Podcasts about in matthew

In this eye opening Abounding Love episode, I share how others had to show me where to find well known Bible passages. You'll find great wisdom for yourself and wisdom to share with others as you study these passages. For example, we begin by looking at the Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20:1-17. The Lord begins by introducing Himself, "I am the LORD thy God . . ." But the Children of Israel were not able to keep these commandments or any other laws in the Bible, so the LORD provided a sacrificial system for them to seek atonement. All these sacrifices point to Jesus, Who is God's remedy for sin, for lawbreaking and disobedience. To overcome the Law, we must be born of the Spirit through the finished works of Jesus. In Matthew 22:36, we find Jesus in response to a Pharisee's question, explaining to him [and us] the two great commandments. Join me as we find out where these and other famous passages are found. It can improve your discipleship and your ability to disciple others. #1 The Ten Commandments, Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-22; Matthew 22:34-40; #2 The Lord's Prayer, Matthew 6:9-15; #3 The Beatitudes, Matthew 5:1-13; #4 The Sermon on the Mount, Matthew, chapters 5, 6 and 7; #5 The Golden Rule, Matthew 7:12; #6 The Great Commission, Matthew 28: 18-20; #7 The Prodigal Son, Luke 15:11-32; #8 The Good Samaritan, Luke 10:25-37. Of course, there are many more great Bible passages, such as Psalm 23 and Isaiah 53, that you will want to add to these for reference. Selah! [For more: Copy and Paste or Enter into ChatGPT.com, "Create a Study Guide for episode #238 Great Bible Passages from Abounding Love Ministries" ].     www.aboundinglove.org

(This podcast was previously published on December 30, 2020)   Jesus Ministries, Joan Boney  ...   In Matthew 23, Jesus spoke concerning the scribes and Pharisees, the ministers of the time when HE walked on this earth in the flesh.   Many of these men who were heads of the synagogues and heads of the children of Israel, were very evil.   By the Words Jesus spoke to us in Matthew 23, I see so many of today's preachers.   Since we went on Internet with the ministry blog in March, 2012, we have received many e-mails from men who say they are "pastors".    First they say how much they are helped by the word we publish.  Then the truth comes out:  send us a computer, send us Bibles, send us a projector, send us a camera, send us money to help pay for a school we have just built, send us money to help with our old folks home.   They place heavy burdens on us and on other people but they won't lift a finger to help even in their own works.   And Jesus said more things about these "ministers".   Matthew 23   13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.   14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.   15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.   Jesus said, concerning the end times:   Matthew 24:4-5  Take heed that no man deceive you.  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.  

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/508/29?v=20251111

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/508/29?v=20251111

As this year comes to a close, we want to present to you a report on what the Lord has guided Media Gratiae to accomplish over the course of 2025. This week, Dr. John Snyder highlights new Bible studies, books, and expanded translations of our material. He also discusses the relaunch of our Media Gratiae Online and our growing podcast reach. We are grateful for your prayers and support. With every podcast we want to point you to Christ and our annual update is no different. John closes this year's update with a phrase that has become precious to him. In Matthew 15, a Syrophoenician woman comes to Jesus asking him to heal her daughter. She is discouraged by the apostles and seemingly discouraged by Jesus himself. But her response is, “Yes, Lord, but…” That is a sweet response available to every Christian right now.

In Matthew 7:13-29 Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount with a call to decision. It is an invitation, a challenge and a warning. Every human being has a choice to make. And that choice is about Jesus. What is the narrow way? And who do you trust to take you along the narrow way? The choice is yours to make.

Among the important mysteries of Christ's life, few are as overlooked in theology as his walking on water, perhaps because this exceptional action seems to distance him from other human beings while not benefitting anyone. Our goal in this presentation is to remedy this oversight. It is structured according to several questions. What does walking on water mean? What does it not mean? What is the unique context of this event in Christ's life? How did he walk on water? Why did he do so? How does this mystery save us? Current exegetical scholarship allows us to grasp significant theological elements present in the pericopes dealing with this episode in Matthew, Mark and John. It is invariably placed in the context of Jesus's prayer and after the miraculous feeding of the multitude. In Matthew it is a forerunner of the revelation of Christ's true identity, in Mark it is a key stage in the development of the disciples' faith in Jesus, while in John it is a sign like no other, that is, one that is not counted among the seven signs. Because in Sacred Scripture deeds manifest and confirm words, while words proclaim and clarify deeds, special attention will be afforded to the words uttered by Christ on this occasion. Saint Thomas draws critically from Hugh of Saint Victor's understanding of Jesus's walking on water as a sign of a quality (dos) of the glorified body. As such it reveals different aspects of Christ's being. Although it is not treated in the Tertia Pars, this action should be interpreted in light of what is said there of the other actions and experiences of the Savior. Once its soteriological fittingness is established, we determine and analyze the multiple ways in which this event saves us. These soteriological causalities prove that Jesus's walking on water is among the most beneficial mysteries for our life of discipleship and mission.

Wednesday, 19 November 2025   But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” Matthew 14:16   “And Jesus, He said to them, ‘They have no need to depart. You, you give, them to eat'” (CG).   In the previous verse, the disciples came to Jesus, noting the remoteness of the area and the late hour, imploring Him to send the people away so they could buy food. In response to that, it now says, “And Jesus, He said to them, ‘They have no need to depart.'”   Although each gospel narrative stands on its own, it is still interesting to see the fuller conversation. Mark's gospel omits the words “They have no need to depart,” but it adds in the words, “And they said to Him, ‘Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?'” Luke likewise leaves out this first clause and omits the additional words of Mark. John's narrative says –   “Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, ‘Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?' 6 But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do. 7 Philip answered Him, ‘Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.'” John 6:5-7    Each account is from the writer's own perspective, and yet, they can be harmoniously woven together. In Matthew, Jesus continues, saying emphatically, “You, you give, them to eat.”   One can see the emphasis from Jesus returned to the disciples based on their words, emphatically highlighted by the remoteness of the area –   *“Desolate, it is, this place, and the hour, it passed already. You dismiss the crowds that, having departed into the villages, they should buy themselves food.”   *“They have no need to depart. You, you give, them to eat”   Jesus is providing instruction in who He is and what He is capable of, and He is doing it in a manner that has astonished the minds of His people for two millennia. These are His disciples, and they have been called to accomplish an impossible task. Despite this, the mass feeding will take place, exactly as Jesus directs.   Life application: The miracle of feeding this multitude is something that the Bible asks us to believe at face value. We are not to look for some behind-the-scenes finagling on the part of the disciples or Jesus. In other words, there wasn't a convoy of trucks just on the other side of the hill, secretly ready to deliver food to feed the multitudes.   Rather, God provided the food for the people just as He did with the manna in the wilderness for forty years. It was a true miracle that is to be accepted as such. God continues to perform the miraculous in ways we may not perceive or understand, even to this day. These are done in order to suit His purposes.   Unfortunately, too often, people claim the miraculous when what occurred had nothing to do with God's providing a miracle. There are key issues we should look for to determine if something is truly miraculous.   One is to ask if the matter brought glory to God. That is the first and key point. However, such cannot be a miracle that supposedly glorifies God but which doesn't glorify Jesus. There are innumerable claims of the miraculous in Catholicism, which supposedly highlight Mary or some other figure. Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, and other religions claim miracles all the time. Do a general search on YouTube and you'll see this.   Likewise, claims of the miraculous come from Mormonism and other false cults that fall under the umbrella of “Christian” denominations. If biblical Christianity is true, these miracles cannot be real, God-directed miracles. Paul speaks of false gospels, false prophets, false brethren, and the working of Satan, which includes power, signs, and lying wonders.   Therefore, not everything that appears miraculous is. In fact, the large preponderance of so-called miracles in the world is nothing but chance events, false claims, or active workings of Satan. As you read the Bible, evaluate the miracles in it and consider why they are recorded.   They will always be there to glorify God and to validate His workings in and among His people or for their instruction. Have discernment, and don't trust anything simply because it is presented by someone who claims to be Christian. You will find that almost every supposed claim of divine intervention, be it dreams, tongues, appearances, or other supposed miraculous events, is simply hogwash.   The Bible is written. It testifies to Jesus and His workings. Do you really need more to edify your walk before the Lord? Have faith in what God has done. If He does more in your life, be grateful that His hand was upon you for whatever need you had, be it healing, financial help, or a moment of encouragement that you alone share with Him and that builds you up as His child.   Lord God, help us to have discernment and not to get caught up in things that are not helpful to our relationship with You. There are way too many distractions in this life that are neither edifying nor healthy. Keep us from such things, O God. Amen.

