Podcasts about in matthew

Do you need a miracle? In Matthew 8, Jesus meets people in their deepest places of need and demonstrates His authority over sickness, brokenness and darkness. Through these encounters, we see that faith is not about having all the answers— it's about trusting the One who does. No matter what you are facing, Jesus invites you to come to Him with humility, bold faith and full surrender. He is still the Great Physician, the Prince of Peace and the One who makes all things new. If the tomb is empty, anything is possible.

Scripture calls us to fix our eyes on Jesus—not people—because He alone is perfect and unchanging. This devotional reminds us that when our faith is rooted in Christ, it remains steady even when others fall short. Highlights Focus Matters: Faith falters when placed in people instead of Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). Human Leaders Fall: Even trusted spiritual leaders are imperfect and can fail. Follow Christ Alone: We are called to follow Jesus, not build our faith around individuals (Matthew 4:19). Guard Your Heart: Hiding God’s Word in our hearts protects us from stumbling (Psalm 119:11). Discernment is Key: Jesus calls us to recognize truth by the fruit people produce (Matthew 7:16-20). Unshakable Foundation: A faith rooted in God remains steady despite circumstances (Hebrews 12:28). Intersecting Faith & Life When leaders fall, it can feel disorienting and discouraging. But these moments are an opportunity to realign our focus. Jesus is the only perfect example, the only Savior who endured the cross, and the only one worthy of our complete trust. This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. If you are struggling with debt call Trinity today. Trinity's counselors have the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org TrinityCredit – Call us at 1-800-793-8548. Whether we're helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments. https://trinitycredit.org Full Transcript Below: Keep Keeping Your Eyes on Jesus By Lynette Kittle Bible Reading: “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” - Hebrews 12:2 Recent and ongoing scandals involving pastors, churches, and ministries—leaders who fail and fall short in their service and devotion to God—have been devastating for many believers in Jesus Christ. This is especially true for those who closely followed these leaders, hanging on their every word, listening, trusting, and at times valuing what they said as more important than the Word of God itself. The exposure of immorality, misconduct, dishonesty, and deception takes a terrible toll on those who once placed unwavering faith in these men and women who positioned themselves as spokespersons for God. When these leaders’ sinful activities are uncovered, it rattles some followers to their spiritual cores. Faith begins to stumble when it has been placed more in people than in God. In many cases, it reveals that instead of focusing on the Lord, their eyes, ears, and attention were centered on the leaders they admired. Yet none of those leaders suffered and endured the cross or experienced separation from God on our behalf. When tempted, they were not willing to lay down their human desires and sinful impulses, much less their lives, for us. Called to Be Fishermen, Not Establish Our Own Kingdoms God never intended for us to be followers of men. We are called to be fishers of people, but followers of Christ alone. As Matthew 4:19 records: “‘Come, follow Me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’” He calls us to follow Him and to hide His Word in our hearts. When we do, it protects our hearts and minds from stumbling. It guards us against falling into unbelief because of another person’s sin. Psalm 119:11 reminds us of this safeguard: “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” The Apostle Paul further explains in 2 Corinthians 3:3 how God writes His Word on our hearts when we yield to Him: “You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” When we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, we do not collapse like a line of dominoes when trusted spiritual leaders fail. Our hearts may grieve over their sin, but our faith remains steady. Hebrews 12:28 reminds us that when our focus is on God, we stand on an unshakable foundation: “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.” Jesus warned us to remain watchful. In Matthew 7:15, He cautions: “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” He also assures us that we can discern the difference between genuine followers and deceivers. As He explains in Matthew 7:16-20: “By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” Intersecting Faith & Life: Have you been devastated by a spiritual leader’s sin? Has your faith been shaken by their failings? If so, ask God to help redirect your focus on Him and fix your eyes on Jesus. Further Reading: Fix Your Eyes on Jesus Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

It's Friday, March 20th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Adam McManus Communist Cuban officials detain 16-year-old protestor Protests in Morón, Cuba, erupted the night of March 13 and lasted through the next day in response to a week of blackouts and shortages of medical and food supplies, reports International Christian Concern. Protestors ransacked and set fire to the Cuban Communist Party's headquarters. Among those arrested on March 16 were Evangelical Pastor Elier Ávila and his son, Jonathan. Though the pastor is now free, his 16-year-old son is still behind bars. While his son was accused of participating in the vandalism, some suggest that Cuban officials painted many of the law-abiding protestors of criminal mischief. Anna Stangl, the Director of Advocacy for Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said, “The detention of a 16-year-old child, with a serious medical condition, simply because he attempted to exercise his freedom of expression, is unconscionable.   “Despite the gravity of the situation on the island–with rampant hunger, scarcity of medicine, outbreaks of disease, and the failure of the power grid, the answer of President Miguel Canel, and the Cuban Communist Party, is to round up and imprison those who dare to call for change.”  Please send a 2-3 sentence letter to Ambassador Lianys Rivera urging Cuba to release Pastor Elier Ávila's son, Jonathan. Invite your children to send a letter as well. The address at the Cuban Embassy is 2630 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009. Trump's snappy rely to Japanese reporter During a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump was bold in his response to a provocative question from a Japanese reporter, according to Real Clear Politics. Listen. REPORTER: “Japan and U.S. are very good friends. But one question: Why didn't you tell U.S. allies in Europe and Asia, like Japan, about the war before attacking Iran? So, we are very confused about, we Japanese citizens.” TRUMP: “One thing, you don't want to signal too much, you know? When we go in, we went in very hard, and we didn't tell anybody about it because we wanted surprise. Who knows better about surprise than Japan? Okay? Why didn't you tell me about Pearl Harbor? (laughter) Okay? Right? “No, you believe in surprise, I think much more so than us. We had to surprise them, and we did. And because of that surprise, we knocked out, in the first two days, we probably knocked out 50 percent of what we and much more than we anticipated doing. So, if I go and tell everybody about it, there's no longer a surprise, right?” Joseph Duggar arrested for sexually abusing a minor Joseph Duggar, from the reality TV show "19 Kids and Counting," was arrested Wednesday on allegations of sexually abusing a minor during a family vacation in Panama City Beach, Florida, reports NewsNation.com. The married 31-year-old former reality star, who has three children of his own, was charged with lewd and lascivious conduct with a minor and molestation of a victim less than 12 years old. His arrest occurred years after his 38-year-old brother, Josh Duggar,  was convicted of child pornography charges. Officials say the victim identified Joseph Duggar as the abuser, saying he repeatedly asked her to sit on his lap. She said these incidents would allegedly progress into Joseph Duggar covering her with a blanket and touching her inappropriately. The victim reportedly stated that Joseph Duggar apologized for his actions, and the incidents stopped. Officials say the victim's father confronted him on Tuesday, and Joseph confessed his sins to both the father and detectives in Tonitown, Arkansas. In Matthew 18:6, Jesus said, “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” Late-term abortionist, who died, had no regrets Susan Robinson, one of America's most infamous late-term abortionists, died earlier this month, less than a year after being diagnosed with cancer, according to an Instagram post made by her fellow abortionist Shelly Sella. She wrote, “Susan was my friend and colleague in third trimester abortion …, both in Wichita and Albuquerque. Susan was drawn to abortion … by her sense of justice, which never wavered. … Together, we helped create a model of abortion.” LifeSiteNews.com reports that Shelly Sella emphasized that Susan Robinson had “no regrets” and that she was “very pleased about the whole business” before she died. Jonathon Van Maren wrote, “Reading the news about Robinson, my mind was immediately drawn to two videos I had seen her in. The first was After Tiller, a 2013 documentary featuring four late-term abortionists, which I reviewed over a decade ago. It struck me that two of the featured abortionists – Susan Robinson and Leroy Carhart – are now dead, while Warren Hern and Shelly Sella are retired.” The second was the video footage published by David Daleiden of the Center for Medical Progress in his bombshell undercover investigation exposing the abortion industry and the trafficking of baby body parts. At one point, the late Susan Robinson tells Daleiden, “The fetus is a tough little object, and taking it apart … is very difficult,” Robinson tells Daleiden at one point. “I mean, taking it apart on day one is very difficult.” Later: “You go in there, and you go, ‘Am I getting the uterus, or the fetus? Oh good, fetus. [Robinson made a stabbing sound] What have I got? Nothing. Let's try again.'” Van Maren concludes, “Translated: It is hard work to dismember and crush a baby. This was Robinson's sense of justice.” Micah 6:8 says, “[God] has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Actor Chuck Norris hospitalized And finally, Chuck Norris, the 86-year-old actor and martial arts icon, has been hospitalized in Hawaii following a medical emergency, reports NewsNation.com. The incident occurred on Wednesday on the island of Kauai, though the nature of the emergency has not been disclosed. The hospitalization appeared to be sudden. As recently as Wednesday of this week, Norris was on the phone with a friend while training on the island, cracking jokes, and showing no signs of distress. Norris had been actively training in Kauai in the days before the emergency. A black belt in karate, taekwondo, tang soo do and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Norris posted a video on his birthday, March 10, showing him sparring with a trainer. NORRIS: "I don't age. I level up." The caption read, “I'm 86 today! Nothing like some playful action on a sunny day to make you feel young. I'm grateful for another year, good health, and the chance to keep doing what I love.” Though largely retired from acting in recent years, Norris has remained active on screen. He had a cameo in “Hawaii Five-0” in 2020 and a lead role in the 2024 sci-fi action film “Agent Recon.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Friday, March 20th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

