. He healed the sick, restored sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf and fed thousands with only a few fish and loaves of bread. But even after all of that, the Pharisees came to argue with Jesus and demanded a sign from Heaven.The response of Jesus is quite unique. “He sighed from the depth of his spirit…” This sigh was an expression of His holy sorrow over the hardness of hearts of the Pharisees. If they had the eyes of faith, they would have no need for yet another miracle. And if Jesus would have performed a “sign from heaven” for them, even that would not have helped them. And so Jesus does the only thing He can—He sighed.At times, this type of reaction is the only good one. We may all face situations in life where others confront us with harshness and stubbornness. When this happens, we will be tempted to argue with them, condemn them, try to convince them we are right, and the like. But sometimes one of the holiest reactions we can have to the hardness of our heart of another is to experience a deep and holy sorrow. We must also “sigh” from the depths of our spirits.When one is hard of heart, rational talking and arguing will prove to be of little avail. Hardness of heart is also what we traditionally call the “sin against the Holy Spirit.” It's a sin of obstinacy and stubbornness. In that case, there is little or no openness to the truth. When you experience this in the life of another, silence and a sorrowful heart are often the best reaction. Their hearts need to be softened and your deep sorrow, shared with compassion, may be one of the only responses that can help make a difference. Reflect, today, upon any person in your life with whom you regularly argue, especially regarding matters of faith. Examine your approach and consider changing how you relate to them. Dismiss their irrational arguments and let them see your heart in the same way that Jesus allowed His divine heart to shine forth in a holy sigh. Pray for them, have hope, and allow your sorrow to help melt the most stubborn of hearts. My compassionate Jesus, Your heart was filled with the deepest compassion for the Pharisees. That compassion led You to express a holy sorrow over their stubbornness. Give me Your same heart, dear Lord, and help me to grieve not only over the sins of others, but also over my own sins, especially when I am stubborn of heart. Melt my heart, dear Lord, and help me to also be an instrument of Your holy sorrow to those in need of this grace. Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2024 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities, do not worry about how or what your defense will be or about what you are to say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.” Luke 12:11–12Jesus lived this Gospel passage in His own life to perfection. He was arrested, interrogated, falsely condemned and questioned by the Chief Priest, Herod and Pontius Pilate. During His interrogations, sometimes He spoke and at other times He remained silent. In preparation for these interrogations, Jesus did not study each ruler ahead of time, trying to figure out what He should say and not say. He did not prepare a defense but relied upon His perfect union with the Holy Spirit and with the Father to be led at every moment in His human nature.Though it may be unlikely that you will be arrested for your faith and put on trial for being Christian by the civil authorities, it is possible that you will experience various other forms of interrogation and condemnation at times during which you are challenged to respond. And more likely, if you are judged by another, you may be tempted to defend yourself in anger, attacking back.This Gospel passage, when clearly understood and lived, should have the effect of calming you and reassuring you during any and every experience of judgment. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that “To avoid rash judgment, everyone should be careful to interpret insofar as possible his neighbor's thoughts, words, and deeds in a favorable way” (# 2478). And though you must always strive to do this yourself, there will most likely be times when others do not act in this careful and truthful way toward you. Thus, if you are judged by another, even if what they say has truth to it, it is important that you not react with defensiveness and anger, unless the Holy Spirit has unmistakably led you to do so. The key message Jesus gives is that you must trust that the Holy Spirit will always lead you as you humbly and continually seek to follow His every prompting. This is only possible if you have built a firm habit of attentiveness to the Voice of God within your conscience.Because the experience of rash judgment, detraction, calumny and the like are painful to encounter, you must prepare your defense ahead of time by learning to only rely upon the Holy Spirit in all things. Jesus exhorts us to do so! Therefore, if you daily and humbly seek to fulfill God's will, hear His voice, and respond with generosity, then you can be certain that when the time comes and you experience these forms of judgment, you will be ready. The Holy Spirit will speak to you, inspire you, console you and give you every grace you need to respond in accord with God's will. Do not doubt this. Have faith and confidence in these words and this promise of our Lord. Reflect, today, upon the ways that you have responded in the past to the judgment of another. Try to call to mind specific moments when this has happened. Did you respond with similar judgments? Were you filled with anger? Did you brood over injury? Did you lose your peace of heart? If you have fallen into these temptations, then commit yourself in faith to believe what Jesus says today. Trust Him. Trust that He will be with you in those difficult moments in the future and pray that you will be graced to respond only as the Holy Spirit directs you. My innocent Lord, You were put on trial, judged and falsely condemned. Yet in all of that, You were the Innocent Lamb Who always loved and spoke truth with perfection. When I experience judgment in my life, please fill me with peace of heart and trust in Your promise that the Holy Spirit will be with me, inspiring me and leading me in accord with Your perfect will. Holy Spirit, I abandon myself to You now and always. Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2023 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Thursday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary TimeLk 10:1-12Jesus appointed seventy-two other disciples whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, "The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.”