In Matthew 23–25, Jesus confronts his disciples with the truth about judgment, the end of the age, and the choice every person must make. Pastor Adam Mabry walks through Jesus' warnings, exposing our illusions of control and self-righteousness, and calling us to endurance, clarity, and wholehearted allegiance to Christ. The gospel isn't something to admire from a distance—it demands a response.

Temptation tests not just your willpower—it tests your mind. In Matthew 4:1–10, Jesus faced temptation in the wilderness, yet He overcame every attack by standing on the Word of God. In The Mind Game of Temptation, Otisia Hill reveals how the enemy manipulates our thoughts with lies and desires to pull us away from God's purpose. This empowering message will teach you how to resist temptation, renew your mind, and stand firm in victory through Christ.

As we continue our series The Story – Our Place in God's Plan, we turn to Act 5: God Sends. From the beginning, God has been on mission – not to recruit helpers, but to rescue people. When God sends, we see his heart for people that are helpless and hurting. In Matthew 9:35–38, we see the heartbeat of that mission – the compassion of Jesus that moves him to heal, save, and send. Subscribe for More: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdBjWoX3iFFfi7rhni6iUxQ?sub_confirmation=1 Learn More on Our Website: https://www.calvary-church.com Follow Us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/calvarychurchpennsylvania and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/calvarychurchpennsylvania #calvary #church #christian #sermon #message #souderton #quakertown #pennsylvania

In Matthew 23–25, Jesus confronts his disciples with the truth about judgment, the end of the age, and the choice every person must make. Pastor Justin Chapman walks through Jesus' warnings, exposing our illusions of control and self-righteousness, and calling us to endurance, clarity, and wholehearted allegiance to Christ. The gospel isn't something to admire from a distance—it demands a response.

In Matthew 11:2–6, John the Baptist wrestles with honest doubt. Jesus responds with wisdom, urging him to look at what he has seen and heard—evidence of God's transforming, hope-giving work.

In Matthew 24, Jesus makes it clear — “. . . concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.” So why do people keep trying to predict it? In this episode of Walking with God, Pastor Jeff explores what Scripture really teaches about the Second Coming — and why our focus shouldn't be on when Christ returns, but on how we live while we wait. Whether His return comes in the next minute or the next millennium, discover what it means to be faithful, watchful, and ready. Note: The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of Pat Barry and Jeff Quinto and may not reflect the opinions of the Bethel Bible Series or Bethel Lutheran Church. Soli Deo Gloria!

While divorce is painful and not God's original design, it is not an unforgivable sin. In Matthew 19 marriage is described as a covenant relationship where "two become one flesh" rather than a consumer relationship that can be easily terminated. God's purpose in marriage is not happiness but holiness – teaching us to love like Christ loves us, even when it's difficult. There is hope for those who have experienced divorce; God still offers grace and redemption. God can redeem even the most broken situations. God's love is unconditional and the cross provides both forgiveness for sins committed and healing for sins suffered. WATCH FULL SERVICE ON YOUTUBE DOWNLOAD PDF SERMON NOTES HERE

In Matthew 23, Jesus delivered a powerful rebuke to the religious leaders of His day—those who wore masks of holiness but whose hearts were far from God. These "woes" weren't just criticisms of ancient Pharisees. They were—and still are—timeless warnings for every leader who is tempted to prioritize image over integrity. In this episode, we explore five specific traits of hypocritical leaders that Jesus condemned: Pride and Self-Exaltation – The desire to be admired often takes precedence over serving others. Legalism Without Love – Leaders focus on rules while neglecting justice, mercy, and faith. External Appearance, Internal Corruption – Public personas mask private compromises. Spiritual Blindness – Obsessing over trivialities while missing the heart of God's mission. Exploitation Disguised as Faith – Using leadership for personal gain under the banner of righteousness. Through biblical insights and practical applications, you'll learn how to recognize these pitfalls and replace hypocrisy with humility, showmanship with sincerity, and legalism with love. This episode challenges every Christian leader—whether in business, ministry, or personal influence—to remove the mask and lead authentically, reflecting the heart of Christ in every action. If you've ever struggled with the temptation to perform rather than lead with integrity, this episode is for you. Discover how Jesus' words can shift you from being a "masked performer" to an authentic servant-leader whose character aligns with God's values.

Thank you for listening to the Unchanging Word Bible Broadcast with Dr. John G. Mitchell. We appreciate you being here in this ministry. It gives us encouragement to hear what God is doing in your lives and to pray for your requests. Please feel free to comment on these broadcasts.In Matthew 21, Dr. Mitchell will be teaching verses 1 thru 11 in this lesson. In these verses, Matthew quotes the O.T. Scripture twice. In verse 5, Matthew shows that Jesus, during His entry into Jerusalem, fulfills Zech.9:9 which speaks of Jesus as King, gentle and riding on a donkey. Matthew then writes for us what the crowds were saying as Jesus rode into Jerusalem. They were crying out loud, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD. These words come from Ps.118:26.Dr. Mitchell points out how the crowd was on the one hand calling Jesus the son of David, which refers to Him as the Messiah, but then turn around and just call Him a prophet from Nazareth in Galilee. Let's join Dr. Mitchell now in Matthew 21.