It's Tuesday, March 17th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Kevin Swanson and Timothy Reed Cuba is on verge of collapse Cuba, a communist country in the Western Hemisphere, is on the verge of collapse. Oil shipments to the island nation stopped three months ago and the nation's electric grid gave out over the weekend. Plus, the country's Gross Domestic Product, the total monetary value of all goods and services produced within a country's borders, slipped another 5% last year.  According to the United Nation's Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, communist Cuba has the worst GDP/capita in Latin America — barely reaching $1,000 per year. The worst economies in Latin America are communist Venezuela, communist Nicaragua, communist Cuba, and Haiti.  Cuba is ripest nation for spiritual revival Despite the economic doom and gloom, Cuba appears to be the ripest for spiritual revival of any nation in the world today.   The Baptists have reported a 40-fold increase in the number of churches since 1990.  One estimate puts the total number of Cuban believers at two million. That's about 20% of the population -- higher than membership in the communist party for the country. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus promised that “He would build His church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” 47% of Americans oppose the U.S.-Iranian war Americans continue to have mixed opinions about the Iran conflict. New polling averages, from Real Clear Politics, found that 44% of Americans support the war, while 47% oppose the fight.  Similarly, a Quinnipiac poll found that only 40% of Americans favor the war, with 53% in opposition. A whopping 74% of Americans are opposed to sending ground troops into the war, something the Trump administration has not ruled out.  Court allows naked men in women's spa The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has let stand a lower court ruling requiring a private spa, intended for women, to allow naked men to frequent the premises. The Washington State spa owners insisted this policy would be contrary to their Christian beliefs.  Thus far, at least five judges have filed dissents on the decision. 19% of employees at U.S. companies are foreign workers American corporations are hiring foreign workers like never before, recent numbers indicate 19.2% of their employees are foreign workers, up from 12% twenty years ago.  Another 10% of the U.S. workforce is also provided for by digital offshoring by organizations like Upwork. That makes almost a third of the U.S. workforce now provided for by foreigners. Pastor: If you're a Christian, don't live in sin with someone Megachurch pastor Josh Howerton of LakePointe Church in Dallas, Texas, challenged Christian couples to stop living in sin. HOWERTON: “The Bible is going to say things about marriage, sexuality and divorce that are very controversial to the world. My response to that is: ‘To who?' Because what the world says about marriage is controversial to Heaven. I would rather Heaven be pleased and the world say we're controversial than be applauded by the world and controversial before Heaven.” Pastor Howerton concluded his sermon with this challenge. HOWERTON: “You're living with somebody that's not your spouse. You're sleeping with somebody that's not your spouse. Or you've actually already started a family and had kids with somebody that's not your spouse. “And you, right now, are coming under the loving conviction of the Holy Spirit that you need to honor God, bend your knee to Jesus, put a ring on it, and enter into a covenant with a person that you're already acting like you're in a covenant with. “What I want you to know is we want to help you do that, because we got a little thing at Lakepoint. We say, ‘The only time we look down on people is to give them a hand up.' “So, here's what we want to do. We got a whole team of pastors. We are ready to have a mass wedding ceremony. I'm 100% serious. We got people. We're gonna walk with you, counsel you, help you, and then we're gonna get you married. We're gonna throw a big party. “And guess what? Your church family is not going to be doing. These people aren't going to be judging you. They're going to be cheering you on as you step forward into obedience to Jesus Christ.” Remarkably, following the sermon, 52 couples came forward and were married at the church a couple of weeks later. Isaiah 1:18 says, “Come now, and let us reason together, says the LORD. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.'” Tennessee bill to abolish abortion died in committee A bill before the Tennessee State legislature that would have fully banned abortion was killed in the legislature's Health Subcommittee last week, reports the Nashville Banner. The bill would have criminalized abortion and given equal protection to the unborn under the law. However, the measure was actively opposed by both pro-abortion and pro-life groups, who argued the law was too strict.  Bradley Pierce, president of the Foundation to Abolish Abortion, stated, “I don't think it's merciful to tell women that they're allowed to murder their children. To those who say that having a blanket exemption for women is merciful, do you apply that to any other area of law?”  Similar bills have been introduced, both in Democratic and Republican states, and thus far, none have passed.  Proverbs 24:11 admonishes us to “Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.” Christian apologist shares Christ on popular podcast Apologist Wes Huff clearly explained the Gospel of Jesus Christ to entrepreneur Steven Bartlett on Bartlett's “Diary of a CEO” podcast — among the top podcasts in the world. In fact, 3 million people listen per episode. BARTLETT: “If I sin in my life, do I go to hell?” HUFF:  “Here's the thing: everybody is going to hell. Everybody. The Bible is very clear. All good people go to Heaven, but Jesus said, ‘No one is good but God alone.' So, if all good people go to Heaven, and no one is good but God alone, only God is in Heaven.” BARTLETT: “Mmm.” HUFF:  “So, Christianity says you're not going to be able to do, feel or think good enough. Compared to God, you're always going to fall short. Be perfect as your Father in Heaven is perfect, is what Scripture says. That's an impossible standard. “The message of the Bible, the reason why it's called the Gospel, the Good News, is because of the bad news. The bad news is you're dead in your sins and trespasses and you can't save yourself. Jesus, as the second Person of the Trinity, steps off of His throne in eternity, comes into humanity, and He pays the penalty of the sin that you deserve.” Romans 3:23 gives us the bad news. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” And Romans 5:8 gives us the Good News. "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Oscars awarded to foul-mouthed, immoral R-rated movies And finally, the 98th Academy Award ceremonies awarded more R-rated movies with top prizes again this year. One Battle After Another, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn, took the Best Picture award — a film celebrating revolution, killing ICE agents, and murdering pro-life legislators.  It played with moral ambiguity and satire, while encouraging revolutionary activity in society. Sadly, the film, which features the most obscene word 135 times and the Lord's name used in vain 20 times, garnered six Oscars. Another R-rated movie, Sinners, collected four more Oscars. The film glorified demonism, African animism, murderers, adulterers, and hoodoo witches, while condemning Christianity for its alleged legalism and white oppression. Sinners features the Lord's name taken in vain 11 times. I John 2:15-17 says, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father, but from the world.  The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Tuesday, March 17th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

In Matthew 7, Jesus brings the Sermon on the Mount to a powerful close by confronting one of the most important questions a person can ask: How do you know if you're saved?  This message is a clear call to reject false assurance, religious performance and self-righteousness, and instead put your full trust in Jesus. Salvation is not built on what we do for God, but on what Christ has already done for us. This sermon invites us to stop building on the sinking sand of this world and stand firmly on the unshakable rock of the gospel.