Without Faith We Fail | July 9, 2023Leave us a comment and share with a friend.Are you a Guest? We would love to know you. Text CONNECT to 615-551-9800 or submit the Connect Form — https://lifept.org/guestIf you wish to give online visit https://lifept.org/give

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas' website.Mark 10:2-3, 10-12Jesus is quizzed. Where does he stand on the divorce issue?Mark indicates absolutely no exceptions!Don't read through filter of other passages (like 1 Cor or Matt). Mark was writing for a Roman audience. It is doubtful they had access to Matthew—if Matthew was even written yet—and the Jewish issues addressed in Matthew would not have been all that relevant to them.Matthew gives more information, alluding to the “any cause” divorces common in the 1st. Notice how Matthew differs from Mark 10:2-12: “I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for unchastity, and marries another commits adultery” (Matt 19:9).See a parallel in Mark 8:11-12 / Matt 12:39, where Mark indicates to exception, but Matthew does.Just as Mark doesn't give the whole story, neither does Matthew. We need to get behind the scenes. It's easy to draw incorrect conclusions if we don't realize the nature of gospel writing—abbreviation, arrangement, simplification. It won't do to just quote a passage and claim the Bible "means what it says." Rather, we need to be careful interpreters.It turns out that what appears to be both simple and absolute (Jesus' words on divorce in Mark 10) turns out to be neither absolute—there are exceptions—nor as simple as we may have thought. Back in those days, there were no law firms such as Jensen Family Law, and that is why topics such as divorces resided in grey areas.Matt 19:3-11Here's the backstory Matthew leaves out—as it would have been of little benefit to his readership.House of Shammai (50 BC – AD 30)Limited grounds for divorce to the four in Deut 24 and Exod 21.“The indecency of the matter” (the wording in Deut 24) they took to mean sexual infidelity.Their influence was waning in Jesus' day, though divorce for broken marriage vows (once the infidelity was proven in court) was still practiced up to 70 AD (when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem, along with its temple).By Jesus' day, no-fault divorce (“any cause”) was predominant. What's that?House of Hillel (110 BC – AD 10) – grandfather of Gamaliel, tutor of the apostle Paul.“Any cause” divorce. If your wife burned the dinner, or you no longer found her attractive, you can get a new one.This "no fault" divorce was often considered more righteous than Shammai's stricter ruling, since it brought less shame on the family.It was in the ascendant in Jesus' day. “Any cause” divorce was the new normal.Listen again to the question: “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause?” Is the question about legality of divorce? Of course not, since divorce is lawful—it's in the Torah. Or is the question about “divorce… for any cause”? No quote marks in original ancient languages.NET: “For any cause.” NJKV: “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?” NASB: “for any reason at all.” NIV: “for any and every reason” (helpfully paraphrased) NLT: “Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife for just any reason?” “Just any reason” shows better understanding of the ancient disagreement than does “for any cause.”Asked where he stands on divorce issue: Liberal, any-cause? or Conservative, grounds-required?Jesus agrees with Shammaites (divorce must have grounds) and repudiates Hillelites.Yet he goes farther, pleading for return to spirit of God's original plan.“Jesus used the same terminology as the Shammaites, in the same context, at the same period, and in a debate where Shammaites or their rivals the Hillelites were present. We may therefore confidently conclude that… when the Shammaites said ‘except… for a matter of indecency' in the context of this debate about ‘any matter' divorces, they meant that Deuteronomy 24:1 allows no type of divorce except that for indecency. They did not mean that Scripture allows no divorce except that for indecency—because they allowed other divorces on the grounds in Exodus 21.” (David Instone-Brewer)Also, in commenting on Deut 24, Jesus is not ruling out remarriage.He does not explicitly state that a person can remarry after divorcing someone for marital unfaithfulness. Perhaps this is because it was assumed.In 1st C Judaism, if a person divorced another person for any reason (Hillel) or only for cause (Shammai), they were allowed to remarry. Shammaites disagreed with Hillelites, but recognized their marriages as valid, even if lamentable.No 1st century Jewish group prohibited remarriage after divorce. In the Roman world, remarriage was mandatory after 18 months; not to remarry was to break the law. Thus it would be quite strange if Jesus and Paul taught against remarriage.Nor is Jesus explicitly ruling out other grounds for divorce.Keep in mind:The language of Matt 19 is compact and simplified: all grounds v. specific grounds. That is the debate—whether no-fault divorce is allowed, not whether divorce is allowed.Mark 10 and Luke (16:18) are even more compact—no exceptions at all. In the Roman (Mark) and Greek (Luke) worlds, divorce was separation. It was easy and it did not afford protection to the vulnerable. The Jewish world (Matthew) was different.The Bible is easily misunderstood if we fail to take into account the nature of biblical language, or if we don't read these texts with an understanding of the background situation.Does this make us uncomfortable: the claim we need history, geography, and language to understand the text?Goal: to understand issues like the original recipients of the Scriptures.There are significant gaps in our knowledge of ancient world. Are we surprised there are some things in the ancient world we don't understand?Similarly, there are gaps in the theology of the Bible.In Scripture we don't have a developed theology of the afterlife, or the communion meal, or how often Christians assembled. The Bible has nothing directly to say about marijuana.And there's no comprehensive doctrine of marriage, divorce, and remarriage—which means we have homework to do if we want to come to informed conclusions.ConclusionI'm not saying we can't understand scripture unless we are theologians, or must know the biblical languages, or that the scriptures are generally murky, or self-contradictory.Quite the contrary: We can understand them, some quite easily and quickly, but others only with serious spadework.