Audio reading: Gen 18:15-33, Ezek 35:1-36:38, James 1:1-18, Psalm 116:1-19, Prov 27:23-27Join me in this journey reading through the entire bible inone year!  In Matthew 4:4, Yeshua said these words: “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” Taking in the word of God every day is LIFE to our spirit and health to our bones!Visit us at: ⁠⁠dailyaudiotorah.com⁠⁠

In Matthew 14:14, we see Jesus step into a moment filled with need—and instead of turning away, He is moved with compassion and responds. That single moment becomes a window of opportunity for miracles, transformation, and multiplied impact.This message, “Window of Opportunity,” challenges us to recognize that God often brings breakthrough through moments we could easily overlook. What may feel ordinary, inconvenient, or unexpected can actually be the doorway to supernatural possibilities.

Have you ever worshiped Jesus with your hands raised while doubt whispered in your ear? In Matthew 28, we meet the disciples staring at the risen Christ bowing in worship, yet some still wavering. Discover why doubt doesn't disqualify you from the mission, but becomes the very place Jesus draws near, claims all authority, and sends you anyway.

Matthew 22-25 - Matthew 24:1-21: Pain has a way of waking us up. In Matthew 24:1–21, Jesus describes a world marked by turmoil—false teachers, conflict and loss—but He calls these moments “birth pains,” not random chaos. Just as labour leads to new life, God is bringing His redemption to completion. Even when faith is tested and love grows cold, Christ invites us to stand firm, stay alert and keep our hope anchored in Him. The finish line isn't fear—it's the faithful presence of Jesus leading us home.Join us in-person or online this Sunday at 9 or 11am—and bring a friend!