Courage: The Power to Stand Out Without Fear by Pastor Brian T. Lees https://www.amazon.com/Courage-Power-Stand-Without-Fear-ebook/dp/B0F4M36X34 Stlqc.com As long as there is good and evil in our world, we will always be at war. Christians should not be afraid to admit they follow God. They should take an active stance to share the Word and to encourage others to seek and find Jesus. We gather our courage from a wide range of sources. Courage comes from within us. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the capacity to put one foot in front of the other and move forward. This book identifies courage we retain from past experiences. It encourages you to look back and learn from your accomplishments as well as your failures. Accomplishments enhance our confidence, and failures are learning lessons. Both contribute to the courage of moving forward. In Matthew 19:26, Jesus said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” This book identifies real-world situations where Christians have overcome what seemed to be impossible. It includes examples of raw courage we use every day. Some are easy, where others require us to reach out for help. From teenagers saving a town from a flood to addicts stepping up to get free, it identifies the power of raw courage. Courage enables us to do what is right at all costs. Biblical courage identifies Christians’ foundation to stand up and out. We should never be afraid to speak up, never hide our Christianity, and allow God’s grace to shine through us. For that to happen, we need to cling to our inner courage and never hesitate to use it.

In Matthew 10:11–23, Jesus sends His disciples on a mission specifically to Israel. This mission comes after the religious leaders rejected Him, and the Kingdom's offer was being postponed. At this stage, the mission does not include the Gentiles. Instead, it focuses on the "lost sheep of the house of Israel." The purpose of this mission was to identify, gather, strengthen, and prepare the believing Jewish remnant who recognized Jesus as Messiah. Jesus tells the disciples to continue proclaiming that "the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand," but the nature of the Kingdom program begins to shift. With Israel's national rejection, Jesus begins introducing what Scripture later calls the Mystery Kingdom—the present spiritual phase of the Kingdom, while the physical Messianic Kingdom is delayed. This mission comes before the Great Commission and reflects the biblical pattern of evangelism: "to the Jew first and also to the Gentile." But the mission to Israel does not end with the disciples. In this passage, Jesus gives prophecies that clearly extend far beyond their lifetime, including persecution before councils, testimony before governors and kings, family betrayal, and global hatred toward His followers. Most importantly, Jesus makes a remarkable statement: "You will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes." This shows that the mission to Israel continues through to the Second Coming. Matthew 10 connects directly with the themes later expanded in the Olivet Discourse. The proclamation of the Kingdom continues among the Jewish people until Messiah returns. This passage also exposes the fatal flaw in Replacement Theology. If God were finished with Isr

In Matthew 10:11–23, Jesus sends His disciples on a mission specifically to Israel. This mission comes after the religious leaders rejected Him, and the Kingdom's offer was being postponed. At this stage, the mission does not include the Gentiles. Instead, it focuses on the “lost sheep of the house of Israel.” The purpose of this mission was to identify, gather, strengthen, and prepare the believing Jewish remnant who recognized Jesus as Messiah. Jesus tells the disciples to continue proclaiming that “the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand,” but the nature of the Kingdom program begins to shift. With Israel's national rejection, Jesus begins introducing what Scripture later calls the Mystery Kingdom—the present spiritual phase of the Kingdom, while the physical Messianic Kingdom is delayed. This mission comes before the Great Commission and reflects the biblical pattern of evangelism: “to the Jew first and also to the Gentile.” But the mission to Israel does not end with the disciples. In this passage, Jesus gives prophecies that clearly extend far beyond their lifetime, including persecution before councils, testimony before governors and kings, family betrayal, and global hatred toward His followers. Most importantly, Jesus makes a remarkable statement: “You will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.” This shows that the mission to Israel continues through to the Second Coming. Matthew 10 connects directly with the themes later expanded in the Olivet Discourse. The proclamation of the Kingdom continues among the Jewish people until Messiah returns. This passage also exposes the fatal flaw in Replacement Theology. If God were finished with Israel, this mission would have ended long ago. Instead, Scripture shows that God still has a future plan for Israel and the believing remnant.   Hashtags #BibleTeaching #Matthew10 #Israel #BibleProphecy #EndTimes #MysteryKingdom #ReplacementTheology #Dispensationalism #JesusMessiah #SecondComing  

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. We live in a world obsessed with greatness, which is measured by success, influence, recognition, and achievement. Whether through social media, career status, or personal accomplishments, we are constantly evaluating where we stand compared to others. Like the disciples, we often ask, “Who is the greatest?” or, more personally, “How can I be great?” In Matthew 18, Jesus responds to this question in a way that challenges our assumptions. Instead of pointing to power or prestige, he places a child in their midst and says that true greatness begins with humility. In Jesus' day, children had no status, no power, and no influence. They were overlooked and dependent. Yet Jesus says that unless we “turn” and become like them, we cannot even enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3-5). In God's kingdom, greatness isn't found in climbing higher but in going lower—serving others, especially the vulnerable and overlooked. At the same time, Jesus warns that chasing worldly greatness can leave a trail of wounded people behind. True discipleship requires a radical reorientation that sees others as image-bearers and reshapes how we think, act, and relate. Ultimately, Jesus points to the cross as the clearest picture of greatness. He did not grasp for power but gave himself away in sacrificial love. To follow him is to take up our cross by laying down our crown, embracing humility, and becoming people marked by sacrificial love.

This week in our Kingdom Values series, we explore what it means to develop the mind of Christ instead of following the patterns of the world. In Matthew 5:20–48, Jesus teaches that true righteousness isn’t just about outward behavior, but a transformed heart that reflects God’s love, mercy, purity, and truth. From anger and forgiveness to integrity and loving our enemies, Jesus calls His followers to a deeper way of thinking and living. As we grow in the mind of Christ, we begin to reflect the character of God in every area of our lives.

Speaker: Rob BerrethScripture: Matthew 5:21–26Episode Overview:Anger rarely begins with shouting or violence. It begins quietly in the heart—with pride, resentment, contempt, and the subtle ways we diminish others. In Matthew 5:21–26, Jesus takes the command against murder and exposes the deeper issue beneath it: unrighteous anger. He confronts the attitudes and words that fracture relationships and shows why they matter so deeply before God. Yet this passage does more than reveal the problem. It points to the hope found in Christ, who perfectly fulfilled the law and offers forgiveness and transformation. Because of Him, believers are not left trapped in bitterness but are called to actively pursue reconciliation and peace.Key Highlights:• Why Jesus connects anger, insults, and contempt with the command against murder• How the law exposes the deeper issues of pride, malice, and resentment in the heart• The difference between sinful anger and righteous anger• How conviction of sin leads to freedom when it drives us to Christ• The urgency Jesus places on reconciliation and restoring broken relationships• What it looks like to actively pursue peace with others in everyday lifeCall to Action:Take an honest look at your heart and your words. Where anger, resentment, or contempt has taken root, bring it before Christ and receive His forgiveness. Then take the step Jesus calls for—pursue reconciliation. Refuse to let bitterness grow. Seek peace quickly, humbly, and intentionally in the relationships God has placed in your life.Redeemer Church211 Northshore Dr. Bellingham, WA 98226www.redeemernw.org

In Matthew 5:7, Jesus declares, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Biblical mercy is far deeper than simple kindness. It's rooted in God's covenant character, expressed through the Hebrew words for steadfast love and deep compassion. Mercy reflects God's loyal love toward an undeserving people. Throughout the Old Testament, mercy is […]

When God uses someone to confront you of sin, He wants you to have a godly sorrow. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation. When you’re going through tough trials, remember that God comforts the downcast. In Matthew 11:28 Jesus said –Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I… The post Godly Sorrow appeared first on Calvary Chapel At The Cross.