Watch the video to this reflection by CLICKING HEREGOSPEL- John 14: 1-12Jesus said to his disciples:"Do not let your hearts be troubled.You have faith in God; have faith also in me.In my Father's house there are many dwelling places.If there were not,would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?And if I go and prepare a place for you,I will come back again and take you to myself,so that where I am you also may be.Where I am going you know the way."Thomas said to him,"Master, we do not know where you are going;how can we know the way?"Jesus said to him, I am the way and the truth and the life.No one comes to the Father except through me.If you know me, then you will also know my Father.From now on you do know him and have seen him."Philip said to him,"Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us."Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you for so long a timeand you still do not know me, Philip?Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own.The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me,or else, believe because of the works themselves.Amen, amen, I say to you,whoever believes in me will do the works that I do,and will do greater ones than these,because I am going to the Father."

1After this Jesusrevealed himselfagain to the disciples bythe Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way.2Simon Peter,Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael ofCana in Galilee,the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together.3Simon Peter said to them, I am going fishing. They said to him, We will go with you. They went out and got into the boat, butthat night they caught nothing. 4Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciplesdid not know that it was Jesus.5Jesus said to them,Children, do you have any fish?They answered him, No.6He said to them,Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish.7That disciplewhom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, It is the Lord! When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord,he put on his outer garment, for he wasstripped for work, andthrew himself into the sea.8The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards[a]off. 9When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread.10Jesus said to them,Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.11So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn.12Jesus said to them,Come andhave breakfast.Nownone of the disciples dared ask him, Who are you? They knew it was the Lord.13Jesus came andtook the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish.14This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. Jesus and Peter 15When they hadfinished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,Simon,son of John,do you love me more than these?He said to him, Yes, Lord; you know that I love you. He said to him,Feedmy lambs.16He said to him a second time,Simon, son of John, do you love me?He said to him, Yes, Lord; you know that I love you. He said to him,Tendmy sheep.17He said to him the third time,Simon, son of John, do you love me?Peter was grieved because he said to himthe third time,Do you love me?and he said to him, Lord,you know everything; you know that I love you. Jesus said to him,Feedmy sheep.

JESUS IN THE WILD Part 5: THE POWER OF “IT IS WRITTEN”Luke 4:4, 8, 12Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.'” “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'” “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'” Jesus has been tempted. And the Word-of-God-Made-Flesh begins his answer to each temptation with a form of one, small, universe-bending statement: “It is written.” In a world full of indignation, alarm, and shock, with a social media population reacting online with anger, angst, and argument to all manner of news and offenses, we read that Jesus responded to the devil. In my imagination, Jesus was calm, he was cool, and he was unequivocally clear in those moments. In this wild, Jesus is not reacting to the temptations, the struggle, his own fears, or the attack. He is not controlled by the devil's plays or moves. Jesus has chosen to answer the devil in his own way, on his own terms.What promise or passage from the Word of God has most strengthened you in your seasons of battle in the last few years? What word have you hidden deep in your heart that is serving you in this season you are in? What word are you using to address the enemy who seeks to unseat you from your royal throne? What is your “It is written” word for this season? Grace and Peace,Stephen

Thursday of the First Week in LentMt 7:7-12Jesus said to his disciples: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."