Group Guide Use this guide to help your group discussion as you meet this week. TranscriptGood morning. My name is Spencer and I'm one of the pastors here. We are continuing through our Remember series. We're in the last couple of weeks of this series. We're walking through our membership commitments and what binds us together and belief and practice as a church. We're in the 13th commitment. Today we've got this and then next week our 14th commitment. And then we'll launch into our gift series for December. But I want to read the 13th commitment before we begin. It says, I will practice and grow in generosity by financially supporting Jesus mission in church in our city and the world. Therefore, I will consistently and sacrificially give to Mill City Church of Cayce and to Mill City Church of Cayce family as they may have need. So this is what our church commits to. But this really embodies the people of God for centuries. This is our story. If you haven't thought about this before, much of actually Western culture is impacted and shaped by the generosity of Christians. Like the majority of hospitals over time were started by churches and denominations. That's why so many in many cities have a Baptist hospital, a Methodist hospital, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth, all at one point were they begun as seminaries. They were training grounds for pastors and educating laypeople in theology. The Salvation army was started by Christians in an effort to wage war on poverty in the London's east end over 100 years ago. The YMCA and the 19th century began as an effort to help Christian men. So it's the Young Men's Christian Association, Christian men who've been negatively impacted by the Industrial Revolution. Samaritan's Purse was started to wage to help kids that were affected in Korea by starvation. Habitat for Humanity was started by Christian missionaries who were building homes and then brought that back to America and has impacted many people for the last few decades. The majority of orphan care, orphanages, adoption agencies were started by Christians that have been run by Christians into the day. The examples go on and on. If you just think locally for a moment, the organization that's had the most impact on homelessness in the city of Columbia, without a doubt has been Oliver Gospel Mission. They've been doing it for over 137 years, since 1988, started by a Methodist minister. Our own hospital, Baptist Hospital, was started by the denomination that we belong to, the South Carolina Baptist convention, years over 100 years ago. So this is a part of the people of God. This is our story. And there are many examples of how this shows up. And our 13th commitment is in line with what God's people have done for Thousands of years. So today I want to show you where this comes from in the Scriptures and why we're called to live with sacrificial generosity. We're going to do a fairly quick blitz through the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation to see this theme. This is going to be a biblical theology of generosity, this theme that gets pulled from Genesis all the way through Revelation, the end of the Bible. So we're going to see where this comes from, where we're commanded to live like this. And then I want to take a step back and examine ultimately why and how we're supposed to, as the church, live this out. So let me pray for us, and then we'll walk through this together. Heavenly Father, I pray that you might help us see the gift that it is to live a life that is generous, that is not about self, but about ultimately you and your purposes here and beyond. And I pray that you would speak to us in a way that would disarm us and instruct us, and we wouldn't just be hearers of the Word, but would leave here as doers. And that's going to come through your work. So we ask this in Jesus name. Amen.Okay, so starting in the book of Genesis. One of the earliest examples we get of generosity in the Bible is in Genesis 14, when Abraham is. He wages. He's in a battle. And after they win that battle, there's a king and a high priest named Melchizedek that comes to him. In Genesis 14, it says,> And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) And he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” And Abram gave him a tenth of everything. (Genesis 14:18–20, ESV)And Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. So this is one of the earliest examples we see of giving up your material blessings. Abraham gives up a tenth of what he has in response to this priest. This type of generosity gets enshrined into the Old Testament law When you read past Genesis, into Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Numbers. When you read these books, you see throughout the law, this type of commanded generosity of the people of God. When you get to numbers 18, it's one of the places that commands the people of God to give of their finances to support the work of the priesthood. You see, the Levitical priesthood, that tribe did not have an inheritance from the Lord. That was land Their inheritance was to serve the Lord. And the people of God and the promised land were commanded to give to sustain the work of the Levitical priesthood. So you see this in the Book of Numbers and other places. In Leviticus 19, you see that the giving that God calls us is not just to help those who are priests, like Melchizedek, like the Levitical priesthood, but it is also to help one another. As you read Leviticus 19, this command to be holy as I am holy, there's a bunch of different parts in it. But one of the things that shows up in verses 9 and 10 says,> “When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the LORD your God.” (Leviticus 19:9–10, ESV)It's just built into the law that as you harvest, don't take all of it. Don't be about the enrichment of self, but realize that there are the poor, the widows, the sojourners among you that do not have food and make sure that they can come and take part in the harvest as well. You see this in other places, like Deuteronomy 15. Deuteronomy 15 says,> “If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be.” (Deuteronomy 15:7–8, ESV)Do not harden your hearts against your brothers who are in need. Throughout the law, you just see how God is commanding his people to think about one another in a way that is beautiful. And when you read the law, I'm picking places that I can't go to, all of it. But you read it. You read about the redemption laws, you read about the year of jubilee, you read about all these things that God commands of his people so that they might take care of one another, take care of the priesthood, who ministers on behalf of you, and then also take care of one another together. That's all over the Old Testament law.As you keep flipping through the Old Testament, you see examples of how this is lived out. But one of the places that you'll get to is in the wisdom literature. You won't just see that generosity is commanded, but generosity is also wise. It is wise to be someone who lives generously. In Proverbs 3, 9 and 10, it says,> “Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” (Proverbs 3:9–10, ESV)I so appreciate that it's proverbial, which means it's not a promise or a guarantee. But what he just said there is that if you honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce, that first fruits language shows up in the Old Testament law as well. That is the idea that you take the first of your harvest, not the leftovers. And that theme carries throughout the Bible as well. Don't give the Lord your leftovers, give him the first fruits, the first and best of what you have. If you do this, then your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will be bursting with wine, which means, again, proverbial. Generally, if you will be willing to be generous, the Lord will provide for you over and over again. So we don't treat it like a formula, but we see that it's wise that those who live generously, the Lord provides for them again and again and again. We see this in 11:24.> “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.” (Proverbs 11:24, ESV)Again, proverbial. But the idea here is that if you are giving freely, the Lord is taking care of you. But if you are greedy, if you withhold, if you are self interested, you will only suffer want. And there are plenty of other proverbs that hit different aspects of what it means to the wisdom that is bound up and not living for the enrichment of self, but living generously.Now, the Old Testament law, you see this from start to finish in the Old Testament law. This theme of God's people who were called to live generously. Then we get to the New Testament and then Jesus comes and begins teaching. And one of the most consistent teachings that Jesus has is on money and generosity over and over again. And Jesus doesn't just get to the commands, he gets to the hearts behind the commands. Because when you get to Matthew chapter six in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says,> “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19–21, ESV)So Jesus gets the heart of the matter, which is, do not, do not live for the riches of this present world. Everything that your heart so quickly desires, all the shiny objects and things in this life, all of it will end up in a landfill. It will decay. But if you will put your heart where God's heart is and the kingdom of God in eternity, you will store up riches that will never spoil or fade. Put your heart there. He gets to the heart of it. And this teaching that we get in Matthew 6 that is so helpful, helps us see, this is what we're called to be, is to put our heart in the things that God cares about that last into eternity. And listen, if you just do the Gospel of Matthew, I'm gonna do just some quick hits of just how he teaches this over and over again. But if you go back to Matthew 5:3, he says,> “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3, ESV)You get to Matthew 5:42. He says,> “Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.” (Matthew 5:42, ESV)You get to chapter six, verses one through four. He says,> “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,” (Matthew 6:1–4, ESV)which is the teaching that we should give not to be seen. That we should not strut to the offering box and say, look at what I have done. That we should not let everyone know on GoFundMe that I'm the one that has given. We shouldn't make it known to everyone that I am giving, but we should do it in secret, because ultimately our giving is to the Lord and not to be seen by others. And he continues, I mean, 6:19, 24, we just read do not lay up treasures in heaven. 