In Matthew 18, Jesus tells a story about a man who owed a debt. What response is the right one when somebody wrongs us? This morning, we discuss the challenge that Jesus gives to His people and us today.

Jesus teaches that our words carry tremendous kingdom power, whether we realize it or not. In Matthew5:33-37, He reveals that simple, truthful speech—a genuine yes or no—can unleash God's kingdomauthority. Every word we speak is either truth that blesses and establishes God's reality, or a lie thatdistorts and rejects His design. Our speech reveals the true condition of our hearts, and when aligned withGod's truth, our words become keys to the kingdom. Rather than using elaborate oaths or manipulativelanguage, we're called to speak with kingdom authority, saying yes to things that advance God's purposesand no to things that don't.

Exploring the Connection Between Matthew 17 and the Book of Esther For BibleInTen.com – By DH – 14th March 2026 Welcome back to Bible in Ten. Today we come to Matthew 17, and in this series that leads us naturally to Book 17 of the Old Testament: Esther. And with an explanation of the overall pictorial contents of Matthew 17 provided in the previous episode, Matthew chapter 17 becomes much clearer and in this supplementary episode, we will see how Esther strengthens it as a supporting witness. Esther is not just a story about Jewish survival in Persia.  Esther is a book about the Lord hidden from open view, but still directing all things toward redemption. The book exists not mainly to magnify the Jews, but to show the unseen faithfulness of God in preserving them for the sake of His promises and ultimately for the sake of the Redeemer, the true subject of Scripture. The Esther Bible Study available on the Superior Word develops the following pictures: Ahasuerus pictures God, the ruler over the world. Vashti pictures disobedience and loss of access to the throne. Esther pictures the Gospel, especially in her mediating role before the king. Haman pictures Law, even law bringing wrath and death. Mordecai pictures Christ: hidden at first, then honored, then exalted, then clothed with authority, then writing with full power, then sending letters of peace and truth, and finally having his greatness recorded through all the realm. That makes Esther a strong support for what Matthew 17 is picturing. 1) “After six days” — the approach to kingdom rest Matthew 17 begins, “after six days.”  As was said this points toward the six-thousand-year course of man's time before the seventh-day rest, the millennial kingdom. Esther supports this by opening in a royal setting already marked by splendor, order, and throne-rule. Shushan is treated almost like a paradise-throne setting, and Ahasuerus is taken as picturing the divine throne-rule itself. So both chapters begin not with chaos, but with the king and the court already in view. 2) Christ revealed in glory before a select company On the mountain, Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James, and John. That is the hidden unveiling of the King before His glory is openly seen by all. Esther supports this pattern through hiddenness before manifestation. The whole book works by concealed identity, concealed movements, and God working in the background long before the reversal appears.  The Lord is not named openly in Esther, yet He is there, hidden, moving everything toward the appointed outcome. So Matthew 17's select-company glory scene sits very comfortably beside Esther's hidden-providence structure. 3) Moses and Elijah testify that all prior revelation converges on Christ Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus, but not as equals. They are witnesses. That fits Esther's Christ structure too. The whole book drives toward one central exalted figure: not Vashti, not Haman, not even Esther by herself, but finally Mordecai in exaltation. And Mordecai is clearly picturing Christ Jesus, the one advanced to authority by the king. So just as Matthew 17 narrows the law and prophets toward Christ, Esther narrows all of its movements toward the greatness of Mordecai, a picture of the greatness of Christ. 4) “Hear Him” and “Jesus only” This is the heart of Matthew 17. The Father says, “Hear Him,” and the disciples then see “Jesus only.” That fits Esther, because Esther repeatedly moves the reader away from outward structures and toward the one through whom life and deliverance actually come. Esther is a picture of the beautiful Gospel message, but Mordecai is the Christ figure who ends up invested with the king's authority and acting with the signet.  The signet granted to Mordecai pictures the authority of Christ. So if Matthew 17 says, in effect, “Hear Him”, Esther says in its own symbolic way: the decisive authority now rests with the Christ-figure who bears the king's signet. 5) Hidden glory must wait for resurrection-grounded disclosure Jesus tells them not to publicise the vision until after resurrection. Again, Esther supports this because Esther is a book of timed disclosure. Esther conceals her identity, Mordecai watches from outside, and the hidden plan only comes into the open at the appointed hour. The Lord is working behind the scenes and the book's whole structure depends on that hiddenness. So Matthew 17 and Esther both teach: that public revelation comes only when the right moment arrives. 6) Elijah / restoration and Israel's future turning Matthew 17 speaks of Elijah in two ways at once: John the Baptist has already fulfilled an Elijah-like role, but Jesus' wording also leaves a still-future restoration role in view. Esther also supports a future restoration by showing that the covenant people are threatened but not discarded. Esther is treated as a book of redemptive history in which the Jews are preserved because God's promises to them stand, and because the Messiah must come and return in connection with them. Esther strengthens the Matthew 17 reading that Israel is not finally cast off. God is not finished with Israel chiefly through Jesus' future-tense words about Elijah restoring all things, and then reinforced through the picture of Israel's healing and restored sonship later in the chapter.” Though threatened and with God's face hidden from open view, they are brought through to preservation, mourning, reversal, and future blessing 7) The afflicted boy and Israel's incurable condition The Matthew 17 explanation treats the afflicted boy as picturing Israel in its historical condition: wounded, unstable, and untreatable by human means. Esther strongly confirms that pattern. The Jews stand under a decree of destruction that has to be properly and purposefully dealt with. Haman, picturing Law, has issued a death-word, and the people are trapped unless royal intervention occurs. In Matthew 17 the boy is incurable by the disciples. IN Esther the Jews are doomed under an irreversible decree. In both: the people cannot heal or save themselves. 8) Christ alone intervenes to heal and deliver In Matthew 17, Jesus heals what the disciples could not. In Esther, the same pattern appears through the Mordecai-Christ picture and the Esther-Gospel mediation. Matthew 17 pictures Israel's future restoration, healing, and restored sonship through Christ. The book of Esther supports that pattern by showing that although the first decree of death cannot be revoked, a new decree can be issued through Mordecai's royal authority that brings life to the threatened people. The old word of death cannot simply be revoked, but another word can be issued which grants life. That second word comes through Esther and Mordecai, and the edict issued by Mordecai is explicitly treated as a picture of the New Covenant. Mordecai, picturing Christ, receives the signet, acts with royal authority, and sends out the saving word. Thus Esther is supportive of Matthew 17's portrayal of Messiah Himself being the one who intervenes. 9) The cross remains central IN Matthew 17 Jesus speaks of betrayal, death, and resurrection. A portion of the notes by CG on this from Esther chapter 10 bear repeating:   Haman pictures Law, but Christ actually died. It was Christ who was nailed to the cross, and so in type and picture, Christ became our Haman, our Man under Law, if you will. It is no different at all than Christ equating Himself with the serpent on the pole in John 3:14, or Paul saying that God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us.    In the death of His body, the law died with Him for all who believe. For all who don't, Law, and thus the enmity, remains. This is where the marvelous symbolism of a very misunderstood passage in the book of John is explained. It says in John 20, “Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself.” Many fanciful explanations have been made up about this, but the truth is revealed in what happened to Haman, when he was taken to be executed... they covered his face. The Law was to die. Christ died in fulfillment of the law. When He arose, the face covering was removed, and carefully folded. It was an intentional act of the Lord showing that the shame of death through Law had been removed for those who trust in Him. The people of Israel, the Jews, even to this day, celebrate Purim, and yet they are celebrating the exact opposite of what they think they are celebrating. They curse Haman, stamp their feet, and howl wildly as his name is read, and yet, he simply pictures Law that they are still under. Until they come to Christ, Haman will continue to come after them to destroy, to be killed, and to be annihilated because of the ministry of death, meaning Law (2 Corinthians 3:7). Why do the Jews celebrate Purim? It is because of what pur signifies. It is a lot, a broken piece, and thus Purim, the plural of pur, signifies broken pieces. Pur means “to break,” “frustrate,” “make ineffectual,” “annul,” “bring to naught.” This is what Christ has done concerning our covenant with death according to Paul – For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.   19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” 20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 The Jews cling to the law, but it is Christ who has defeated that enemy. The law is annulled in Christ. This is the message of Purim.   Life Application  There is also a striking present-day echo. In 2026, Purim began on the evening of March 2nd just 2 days after Israel was again in direct conflict with Iran. Just as Haman was also not himself Persian (he was Amalekite who gained influence at the heart of the palace and used imperial power against God's people).  In a similar way,  The Islamic Republic of Iran's rulers are militant usurpers who seized control of the land of Persia in 1979 and have held the nation in bondage ever since. Even the recent reports and speculation about Israeli intelligence using covert medical cover—dentists, hidden tracking, to coordinate a sudden destruction on the Supreme Leader —carry an Esther-like atmosphere.    Just for fun check out the link to a stop motion lego video about this by “Stop Motion Sam”! The deeper parallel is the same: the enemy appears secure, the plot seems advanced, yet unseen movements are already in motion, and when the appointed moment comes, the reversal is sudden.