The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.”  Mark 8:11–12Jesus had performed many miracles. He healed the sick, restored sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf and fed thousands with only a few fish and loaves of bread. But even after all of that, the Pharisees came to argue with Jesus and demanded a sign from Heaven.The response of Jesus is quite unique. “He sighed from the depth of his spirit…” This sigh was an expression of His holy sorrow over the hardness of hearts of the Pharisees. If they had the eyes of faith, they would have no need for yet another miracle. And if Jesus would have performed a “sign from heaven” for them, even that would not have helped them. And so Jesus does the only thing He can—He sighed.At times, this type of reaction is the only good one. We may all face situations in life where others confront us with harshness and stubbornness. When this happens, we will be tempted to argue with them, condemn them, try to convince them we are right, and the like. But sometimes one of the holiest reactions we can have to the hardness of our heart of another is to experience a deep and holy sorrow. We must also “sigh” from the depths of our spirits.When one is hard of heart, rational talking and arguing will prove to be of little avail. Hardness of heart is also what we traditionally call the “sin against the Holy Spirit.” It's a sin of obstinacy and stubbornness. In that case, there is little or no openness to the truth. When you experience this in the life of another, silence and a sorrowful heart are often the best reaction. Their hearts need to be softened and your deep sorrow, shared with compassion, may be one of the only responses that can help make a difference.Reflect, today, upon any person in your life with whom you regularly argue, especially regarding matters of faith. Examine your approach and consider changing how you relate to them. Dismiss their irrational arguments and let them see your heart in the same way that Jesus allowed His divine heart to shine forth in a holy sigh. Pray for them, have hope, and allow your sorrow to help melt the most stubborn of hearts.My compassionate Jesus, Your heart was filled with the deepest compassion for the Pharisees. That compassion led You to express a holy sorrow over their stubbornness. Give me Your same heart, dear Lord, and help me to grieve not only over the sins of others, but also over my own sins, especially when I am stubborn of heart. Melt my heart, dear Lord, and help me to also be an instrument of Your holy sorrow to those in need of this grace. Jesus, I trust in You.Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2023 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Summary:Do you think that anyone can have a shepherds heart?A true shepherd does not have a position, yet has given all for the sheep.Show Notes:• One cannot shepherd God's sheep without having His heart• There is a balance that is not so easy to see without that heart• A good shepherd will lay down his life for his sheepReferences:Psalm 51A sinner's prayer for pardon.Hebrews 13:20 ESVNow may the God of peace who brought again from the dead ourLord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of theeternal covenant,John 13:4-12Jesus washes the disciples feet.Jeremiah 3:15 NLTAnd I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will guideyou with knowledge and understanding.Luke 15:4-7The Parable of the Lost Sheep.John 16:12 NKJV“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannotbear them now”.Romans 8:34 BLBWho is the one condemning? For it is Christ Jesus,the one having died, now rather having been raised up, who isalso at the right hand of God, and who is interceding for us.Quotes:• Jesus is considered our Great Shepherd• Jacob, one of the great shepherds of all time• The shepherd is responsible to find the greenest pasture for hissheepTake Away:There are few who come to know how to balance everything needed ina sheep fold, the milk for the babes, the meat for the mature, how fastto lead them so that no one lags behind, and no one is jumping way outfront. God bless those with a true shepherds heart.

God works through us most powerfully when our FEELINGS align with the FACTS of spirituality.Things that Mask (the facts)We are in a spiritual war. Ephesians 6:10-12Jesus has already won. Hebrews 10:11-14Things that Magnify (feelings). Fear is a major feeling that hinders our spirituality. Mark 4:40. Mark 5:35-36. Mark 6:50Things that MatterPreached by Jaren Singh on 8/28/22

Fr. Jim wants us to notice the importance of the opening line in today's Gospel passage. "Do not let your hearts be troubled." Or put another way Jesus says, "Do not be afraid" that I will be leaving because I will return to you.Excerpt from John 14:1-12Jesus said to his disciples:“Do not let your hearts be troubled.You have faith in God; have faith also in me.In my Father's house there are many dwelling places.If there were not,would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?And if I go and prepare a place for you,I will come back again and take you to myself,so that where I am you also may be.Where I am going you know the way.”Read the full Gospel passage: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051020.cfmGospel Study: Fr. Jim WilligGospel Narration: Fr. J Michael Sparough, SJPrimary Music: Michael KramerAdditional Music: Gettin Through It by Brent Wood licensed to Nathaniel Stubblefield via SoundstripeProducer: Nathaniel Stubblefield