6:24 we read earlier is,> “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Matthew 6:24, ESV)6:25–34 he says, do not be anxious about material needs. Seek first the kingdom of God. In Matthew 13:22, when he's teaching the parable of the sore sower, talking about the seeds of faith that are sown, one of the seeds that gets choked out is by the thorns, which is the riches and the cares of this present world. And that's a warning that if we care so much about material blessings in this life, we care so much about money and riches here, it will snuff out our faith. In Matthew chapter 19, we get an example of what that looks like. When a rich young man comes to Jesus and says, I want to follow you. And he gives his resume of all he's followed the law. And then Jesus goes straight to the heart and he says, okay, so sell everything you have. Come, follow me. And he says, no, it went away sad because he had great wealth. And then Jesus goes on to say in teaching that he says, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. And listen, that's the eye of a sewing needle. Have you ever heard some prosperity? False prophets say, that's a tiny little door in Jerusalem. That's a lie. The whole point there is that, no, you cannot be saved as a rich man in your own, your own self. It comes through faith in Jesus Christ and him shaping us and our approach to how we think about money. That's just the Gospel of Matthew, but if you keep reading the Gospel of Mark, the Gospel of Luke, the Gospel of John, Jesus continuously, repetitively, aggressively, at times teaches on riches because there's a lot at stake now.Jesus goes to the cross, he dies for our sins. He rises from the grave, conquering the power of death and its grip on us. And then when he ascends to the right hand of God the Father and the Holy Spirit descends upon the church. In Acts 2. We've been in this passage multiple times throughout this Remember series. We see the early church embody Christ's teachings on generosity. In Acts 2:44, it says,> “And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.” (Acts 2:44–45, ESV)They believe it. They are all in on what Christ taught. And they just say, give it away. I'll sell this and I'll give it to you. Make sure that the saints are taken care of, make sure that the gospel can go forward. They believe this wholeheartedly and they begin to live this out. And when you read the rest of the book of Acts, you see this. And when you read the rest of the New Testament letters, Romans all the way through, you're going to see this over and over again. I can't hit all of it, but I just want to show you a few different parts of the New Testament letters that teach this theme of generosity. In Second Corinthians, chapter eight, Paul put he's talking to the church at Corinth, which is a very wealthy church and a wealthy city. And when he's talking to them, he uses the Macedonian church, which is in a different area that is not as wealthy, as an example to spur them on to generosity. And in chapter eight, verses three and four, it says,> “For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints.” (2 Corinthians 8:3–4, ESV)That little phrase is one of My favorite phrases on generosity in the Bible, that this church was begging, they were eager. We cannot miss out on this. Can we give? The saints in Jerusalem were struggling, they needed help. And they said, I want all in on this. Can we be a part of this? And he's trying to help the Corinthian church. Do you not see how we're called to live? And if you read different parts of the New Testament in the letters, you're going to see this call to give to the efforts of gospel ministry and give to one another, to take care of one another. I mean, when you read the book of Philippians, y', all, we spent time a couple years ago in the book of Philippians, wonderful, beautiful theological insights, wonderful, beautiful passages. But when you get to the end, you see that it wraps up like a support letter because he's thankful for their partnership with him in the gospel. In 4:15, he says,> “And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.” (Philippians 4:15, ESV)And he's just thankful, thankful for the church at Philippi and how they've invested in his ministry efforts. Paul at times had to be a tent maker, but he did need money to live on. He needed money to travel. And in First Corinthians 9, at one point when he's talking to the church at Corinth, he makes the point that it is my right as a minister of the gospel to be paid. And it makes that clear in the New Testament. Ministers of the gospel, those who do gospel work, should be paid to make their living by the gospel. But he tells the church of Corinth, I'm not demanding that of you because I know that's a stumbling block for you. I want you to believe the gospel. I don't want you to think I'm money hungry. And that is something that even shows up today. It's hard for pastors at times to talk about money because you don't want to fall into the category of money hungry pastors. But God talks so much about it and it's so important. So we will. Throughout the New Testament, you see this commanded generosity, these examples of generosity for the advancement of the gospel, moving forward through caring for one another, and all of that. As you read through the N terminates in the Book of Revelation. And if you were with us the last year as we walked through the Book of Revelation, those final three chapters is a vivid picture of where all this is going, that God's people get to experience the eternal generosity of God unendingly, that we get to have a feast with our God, that He provides for us, that we get to have eternal dwelling with our God, that He provides life and light and riches beyond imagination. Our God freely, lovingly, joyfully, gives to his people forever and ever and ever. Amen. And that is how the Bible ends. And you see from start to finish this thread that is pulled of generosity, of how God's people have been shaped by this and really how we've lived this out for thousands years.But all these examples that are wonderful and beautiful, all these commands that are powerful and all these teachings that shape us, it is also important to realize it's pretty dang hard to live this out. It just is because we're just so self interested. We're just self interested people. I know I am. I mean, I see it like I y', all, I see when my. Give you an example. When my kids, when there's a dessert in our household, they, they, they become feral. It's it's mine. Like you ever seen a, you ever seen a raccoon that's eating trash pizza? You come up on a raccoon eating trash pizza and you try to meet my children with a dessert, it's theirs. Do you know where they got that from? My wife? No, I'm just kidding. They got that from me. One of the most infamous stories in my family is when I was in college, I was home for Thanksgiving, my mom made this chocolate pie and she made it for me to take it to college back for exams. And I had it and my stepdad and my sister saw it and they said, ooh, I want a bite. And I grabbed it and I licked the whole thing. Which in my family was claiming it. I know in your family that might not have stopped anyone, but in my family that stopped everyone because this was mine. And that self interested instinct is all over how we think about riches. It's all over how we think about money. This is what we do, y'. All. That's why when the pandemic hit, what was the first thing to leave the shelves? Toilet paper. That's just everyone's like, gotta get it. I gotta get in my house. It's what we do. This is a human infection that we pass down from generation to generation, from forefathers to their children and grandchildren. This desire for the enrichment and care of self. We have a Bible reading plan that anyone in our church is welcome to go through, but a few of us have gone through over the last few years and I'm in this Bible reading plan the other few weeks ago, and we come up to 1 Timothy, chapter 6. And I'm reading it, and I just. Was just slayed. I read it, and I just want to read. Gets right at the heart of this. It says,> “But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (1 Timothy 6:6–10, ESV)Do you hear that? That's a warning. That riches can become your ruin. The desire for them can become a ruin for you. Verse 10. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pangs. And it's like, I just. I read that. I went, oh, my God, woe is me. If you, if you don't read that and tremble if you don't receive that and go, I. Where. Where have I fallen in love with riches and, and money in a way that is. That is literally risking me walking away from the Lord, then we're. We're not reading it correctly. It's a. It's a real danger. And if you, if you realize the danger of our. Of our. Of our besetting sin in our hearts. It's not enough just to look at the whole Bible and look at all the examples, because those examples, enough, even those commands are not enough for us to take our eyes off of the riches of this present world. We have to get to the heart of why. Why are we commanded to live this out? Why should we do this? And the example that we have of why is found in, in Jesus Christ. When you read 2 Corinthians, chapter 8, it says,> “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9, ESV)That teaches that Jesus Christ, the second member of the Trinity, left the glory and the comfort and the heaven to become man and dwell among us in poverty. That he left the riches and the comforts of heaven to live a lowly human life in need constantly. And then he goes to the cross where he has nothing. The garments that he has are divided amongst the people below and he's crucified for our self interest and greed and desire for the riches of this present world. And he resurrects to conquer the power of sin so that we might not be slaves to riches, we might be slaves to our desires for this present world, but we might be resurrected in faith to have new eyes and a new heart. That we might see that he is better and that following him and putting all of our hopes in eternity is better than anything this present world could have to offer. And that by the power of the Holy Spirit he might break us of a desire for things that will spoil and fade and fix our eyes on eternity. We read 1 John 4:19 the why is we love because he first loved us.> “We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19, ESV)The only hope we have to grow in being generous people is to look at the example we have in Jesus Christ and put our faith firmly in him as our only hope. That is one and that is the why which shapes our commitment. I will practice and grow in generosity by financially supporting Jesus mission and church in our city and the world. Therefore I will consistently and sacrificially give to Mill City Church of Cayce and to Mill City Church of Cayce family as they may have need. God, who loves us, who came to rescue us, who saves us from our own selfish desires, sets us apart to follow him and calls us to trust him, to yield to him open handedly that he will provide for us and to lift our gaze to the heavens, to store our riches there, where one day we will taste and see of things that we could not passively dream, possibly dream or imagine about. That is what guides us and the hope that we have in this commitment as a church.So if that is why I want to end with how. How do we practically take steps to grow in this? It begins with giving. And one of the things that we say is in the language we have in our commitment is to is to sacrificially give. We use the language of sacrificial giving in our Give series in a few weeks. That's a language that's going to show up. That's a language we've used for years. We do not use the language of tithe. And if you grew up in the church, that's a very common phrase. It shows up all over the Old Testament law. Tithe, that just means a tenth. It goes back to the example of Melchizedek and Abraham. But you read the Old Testament, it says to give a tenth. The New Testament actually doesn't command the tithe. It embodies the heart of generosity from the Old Testament. But the language we see consistently in the New Testament is one of sacrificial giving. Therefore we command from the scriptures. You need to sacrificially give. And I think that's more helpful language than the time I do. I think that calls us to consider what we should give before the Lord in a way that is, that is meaningful. And I think for some whom God has blessed in this church, making money that you never thought you could make, if you say that giving is the tithe, you have limited yourself and you are not actually growing in sacrificial giving. For some of you, the tithe is the floor, it's not the ceiling. And you should be looking for ways to continue to grow in giving. And for others, like that's. If we just use the language of tithe, that's a hard place to get to. If you're not giving anything at all, that's a tough thing to accomplish. We want us to take steps of faithfulness and growing and sacrificial generosity. We do not dictate how much you should give. We do not dictate exactly where you should give. You see, the language that we got here is I will consistently and sacrificially give to Mill City Church of Cayce and Mill City Church of Cayce families. And above it, it says I will financially supporting Jesus mission in the church and the city and the world. So we're not saying that