What does the coronation of Jesus look like? In Matthew 3–4 we see a royal moment unlike any earthly ceremony. Instead of crowns, robes, and thrones, Jesus is baptized in the Jordan River, anointed by the Spirit, affirmed by the voice of the Father, and then led into the wilderness to face temptation. This strange “coronation” reveals the kind of king Jesus truly is.Drawing on the story of David's anointing and Israel's history, this message explores how Jesus is publicly set apart as the Messiah and tested in the wilderness before beginning his mission. The King who will rule over all first descends into humility, suffering, and obedience. His power is inseparable from his love, and his reign is not distant but personal—offering hope and assurance to his people in every circumstance of life.

It's one thing to thank God before a meal. It's another thing entirely to thank Him before sending off a tax payment. For many Christians, taxes are rarely associated with gratitude. They often feel like a burden—an interruption to our financial plans or resources we'd rather use elsewhere. But Scripture invites us to view taxes through a very different lens. Instead of seeing them merely as a loss, believers can see them as a reminder of God's provision and His sovereignty, and as an opportunity to live with integrity. Why Taxes Stir Frustration Few topics unite people quite like a shared dislike of paying taxes. It's easy to think, if I could just keep that money, I could do something better with it. And when government policies conflict with our convictions—or headlines highlight waste or corruption—resentment can grow even stronger. Yet Scripture calls us to approach the issue differently. Instead of responding with frustration alone, the Bible encourages gratitude, humility, and trust in God's sovereign rule. In Matthew 22:17, the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus with a political question: “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” Jesus responded by asking for a coin and pointing to the image stamped on it. His reply has echoed through history: “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.” (Matthew 22:21) This answer was remarkable. Taxes under Rome were deeply unpopular. Rome was an occupying force, and tax revenue helped sustain a system that oppressed God's people. Yet Jesus did not call for revolt or avoidance. Instead, He acknowledged that paying taxes fits within God's ordering of society while making it clear that our ultimate allegiance belongs to God. Coins may bear Caesar's image, but our lives bear God's image—and they belong fully to Him. Trusting God's Sovereignty The apostle Paul reinforced this principle in Romans 13:6–7, writing during the reign of Nero—hardly a model of righteous leadership: “Because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God… Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” Notice what Paul does not say. He doesn't ground obedience in the goodness of government. Instead, he points to the sovereignty of God. Paying taxes, then, is not primarily an expression of confidence in a human system. It is a recognition that God ultimately rules over nations, leaders, and history itself. Taxes Reveal God's Provision There is another perspective on taxes that believers often overlook. Before you pay a single dollar in taxes, something has already happened: God has provided. A mentor of mine, Ron Blue, often says around tax time, “Taxes represent God's provision.” If God had not provided income, there would be no taxes to pay. Think about it. Taxes imply that: Work was available. Income was earned. Needs were met. Daily bread was provided. In other words, taxes—uncomfortable as they may feel—are evidence that God has supplied what we need. Gratitude allows us to see provision before we see loss. Instead of asking only, How much am I paying? We can ask, What does this reveal about God's faithfulness? Integrity in a Culture of Loopholes This perspective also shapes how Christians respond during tax season. In a world full of shortcuts, loopholes, and justifications, believers are called to something different: integrity. Honesty in financial matters—especially the ones no one else sees—forms Christlike character. Filing accurately, reporting honestly, and paying what is owed becomes an act of discipleship. It's a quiet but powerful testimony of a life shaped by trust in God rather than self-protection. Turning Taxes into a Spiritual Discipline Finally, paying taxes can even become a spiritual discipline. Each time you write that check or submit that payment, let it prompt you to pray. Pray that God would guide leaders with wisdom, justice, and humility. Pray for policies that protect the vulnerable and promote the common good. Pray for leaders who recognize their need for God's guidance. You may disagree with those leaders. You may even oppose their policies. But Scripture reminds us they are still people made in God's image—people who need God's help just like the rest of us. In a culture eager to complain, believers have the opportunity to respond differently. When tax season arrives: Remember the Owner: God owns everything, including the income from which taxes are paid (Psalm 24:1). Recognize the Provider: Taxes remind us that God has provided resources in the first place. Respond with Integrity: Honesty reflects a heart that seeks to honor Christ. Reframe with Gratitude: Thank God for His provision rather than focusing only on what is owed. Respond with Prayer: Let taxes prompt intercession for leaders and systems of government. When viewed through the lens of Scripture, even something as mundane—and often frustrating—as taxes can remind us of deeper truths: God provides, God rules, and God calls His people to live with gratitude and integrity. Go Deeper: Our Ultimate Treasure If you'd like to explore these themes of stewardship, gratitude, and God's ownership more deeply, consider reading Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Devotional to Faithful Stewardship. This devotional walks through the biblical foundations of money and stewardship, helping readers see that financial decisions are ultimately spiritual decisions. Over 21 days, you'll discover how Scripture reshapes the way we think about earning, spending, saving, giving—and even paying taxes. You can learn more or order your copy at FaithFi.com/Shop. On Today's Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions: I've inherited about $100,000 and don't know how to invest it. I'm 75, retired, debt-free, and living on a pension and Social Security. What are some safe options—like CDs or high-yield savings—that still give me access to the money if needed? My husband and I are separated. He's retired and receiving Social Security and a pension, while I'm still working. Can I claim spousal Social Security benefits on his record while we're separated, and would that reduce his benefit? I'm 56 and have about $310,000 in an old 401(k) and $268,000 in my current one. With market volatility, I'm considering moving the old account into a 10-year fixed annuity for safety. Is that a wise move? Resources Mentioned: Faithful Steward: FaithFi's Quarterly Magazine (Become a FaithFi Partner) Christian Community Credit Union | AdelFi Our Ultimate Treasure: A 21-Day Journey to Faithful Stewardship Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) FaithFi App Remember, you can call in to ask your questions every workday at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on Moody Radio Network and American Family Radio. You can also visit FaithFi.com to connect with our online community and partner with us as we help more people live as faithful stewards of God's resources. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jesus challenges His followers to choose humility over pride and character over cultural prestige. In Matthew 18, He shows that real greatness is found in humility, protecting others, and pursuing restoration in relationships. Watch the message and join the conversation. Subscribe and comment.