Fifth Wednesday in Lent, March 30, 2022Wednesday Evening ServiceLenten Series: The Crucial Hours “They Bound Him”Sermon Text: John 18:12Jesus was bound in place of us so we are free—free to serve him and honor and love him.Pastor Ryan Heiman

Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 23, verses 1-12Jesus makes an example of who else? The Pharisees and Scribes to invite us to look at how not to act. Don't seek out lofty titles or places of honor. Want to get ahead in the Kingdom of God? Step down. Original Score written and performed by Bridget Zenk

Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 7, verses 7-12Jesus speaks to us of God's magnanimity...but also of our need to be involved in working for the Kingdom. It's not magic. God doesn't do all the work. We have to choose our level of involvement.Original score written and performed by Bridget Zenk

In our new three-week series, Found, we'll explore the depth and breath of God's love. You'll discover that you're never too far or too lost to experience his grace and forgiveness. I've accepted Jesus • https://willamette.cc/follow-christ • Let us know you made this decision, and we'll help you discover what's next! Get Baptized • https://willamette.cc/baptisms • If you have accepted Jesus but have never had the opportunity to celebrate your new life in Him through water baptism, this is your next step! Find Community • https://willamette.cc/community • Growth happens best in community. Community Life starts this week! Let us pray with you • https://willamette.cc/prayer • Fill out a quick form to let us know how we can be praying for you. Sermon Notes - September 12th, 2021Found Son - Dayne ScanlonGod has reconciled himself to us through Jesus. But receiving that gift means living a life of reconciliation. Luke 15:1-2 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Luke 15:11-12Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. Luke 15:13-16“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country, and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. Luke 15:13-16So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. Luke 15:17-19“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. Luke 15:17-19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.' Luke 15:20-24So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Luke 15:20-24“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. Luke 15:20-24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.Luke 15:25-30“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,' he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' Luke 15:25-30“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. Luke 15:25-30But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!' When our identity is rooted in our works, its impossible to celebrate God's grace for others. We're all in need of the father. Do you have the heart of the father?2 Corinthians 5:17-18Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 2 Corinthians 5:20We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. Reconcile yourself to God. Become an active reconciler. Luke 15:31-32“‘My son,' the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'”

Teaching NotesIn one short week we move from the crowd shouting“Hosanna” “Crucify Him”The Last Week of Jesus' life on Earth Sunday The Triumphal Entry“Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?' say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.'” Mark 11:2-3Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9 Jesus fulfilled 351 prophecies. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,“Hosanna!”“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”“Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”Mark 11:8-10The word “Hosanna” means “to save, to rescue”. They saw Jesus as the one who would save Israel from the Roman rule and restore them to dignity and political as a people. But Jesus came to save them for something bigger, way bigger. He wants to give them eternal life. He wants to remove the death penalty that hangs over every human. How is he going to do it? By dying for them…even though they don't know this yet. Monday Jesus clears the temple of money changers On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.'Mark 11:15-17 The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.Mark 11:18TuesdayJesus' authority questioned Jesus told a parable that exposed the Pharisees Then the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders looked for a way to arrest him because they knew he had spoken the parable against them. But they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went away.Mark 12:12Jesus is challenged on paying taxes to CaesarLater they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren't swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?Mark 12:13-14Jesus is challenged on the resurrection and marriageJesus replied, “Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God? When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.Mark 12:24-25And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.Mark 12:34 Wednesday Judas' decision to betray JesusThen Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.Mark 14:10-11 ApplicationCan you handle the truth? Sunday Set ListWFC Lenexa/OnlineForever Free- Westside WorshipWhat A Beautiful Name- Hillsong WorshipThere Is A King- Elevation WorshipIt is Well- Bethel MusicWFC SpeedwayRaise A Hallelujah- Bethel MusicO The Blood- Mitch LangleyMove Your Heart- Maverick City Jesus Is Our King- The Collective KCBe sure to save our Spotify Worship Playlist, updated weekly with the upcoming Sunday's set! Watching Group Content + DiscussionFind weekly watching group content here.What stood out to you from today's viewing?How would you summarize these chapters in a sentence or two?What did you learn about Jesus in these chapters?What did you learn about people/humanity in these chapters?What is God asking you to do, be, embrace, change and/or believe from these chapters?