you've got to give all of your money to formally the local church though I would caution, I have heard and seen this over the years that some folks will say, ah, I just, I, no, I'm not, I don't know if I can, I don't know what the church is doing. I want to be able to dictate where my money can go. So I'm going to give to people in my church, I'm going to give people to my community. I'm going to give to orphan care, I'm going to give to missions. But I really, I don't know if I can give formally to the local church. I just, I don't know how. And I just want to caution you, if you have any bit of that zone in your heart, I want you to consider what functionally that means. It means that you do not trust the leadership of this church and work with our boss team, our boss Business Oversight and Sustainability Squad, that's our team that oversees finances in our church. So the elders and our boss team, I don't trust them to be able to give to the local church. And I just want to caution you on that, because I'll be honest, if I was a part of a church and I didn't trust the leadership of that church to handle the finances, I wouldn't be there. I just. I was like, if I can't trust you with money, then I can't trust you, period. And if that's the position of your heart, I want you to evaluate that and I want you to reckon with that argument, because I think you should trust the leadership of this church. You should formally give. You should give in the give boxes, you should give online. You should give to the local church and the ministry efforts entrusting us to figure out what is the best use of how these gifts have been given to use and distribute in a way that accomplishes the purposes of the local church. You should also give to your church family. You should be saving up regularly to give to your church family. You should be looking eager, like that Second Corinthians language. If I'm eager to jump in and give at a moment's notice to someone who is in need, y'. All. One of the benefits I have as a pastor is that I regularly get to see people who are embodying Matthew 6, not being public, letting the left hand know what the right hand is giving. So they come to one of the pastors and say, hey, I just. I want to be able to bless this person. Can you make sure they get this? Can you make sure that this person gets this? I see this all the time. I've lost count of how many cars have been given away in this church, how many washing machines, how many medical bills have been paid off. I've watched people just live it out in beautiful and wonderful ways. We should do that. You should be looking for ways to just bless people in our church who are in need and to see the beauty and the wonder and the glory of just joining in in God's mission and caring for his people, just as they did in Acts Chapter two.And beyond that, we should be eager to give beyond our church, beyond the local mission. That's one of the reasons why we give regularly to 1040 HOPE. 1040 HOPE is the mission organization that Ben Johnson, one of the members of our church, leads. It's on the meets on the third. They have office space on the third floor of our building. And we give to them, and we encourage you to give to them because we want to see the gospel Reach every nation, tribe and tongue and the areas of the world where there are not Christians or anyone that even knows the gospel. We want to be about all of it. So we. That's what. That's what it means to. That's how we should do this. We should give, firstly, meaning of your first fruits. Do not give your leftovers. We should give consistently, which means that some of you should set up regular giving and we should give sacrificially, meaning we should be considerate of giving in a way that we feel it, that it actually is a sacrifice. This is something we should grow in and take steps of faithfulness in. So if you're in a place where you're like, I just, I can't. I just. I literally can't give right now. I want to say very clearly that's a problem. But that's a problem we'd love to help you with. We have a financial care team that will sit down with you, that'll sit with you in your budget, that will help you figure out how you can take steps of faithfulness here. We want to help you to be able to do this. And when I'm coaching people up on this, that's why I think language of tithe can be discouraging at times. Because if you're like, I'm going from 0 to 10, I don't know how I'm going to get there. Just take steps of faithfulness. Start by giving 40 to 50 bucks a month. Do that and commit to it. And you might have to cut things out. But of how much you spend on Starbucks and Amazon prime and Netflix, and if you total all of that up, and that's more than what you give to the mission of God, that's a value statement. That is a problem and it needs to change. So we need to do some soul work in this. And I say, take steps of faithful. So I'm coaching people on this. I'm like, start here. Maybe next year you can carve out 1% of your budget and maybe the following year you can take a step of faith and double it at 2%. And maybe in three years you could double it again and get to 4%. Maybe in four to five years, if you're really figuring this out, you could jump up to eight. Figure this out before the Lord and ask the Lord what he wants you to give. But we can take steps of faithfulness and growing in this. It's worth it for our own souls to not fall in love with the riches of this present world. Some people will Say, like, I don't know if I can get. I don't know when I'm gonna have enough to give. I don't know if I'm gonna get there. And I will say to you very clearly, we have to be trusted with the small things that we're given so we can step into the greater things. The idea that if I make more down the road, I'll be able to give. It's not how we logically work. It's not how the scriptures teach this. We need to be faithful with little so we can later be faithful with much. We need to take steps of faithfulness to grow in this. I was talking with Raz Bradley. Raz, one of our pastors, was in Florida for a conference a few weeks back, and he got to meet a guy and hear his story, and I got to watch this video of this guy's story. But this. This man was. Him and his wife, years ago, were going to be missionaries. They're excited to go on the mission field. And as they're gearing up, ready to go on the mission field, his father sits down with him and his brother and says, hey, I'm retiring. He had a small mom and pop crane company. Because I'm retiring, and it's either y' all are taking this over or it's gonna end. But, like, I mean, we're. And he had a decision to make, and he prayed, do I go on the mission field or do I take over this business and use it for the glory of God and funding missions? And much to his wife's dismay, they didn't go on the mission field. Him and his brother took over this crane company, and they started out from the very beginning. They said, this is what we're going to do. We are not going to build this company for the enrichment of ourselves. We are going to take the profits. So about half invest it back into the company itself, and the other half we're going to give away. We're going to invest in gospel efforts. Now, a normal company, you do the first half, you've got to invest money back into the company, otherwise it won't make it. But the other half is yours. You get to keep the profits. And that's what it means to be a small business owner. And they said, no, we're going to take salaries and we're going to grow this company, and we're going to see the Lord grow this company over the years. We're going to see what he's going to do with this. And they did this for Years and tens of thousands turned into hundreds of thousands of profits, which turned into millions of dollars in profit to this year. They've given away over $70 million this year to mission efforts across the world. And it's like all along the way, it took salaries, they took decent salaries for a long time. He had $100,000 salary. You see the video of his house. It's a normal house. His car, it's an old beater car. And they had their most need. They had, you know, kids are going to college. He had a good salary of $150,000. And then when his kids were done with college, he went back down to $100,000. But they are handling tens of millions of dollars a year. And they're saying, I don't want it. I want to put that in the kingdom of God. And to think if this continues that for years to come, that they might invest a billion dollars into mission efforts across the world. Can you imagine the riches that they are storing up in heaven? What a life to live. What a legacy to leave behind. And y', all, the heart that is bound up in those men and their story is the same heart that is bound up. If you remember the story of Jesus and the widow's mite, the widow who comes to the temple and has only a few pennies to give, and she gives all of it. And Jesus points to her and says, look at it, look at her heart. This is what it means to be generous. And she gives all of it away. That's the same heart that was embodied there. It's the same heart that is bound up in the Christian who is looking at their budget and they're saying, you know what? I want to grow in generosity. I want to give to the church, to orphan care, to missions, which means I might drive the same car for the next 10 years and my co workers might have nicer trucks and nicer cars. But I'm going to take it on the chin here. I'm going to drive this thing until the wheels come off because it matters that I have the margins to give to what God wants us. This is the heart, the same heart that is in that. And that man is the same heart that sent a young Christian who's figuring out money for the first time. And they realize that the normative pattern that we've just accepted, that I just upgrade a phone every two years doesn't have to happen. So I'm holding this phone for three, four and five years so that I can have the ability to give and give generously to others. This is the same heart that's in the Christian right now that's looking at their budget and looking at inflation and going, I don't know how we're going to make ends meet, but I'm not cutting my money to this missionary. I'll cut my Starbucks habit before that happens because it matters to invest in the kingdom of God. That is the heart that shapes this commitment. Let me read it one more time. I will practice and grow in generosity by financially supporting Jesus mission and church in our city and the world. Therefore, I will consistently and sacrificially give to Mill City Church of Cayce and to Mill City Church of Cayce family as they may have need. Let's be a people that forsake the love of money and the love of riches in this present world, that look to Christ as our hope to change us and then take steps of faithfulness to be the generous people that God has called us to be.Let's pray. Heavenly Father, I pray that you might help us submit something that is so dear to our flesh, something that we don't like to talk about, something we don't like anyone else talking to us about. But let's take seriously the teachings about money and riches in this life and let's be a people that embody the heart of generosity that flows throughout the scriptures that you perfectly exampled and that you hold out for us all the way to the new heavens and the new earth. In Jesus name, amen. The band's going to come up. We're going to sing one final song together. I hope as we consider these teachings this week, as they may be difficult for us to receive and even more difficult to live out, that we would seriously consider them, that we would not hear them and discard them, but we would actually let the Holy Spirit, as we sing right now, do some work in our heart that as we leave this place, we would sit quietly before the Lord and ask God, how do you want me to grow? What steps do you want me to take? And if you need pastors or financial care or anyone to help you figure that out, we'd love to sit down and help you do that.