Today's passage is one of the "See For Yourself" passages Chapter 6 of Start Strong: A New Believer's Guide to Christianity. In Matthew 10:40–42, Jesus makes a startling connection: the way we welcome His people reveals the way we welcome Him and, ultimately, the God who sent Him. This episode clarifies what it means to “receive” Jesus in Scripture, showing that it's not a passive feeling but an active choice to accept, listen, and embrace His messengers and message. In this week's episode, we explore:What “receive” means in the Bible and why it implies deliberate welcome rather than passive contactHow receiving Jesus' disciples reflects receiving Jesus Himself (and the Father who sent Him)What it means to receive a prophet “in the name of a prophet” Why Jesus links “reward” to salvation and mercyWhy Jesus calls His disciples “little ones,” and how humility and dependence shape true faithHow welcoming a disciple with something as small as a cup of cold water carries eternal significanceWhat your response to Scripture (the apostles' words) and to fellow believers reveals about your heart toward GodAfter listening, you'll have a clearer, more biblical understanding of what it means to “receive” Jesus and why faith shows up in concrete, everyday welcomes. Series: Start Strong: A New Believer's PodcastGive more than an invitation this Easter; give a guide to the Christian faith.Start Strong: A New Believer's Guide to Christianity is available wherever books are sold. 

This week, I'm reflecting with the team on my experience witnessing Jackie and Jordan practice obedience during the Blameless concert weekend that took place in February. We're talking about what it means to fix our gaze on Jesus when fear, doubt, and uncertainty can cause a hesitation to obey. In Matthew 14, we see Peter walk on water only while his eyes are fixed on Jesus, but the moment he focuses on the wind and the waves, he begins to sink. And honestly, it's the same way for so many of us when it comes to trusting God. But Jesus is so kind. When Peter began to sink, he called out to Jesus, and Jesus reached for him. And He does the same for us.Join the conversation as we explore what it looks like to trust God in the midst of fear. We discuss the tension of wanting to believe the Lord is faithful while battling uncertainty, and how faith is often not the absence of fear, but the practice of fixing our gaze on God in everything we do, until we see our complete assignment through to the end.This episode is for anyone who feels like they've been sinking under the weight of anxiety, doubt, or fear and it's keeping you from saying Yes to the Lord. I pray this reminds you that He is not distant in our struggle. He is near, steady, and faithful.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What does the Holy Spirit actually do in the life of a believer? In this message, we explore how Jesus was both filled with and led by the Holy Spirit, and why every Christian needs the same empowerment today. From the moment Jesus was baptized in Matthew 3, the Trinity is revealed—the Father speaks, the Son is baptized, and the Holy Spirit descends. But it doesn't stop there. In Matthew 4, Jesus is led by the Holy Spirit, showing us the model for how believers should live. In this sermon, we unpack the role, names, and functions of the Holy Spirit, why the Holy Spirit baptism brings power for service, and how believers can be filled and refilled just like the early church in Acts. You'll also learn practical ways to seek, depend on, and expect the Holy Spirit to move in your daily life. When you create an atmosphere of expectation, miracles happen.

Everyone is good at something. This natural talent is a God-given gift, but what are we supposed to do with it? In Matthew's gospel, Jesus answers this question plainly using the story about the landowner and the talents. What can we learn from each servant's decision? To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1141/29?v=20251111

You can either reject the Son and lose the kingdom; or, receive Him and steward it. SUMMARY (for Podcast sermon description): We all carry various responsibilities: jobs, families, church—the list goes on and on. In Matthew 21:33-46, Jesus teaches us something about kingdom responsibility. The Parable of the Tenants, from one angle, is a parable about the religious leaders rejecting Jesus, the Son of God. From another angle, it's a parable about kingdom responsibility or stewardship. It's a parable that forces non-Christians to ask: 'What do I make of Jesus?' and Christians to ask: 'What do I make of my life—how am I stewarding the kingdom responsibility that's been given to me?' You can either reject the Son and lose the kingdom; or, receive Him and steward it. There really isn't an in-between.

Hi, I'm John Sorensen, President of Evangelism Explosion International, and you're listening to Share Life Today. What's keeping you from sharing the Gospel? Are you afraid that people won't take the time to have a Gospel conversation with you? Well, one of the neat things I've gotten to see over the years is what we at EE call “Divine Appointments.” The Holy Spirit is already drawing people to Himself, and when we step out in faith to share the Gospel, we get to be part of it. And people are open. In fact, they are looking for hope! And God promises He'll be with us. In Matthew 9:35, Jesus said, "The harvest is plentiful", and two thousand years later, it remains true. There are people around us every day that God has specifically placed so that we can share with them. And God'll take our fears and turn them around for His glory. So don't let your fears keep you from witnessing to others, the Lord will provide the opportunities if you'll only ask! For resources to help you get started in sharing your faith, visit sharelife.today.

Traditional Worship | Bishop Bob Hayes |  Lent is the sacred season of the church that has its roots in the 40 days Jesus spent fasting and being tempted in the wilderness. As it was then, so it is today: Lent is a time of testing and of longing — a time that is intended to produce within all of us a “holy hunger” that fills the emptiness of our spirits and refreshes our souls with the presence of God. This season invites us to cultivate a deep desire for God's presence and truth, seeking renewal as we journey toward the cross and ultimately Easter morning.In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus said: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” We are delighted that you are on this Lenten journey with us as we seek fulfillment from the only One who can satisfy our hunger.

In Matthew 28, Jesus was given all authority in heaven and on earth. In that same passage, He passed the baton of authority on to us as believers. All of us as believers should be walking in Jesus' authority. When the disciples couldn't cast out a demon in Mark 9, Jesus called them an unbelieving and perverse generation. Could it be that Jesus' frustration towards us comes from our lack in doing the same things He did when He walked on the earth? 

What did Jesus really mean when He said, “Judge not”? In Matthew 7, Jesus confronts the judgmental spirit that so easily takes root in our hearts and calls His followers to something better—a life marked by grace, humility, and discernment. In this message, we explore the difference between being judgmental and exercising biblical discernment, why dealing with the “log” in our own eye matters before pointing out the “speck” in someone else's, and how the grace of God transforms the way we see people. Ultimately, Jesus invites us to stop living as critics and start living as people shaped by grace. Through prayer, humility, and surrender to Christ, we can step off the broad road of pride and onto the narrow way that leads to life.