Prayer is one of the most powerful—and often neglected—gifts God gives His children. It's where we find strength, mercy, and the power to change things. In Matthew 6:5–14, Pastor Aaron Gray walks through the Lord's Prayer—showing us how to make prayer personal, persistent, and a daily practice.Watch here: https://restoration.subspla.sh/qckd82m#thehappyrabbi #restorationseattle #JewishinSeattle

Prayer is one of the most powerful—and often neglected—gifts God gives His children. It's where we find strength, mercy, and the power to change things. In Matthew 6:5–14, Pastor Aaron Gray walks through the Lord's Prayer—showing us how to make prayer personal, persistent, and a daily practice.Watch here: https://restoration.subspla.sh/qckd82m#thehappyrabbi #restorationseattle #JewishinSeattle

Let's keep growing togetherJoin us LIVE every Tuesday at 6:30pm on YouTubeText "UG" to 320320 to connectVisit UnstoppableGrowth.orgUG Live 14 - 8 Ways to THRIVE in Every StormEver feel like the storm hit right after you obeyed God? You're not alone. In Matthew 14, Jesus' disciples found themselves rowing against the wind BUT right in the middle of God's will. What if the storm wasn't there to destroy them, but to reveal Jesus? In this Unstoppable Word, you'll discover 8 powerful truths hidden in the waves, how fear can cloud your vision and why discomfort often initiates breakthrough. Don't miss this one… what if your current storm is the stage for your next miracle?

In Matthew 16, Jesus foretells his death and resurrection but Peter rebukes him. Jesus spoke truth to Peter and told him to set his mind on things of God and not man. Sometimes a compliment will come and sometimes a rebuke might come, but our response shapes the growth that comes from it. Peter learned from his mistake and in Acts we see that he gave his life to following Jesus.

As we close our series on prayer, Jesus shows us the clearest contrast between the prayers God rejects and the prayers He receives. In Matthew 6, He exposes the empty, self-centered, performance-driven prayers that lead nowhere—and then gives us the pattern for prayer that moves heaven. In this episode, we will walk through practical examples of “wrong prayers” and compare them to the God-honoring posture modeled in the Lord's Prayer. Silence becomes a teacher when it pushes us toward praying the way Jesus instructed.

Not everything that grows in the field comes from the same seed. In Matthew 13, Jesus teaches that the kingdom of God is both hidden and growing—real faith develops quietly, even in the middle of confusion, counterfeits, and chaos. In this message, we discover what it means to truly see God's kingdom, grow faithfully among the weeds, and trust the Sower's timing. The seed is still good. The harvest is still coming. God isn't panicked—He's patient, and His kingdom is advancing even when it's hidden beneath the surface. Keep listening. Keep growing. Keep trusting. The weeds won't last forever, but the wheat will.

For Jesus Followers, Who Would Follow Him – “whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me” MESSAGE SUMMARY: You need to submit our life preferences to the God. By submitting your life preferences to the Lord, He can help you to understand the life path that your preferences will lead. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 9:24, tells us that our Life Preferences need an overarching focus: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.". Life preferences are not, necessarily, sins; but they can close doors in your life. In Matthew 10:37-39, Jesus provides a context from which we can assess life preference choices: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.".   TODAY'S PRAYER: Father, I confess that when difficulties and trials come into my life, large or small, I mostly grumble and complain. I realize the trials James talks about are not necessarily “walls,” but they are difficult to bear, nonetheless. Fill me with such a vision of a transformed life, O God, that I might actually consider it “pure joy” when you bring trials my way. I believe, Lord. Help my unbelief. In Jesus' name, amen.  Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day (p. 94). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Today, I affirm that, because I am in Jesus Christ, My citizenship is in Heaven. (Philippians 3:20f). “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.”. (Philippians 4:14). SCRIPTURE REFERENCE (ESV): Matthew 10:37-39; 1 Corinthians 9:12-27; James 3:13-18; Psalms 135:12-21. A WORD FROM THE LORD WEBSITE: www.AWFTL.org. THIS SUNDAY'S AUDIO SERMON: You can listen to Archbishop Beach's Current Sunday Sermon: “My Grace is Sufficient”, at our Website: https://awordfromthelord.org/listen/ DONATE TO AWFTL: https://mygiving.secure.force.com/GXDonateNow?id=a0Ui000000DglsqEAB

On today's Bible Answer Man broadcast (11/11/25), Hank answers the following questions:What else can Christians do to get ready for the return of Christ? Carol - MO (0:49)In Matthew 24:40-41, are the ones taken up going to hell and the ones left going to heaven? Is this the Rapture? Brad - St. Louis, MO (4:06)Someone advised an agnostic to pray to God. Does God hear the prayers of unbelievers? Chris - Reno, NV (8:32)Will we know our loved ones in heaven? Romanita - St. Louis, MO (15:11)What is your opinion of Watchman Nee? Shawn - Nashville, TN (17:52)I am a Jehovah's Witness, and I was wondering what is wrong with the Jehovah's Witnesses? Larry - Nashville, TN (21:40)

In Matthew 19–21, Jesus overturns what we think we need—achievement, power, and self-made goodness—and shows us what we truly need: Him. Following Jesus means releasing lesser loves to receive the only King who can save and satisfy.

In Matthew 19–21, Jesus overturns what we think we need—achievement, power, and self-made goodness—and shows us what we truly need: Him. Following Jesus means releasing lesser loves to receive the only King who can save and satisfy.