In Matthew 9 and 10, we see a turning point in Messiah's ministry. The religious leadership has formally rejected Him, but the mission does not stop. It expands. Jesus looks at the multitudes and sees people weary and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd. Though the nation's leaders have rejected Him, His compassion has not diminished. The harvest is still plentiful. So what does He do? He builds a new leadership core. Jesus calls His twelve disciples — men who are not yet corrupted by the religious system — and He empowers them. He gives them authority over demons, authority to heal, and authority to proclaim the Kingdom of God. He not only gives them the message, He gives them the power to authenticate the message. He selects the right men. He empowers them. He instructs them. He mobilizes them. He prepares them for opposition. This section shows us a powerful principle: Rejection does not stop God's program. It advances it. Though Israel as a nation is moving toward judgment, the groundwork is being laid for something greater — the eventual expansion of the gospel beyond Israel and the formation of the Church. When the system rejects truth, God raises up new vessels. When leaders fail, God builds a remnant. When doors close, the mission advances. The King was rejected — but the Kingdom mission continues. Watch as we walk verse by verse through this strategic shift in Messiah's ministry and uncover what it means for us today. #Matthew9 #Matthew10 #KingdomOfGod #BibleTeaching #Prophecy #GreatCommission #JesusSends #ChurchAge #Dispensational #EndTimes

In Matthew 9 and 10, we see a turning point in Messiah's ministry. The religious leadership has formally rejected Him, but the mission does not stop. It expands.   Jesus looks at the multitudes and sees people weary and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd. Though the nation's leaders have rejected Him, His compassion has not diminished. The harvest is still plentiful.   So what does He do?   He builds a new leadership core.   Jesus calls His twelve disciples — men who are not yet corrupted by the religious system — and He empowers them. He gives them authority over demons, authority to heal, and authority to proclaim the Kingdom of God. He not only gives them the message, He gives them the power to authenticate the message.   He selects the right men. He empowers them. He instructs them. He mobilizes them. He prepares them for opposition.   This section shows us a powerful principle: Rejection does not stop God's program. It advances it.   Though Israel as a nation is moving toward judgment, the groundwork is being laid for something greater — the eventual expansion of the gospel beyond Israel and the formation of the Church.   When the system rejects truth, God raises up new vessels. When leaders fail, God builds a remnant. When doors close, the mission advances.   The King was rejected — but the Kingdom mission continues.   Watch as we walk verse by verse through this strategic shift in Messiah's ministry and uncover what it means for us today.   #Matthew9 #Matthew10 #KingdomOfGod #BibleTeaching #Prophecy #GreatCommission #JesusSends #ChurchAge #Dispensational #EndTimes

In Matthew 15 we see Jesus healing and miraculously feeding people. We explore the honest, difficult questions about why some miracles happen while other prayers seem to go unanswered. We'll see how biblical waiting is an active reaching out for God's strength, wrapping our lives around His unchanging character and goodness. Join us as we learn to pray big prayers and trust in the one who promises that His grace is always enough. Speaker: Greg Holder

Join us as we continue our sermon series, "WHO IS JESUS?" In Matthew 16, Jesus asks His disciples the most important question anyone will ever answer: “Who do you say I am?”Our answer to this question determines everything. How we live, how we worship, who we trust, and ultimately where we will spend eternity.Online resources: https://www.renovatethecity.com/

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. What is the last thing you purchased for the purpose of improving your life? Every day, we encounter hundreds of proposals about how we should spend our money, time, and attention. Advertisements, products, and opportunities promise to make our lives better—healthier, happier, more successful, or more fulfilled. Each of these proposals asks us to run a kind of cost–benefit analysis: Is this worth it? Will this truly improve my life? Jesus offers a different kind of proposal. In Matthew 13:44, Jesus says the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man discovers the treasure, he joyfully sells everything he owns in order to obtain it. Jesus is telling us that there is one thing worth everything. It is as valuable as buried treasure. It is like a precious pearl. The “it” Jesus is pointing to is life in the kingdom of God through discipleship to him. It is a life spent knowing Jesus, learning his ways, and becoming like him. The invitation of the parable is simple but profound: Consider the cost. Consider the benefit. Decide whether it is worth it. The life Jesus offers—one filled with love, joy, peace, and purpose—is the greatest treasure we could ever discover.

In Matthew 15 we see Jesus healing and miraculously feeding people. We explore the honest, difficult questions about why some miracles happen while other prayers seem to go unanswered. We'll see how biblical waiting is an active reaching out for God's strength, wrapping our lives around His unchanging character and goodness. Join us as we learn to pray big prayers and trust in the one who promises that His grace is always enough. Speaker: Greg Holder

Click/tap here to view the Sermon Reflection Guide. What is the last thing you purchased for the purpose of improving your life? Every day, we encounter hundreds of proposals about how we should spend our money, time, and attention. Advertisements, products, and opportunities promise to make our lives better—healthier, happier, more successful, or more fulfilled. Each of these proposals asks us to run a kind of cost–benefit analysis: Is this worth it? Will this truly improve my life? Jesus offers a different kind of proposal. In Matthew 13:44, Jesus says the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man discovers the treasure, he joyfully sells everything he owns in order to obtain it. Jesus is telling us that there is one thing worth everything. It is as valuable as buried treasure. It is like a precious pearl. The “it” Jesus is pointing to is life in the kingdom of God through discipleship to him. It is a life spent knowing Jesus, learning his ways, and becoming like him. The invitation of the parable is simple but profound: Consider the cost. Consider the benefit. Decide whether it is worth it. The life Jesus offers—one filled with love, joy, peace, and purpose—is the greatest treasure we could ever discover.

In Matthew 20, Jesus tells a story about a landowner, a vineyard, and a group of workers who all receive the same pay — even though they showed up at very different times. It's a familiar parable, but this message slows down long enough to notice what grace is actually doing. Grace isn't just God giving people what they didn't earn. It's God moving first, seeking out the overlooked, and restoring what is broken. While some workers were focused on comparison, the landowner was focused on making things right. That's what grace does. It initiates. It keeps going back. And it fights for wholeness. This sermon is a reminder that grace is more than a nice idea. It's the very heartbeat of the kingdom of God — and if we want to be a gracious people, we have to become the kind of people who move toward others, refuse comparison, and work for restoration.

The Sermon on the Mount challenges us to examine the mirror of our own hearts before we cast judgment on others. In Matthew 7:1-6, we encounter one of Scripture's most direct commands: do not judge, or you too will be judged. This isn't a call to abandon discernment or ignore right and wrong—rather, it's an invitation to radical self-reflection. Jesus uses vivid imagery of specks and planks to illustrate our tendency to casually observe faults in others while failing to perceive the logs in our own eyes. The Greek words used here reveal the distinction: we make quick judgments about others but lack deep perception about ourselves. This teaching invites us into a greater righteousness that transforms how we relate to our brothers and sisters in Christ. When we recognize our own brokenness, our own need for mercy, we become safe people who can truly help others. The measure we use will be measured back to us—a principle of reciprocity that should cause us to pause before we condemn. We're called to a community where self-evaluation comes before correction, where humility precedes instruction, and where we extend the same grace we desperately need. This is the narrow path that leads to life, the way of the kingdom where mercy triumphs over judgment.

Why is it so easy to see the flaws in other people and so hard to see them in ourselves? In Matthew 7, Jesus exposes a hidden pattern in our relationships that quietly puts us in a role we were never meant to play.

Jesus warned His disciples they would be 'sheep among wolves.' In Matthew 10:16–23 we'll consider what it means to follow Christ with wisdom, innocence, and courage in a world that may resist Him." Steve Coleman

This week, Pastor Tim Wisehart continues teaching through the book of Matthew. In Matthew 13, through Jesus's teaching, including, his parables, we see the sovereignty and kingdom of God. A kingdom that is eternal.

What happens when following Jesus takes you somewhere you would not naturally go? In Matthew 8:18–34, His authority carries the disciples across storms and into unfamiliar territory. This Sunday we'll ask the same question they did: What kind of man …

We live in a culture that constantly urges us—and our daughters—to "find ourselves." To chase affirmation. To define our identity by looking inward. But when our gaze is fixed on the mirror, comparison, anxiety, and exhaustion often follow. For many girls growing up today, the pressure to curate a self can feel relentless. And for moms? The weight of modeling confidence while secretly wrestling with their own identity struggles can feel just as heavy.    Yet Scripture offers a radically different invitation. In Matthew 16:24, Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. Paradoxically, it's in self-forgetfulness—not self-obsession—that we discover true freedom. When we lift our eyes from ourselves and fix them on the character, goodness, and glory of God, something shifts. Peace replaces pressure. Joy displaces comparison. Identity becomes received rather than achieved.    In this special weekend conversation, Patti Garibay welcomes bestselling author and pastor Sharon Hodde Miller to the Raising Godly Girls Podcast. Sharon's newest devotional, Gazing at God, gently guides readers toward a life of humility, surrender, and sacred freedom. Together, Patti and Sharon explore what "self-forgetfulness" actually looks like in everyday motherhood, how comparison silently steals our daughters' joy, and how families can build rhythms that help everyone in the home look up instead of inward.    This episode is for the mom who sees her daughter growing weary from trying to measure up. It's for the girl who feels like she must define herself before she can belong. And it's for every parent longing to create a home atmosphere where identity is anchored not in performance, but in the steadfast love of Christ.    You'll walk away encouraged to model humility, practice surrender in the unseen work of motherhood, and help your daughter experience the deep freedom that comes from fixing her eyes on the Savior rather than on herself.      Scriptures Referenced in This Episode:    Matthew 16:24  Hebrews 12:2  Psalm 34:5  Colossians 3:1–2      To learn more about Sharon Hodde Miller and her books, including Gazing at God, visit sharonhoddemiller.com.    Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.          Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.     

How do you define success? Being promoted? Achieving a certain number of social media followers? Reaching a particular income level? Well, Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines it simply as, "a favorable or desired outcome." Take a moment today and consider how God's desired outcome looks different than the world's. In Matthew 22, Jesus tells a lawyer there are two main things we should desire in life… and they have nothing to do with financial status, power, or position! He said, "you shall love the lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind… and shall love your neighbor as yourself." What kind of desired outcome are you pursuing at work: the world's version of success that centers on personal gain? Or God's, which is about honoring Him and loving those around you? 

Send a text In Matthew 5:11–12, Jesus speaks directly to His disciples about what it can feel like to follow Him in a world that doesn't always welcome Him—insults, pressure, and even false accusations. In this episode of BuddyWalk with Jesus, we slow down and listen with maturity and care: what does “blessed” mean when life hurts, why does Jesus anchor us in “because of Me,” and how can joy be real without being fake? We'll also look at key Greek words that deepen the passage—showing how Jesus isn't romanticizing suffering, but strengthening His people with a truer verdict and a steadier hope. Support the show If you have any questions about the subjects covered in today's episode you can find us on Facebook at the links below or you can shoot me an email at joe@buddywalkwithjesus.com One Stop Shop for all the links Linktr.ee/happydeamedia

Today's passage is one of the "See For Yourself" passages Chapter 5 of Start Strong: A New Believer's Guide to Christianity. Jesus closes the Sermon on the Mount with a warning that is both sobering and hopeful: it's possible to talk like a disciple while walking the wrong road. In Matthew 7:12–29, we learn how a God-centered worldview reshapes what “love” looks like in practice—and how the Golden Rule, true spiritual fruit, and the foundation we build on reveal whether we're actually headed toward life.In this week's episode, we explore:How the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12) summarizes “love your neighbor as yourself” as a call to seek another person's good—not simply to be “nice”Why Jesus frames the choice before us as two roads: the wide way to destruction and the narrow way to life (Matthew 7:13–14)What it means to “recognize them by their fruits,” and how discernment protects God's people from false teachers (Matthew 7:15–20)Why calling Jesus “Lord” and even doing impressive religious works isn't the same as doing the Father's will (Matthew 7:21–23)How the images of rock and sand press the question: are we hearing Jesus' words and living as if they're true? (Matthew 7:24–27)How humility, mercy, repentance, and a longing for God's kingdom mark the path Jesus describes throughout the sermonAfter listening, you'll come away with clearer “markers on the road” for examining your faith—not through fear or performance, but through the settled direction of a life built on Jesus' teaching. You'll be invited to center your worldview on God, practice love with wisdom and integrity, and choose the narrow path that leads to life. Series: Start Strong: A New Believer's PodcastStart Strong: A New Believer's Guide to Christianity is available now wherever books are sold.

Have you tried to carry all of your groceries into the house in one trip so you didn't have to go back out to the car? Your arms are aching, the bags are pinching your fingers, and the food is beginning to slide out. But you keep moving, hoping to get everything into the kitchen before the bags break!Now imagine that someone in your family came out as you were unloading your bags and offered to carry them so you could sit down to rest. You probably wouldn't turn them down! Well, Jesus has made this offer—He wants to carry our burdens. We just need to say yes.In Matthew 11:28-29, Jesus says: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/1141/29?v=20251111

Episode 2.87Matthew: A Jewish Gospel That Won't Stop Talking About GentilesIn this opening episode of our new series Narrative Juxtaposition: How the Bible Speaks Through Story Placement, Michael and Zach explore a provocative question: If Matthew is the most Jewish of the four Gospels, why do Gentiles keep stealing the spotlight?Matthew is structured to emphasize Jesus as the fulfillment of Israel's story—Abraham's seed, David's son, the new Moses. The Gospel is saturated with fulfillment formulas, Torah echoes, and covenant themes. Yet at key narrative moments, Gentiles are the ones who recognize, worship, and confess Jesus rightly—while Israel's leaders hesitate, misunderstand, or resist.We trace these narrative placements carefully: the Gentile women in the genealogy, the Magi contrasted with Jerusalem's indifference, the Roman centurion whose faith astonishes Jesus, the persistent Canaanite woman, and the Roman executioner who confesses Christ at the cross. These are not random anecdotes. They function as theological commentary embedded in the story itself.Along the way, we explore how Matthew uses Gentiles as narrative mirrors—exposing unbelief, redefining covenant membership around faith rather than ethnicity, and foreshadowing the global scope of the kingdom. The Gospel's beginning and end are bookended by Gentile worship, culminating in the Great Commission to all nations.This episode models how careful attention to story placement can reveal theological depth often missed in isolated readings. In Matthew, placement preaches.Find our videocast here: https://youtu.be/nyxGoFn5-a0Merch here: https://take-2-podcast.printify.me/Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):⁠https://uppbeat.io/t/reakt-music/deep-stone⁠License code: 2QZOZ2YHZ5UTE7C8Find more Take 2 Theology content at http://www.take2theology.com

In Matthew 6, Jesus warns us to beware of practicing our righteousness to be seen by others, reminding us that with God it's not just what we do—it's why we do it.  Giving, praying, and fasting can either be acts of worship or subtle performances for applause, and while we all know we must repent of our wretchedness, Jesus confronts us with the deeper need to repent of religious righteousness rooted in image instead of intimacy. When the Father is our audience, generosity reorders our hearts, prayer becomes communion instead of performance, fasting trains us to say no to our flesh and yes to Jesus, and the true reward isn't recognition—it's Him. 

Most people assume they're on the right road. Jesus says otherwise. In Matthew 7:13-14, at the close of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus draws a line — two roads, two destinations, two kinds of people. The wide road is easy, crowded, and leads to destruction. The narrow road is hard, crushing, and leads to life. Alex breaks down what it really means to be on the narrow road, why none of us found it on our own, and what the Zoe life actually looks like. Lokelani closes with her own honest reflection on total depravity, grace, and what it costs to follow Jesus. A convicting and freeing conversation for anyone serious about their faith.https://www.instagram.com/amenpodcast/

Good people aren't exempt from violence. We aren't insulated. But neither are we intimidated. In Matthew 10:28, Jesus says, “Do...