In Matthew 19, we begin this lesson with verse 13. Two topics are dealt with in this study.The first Jesus' continuing concern for children. He prayed from them.The second topic is Jesus' conversation with a man wanting to know what good deed he could do to enter into eternal life.This section reveals the thinking of those who suppose they can please God and find His favor by doing good. The N.T. Scripture tells us that it is by grace we are saved through faith. It is not of works lest anyone should boast. Salvation is from the Lord Jesus Christ alone. The one who places faith in the crucified and risen Christ will be saved and have eternal life.Dr. Mitchell tells us that life cannot be inherited. Life only comes through relationship.Here is Matthew 19:10-20 with Dr. Mitchell on the Unchanging Word Bible Broadcast.

In Matthew 20 Jesus tells a parable about a master who rewards his workers based on grace, not their merit. In the parable, Jesus explains that God gives grace out of his goodness, not our productivity. Most of us struggle with this truth today. While we're grateful for God's mercy extended to us, we can grow bitter when God gives mercy, providence, and blessings to those we don't think deserve it. But this comparison keeps us from experiencing joy from God's grace towards us. To avoid becoming bitter with God's generosity towards others, we practice contentment.

Biblically, the sin of not resting is seen as disobedience to God's rhythm of creation and a rejection of trust in His provision. It leads to spiritual dryness, societal injustice, and even exile.   Here's how Scripture frames this:  

In Matthew 20 Jesus tells a parable about a master who rewards his workers based on grace, not their merit. In the parable, Jesus explains that God gives grace out of his goodness, not our productivity. Most of us struggle with this truth today. While we're grateful for God's mercy extended to us, we can grow bitter when God gives mercy, providence, and blessings to those we don't think deserve it. But this comparison keeps us from experiencing joy from God's grace towards us. To avoid becoming bitter with God's generosity towards others, we practice contentment.

In Matthew 20 Jesus tells a parable about a master who rewards his workers based on grace, not their merit. In the parable, Jesus explains that God gives grace out of his goodness, not our productivity. Most of us struggle with this truth today. While we're grateful for God's mercy extended to us, we can grow bitter when God gives mercy, providence, and blessings to those we don't think deserve it. But this comparison keeps us from experiencing joy from God's grace towards us. To avoid becoming bitter with God's generosity towards others, we practice contentment.

In Matthew 9:33-35, Jesus's ministry creates a clear dividing line between two distinct camps among humanity.

Matthew 22-25 - Matthew 23:13-39: Do you ever find yourself going through life, feeling like you're carrying a heavy burden? Carrying some extra baggage? Some of those things are things we choose to carry. And some are placed upon us by others. In Matthew 23:13-39, Jesus tackles the latter, accusing the Pharisees of being hypocrites and making life hard by creating rules and a way of living that weighs people down. Jesus has some harsh things to say about this and judgement that might come as a surprise. Come find out why Jesus hates hypocrisy and respond to His invitation to lay down our burdens and embrace His life-giving blessing. 

Message by Larry Osborne on November 8, 2025. To say Jesus wasn't the Messiah people expected would be an understatement. In Matthew 11, even John the Baptist starts to question if Jesus is really the One. This message looks at what we do when God doesn't fit our expectations. Video available on YouTube at https://youtu.be/24pAK-P-z48 - Live Notes available at https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/38370/note-250069.html

In Matthew 16, Jesus asks who do people say that He is and Peter answers you are the Christ the son of the living God. God opened Peter's heart so that he could understand to trust the Lord Jesus as savior. Peter had an aha moment. Just like the prophet Jeremiah, we too are to extract the precious from the worthless. Our job is to allow the Lord God to work through us in proclaiming Christ, because it is Him who opens the eyes of the unbeliever. 

In Matthew 7:1-12 Jesus gives us wisdom on how to love our neighbor in a sinful, messy world. Love is hard and risky. We need self-awareness, others-awareness and God-awareness to live out the ethic of Jesus.

It's Wednesday, November 5th, A.D. 2025. 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 Jonathan Clark Vulnerable Asian and African girls kidnapped, abused, converted to Islam Christian women and girls are easy targets for persecution in South Asian and African nations. Last Tuesday, a panel at the World Evangelical Alliance's 14th General Assembly shared details. For example, girls in Nigeria, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are often kidnapped, abused, and forced to convert to Islam. Even if they escape, they often face rejection after returning to their families, communities, or churches.  The panel called for better care for the women and girls subjected to such persecution. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” Finnish stateswoman on trial again for affirming Biblical sexuality Speaking of persecuted women, a Christian woman in Finland is on trial for posting online about her biblical views on marriage and sexuality.  Last Thursday, the country's Supreme Court heard the case of Päivi Räsänen, a 65-year-old Finnish Member of Parliament. The state prosecution of her religious expression continues despite lower courts clearing her of wrongdoing. Listen to her recent comments to CitizenGo.  RÄSÄNEN: “This has been my calling. This has been some kind of privilege, to defend these very crucial values, to defend the freedom of speech and freedom of faith, because that is what we need just now. And also to bring the teachings of the Bible in public.” Lutheran Bishop Juhana Pohjola is also on trial in the case. He said, “I think it is important that Christians continue to be able to defend Christian marriage and the Christian view of humanity without fear.” In 2 Thessalonians 1:8, the Apostle Paul wrote “Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the Gospel according to the power of God.” 40 Days for Life has saved 25,000 babies from abortion 40 Days for Life completed its latest campaign on Sunday. Pro-lifers mobilized for vigils in 671 cities worldwide for the last 40 days.  Shawn Carney, president of the pro-life group, said, “Thanks to your prayers and God's generosity, we continue to receive reports of babies who were scheduled to be aborted--but are instead alive and well!” In some cities, vigils are continuing year-round through the 40 Days for Life 365 initiative. Since 2007, 40 Days for Life has saved over 25,000 babies from abortion.  Former Vice President Dick Cheney died In the United States, former Vice President Dick Cheney died on Monday at the age of 84. His family said in a statement that he died from complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease.  The statement noted, “Dick Cheney was a great and good man who taught his children and grandchildren to love our country, and to live lives of courage, honor, love, kindness, and fly fishing.” Sadly, Cheney supported homosexual faux marriage because his daughter, Mary Cheney, married her lesbian lover, Heather Poe. Cheney was known as one of the most influential vice presidents in U.S. history. He served as vice president under both terms of President George W. Bush. He was a key yet controversial leader in the “War on Terror” following the 9/11 terrorists attacks. Cheney was a member of the United Methodist Church. He was also the first Methodist vice president to serve under a Methodist president. U.S. Episcopal Church shrinking for anti-Biblical stances The U.S. Episcopal Church released its 2024 Parochial Report last month. And it's not good news. Not surprisingly, the mainline Protestant denomination reported fewer baptisms and a drop in the total number of parishes -- no doubt the result of the Episcopal Church's rejection of Biblical authority and an embrace of sodomy and baby killing through abortion. Worship attendance did increase last year, but is still down compared to a decade ago. At its rate of decline, the denomination could have no Sunday attendance in 30 years. Deuteronomy 4:2 warns, “Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you.” Slight decrease in U.S. obesity rate And finally, Gallup reports obesity rates are declining in the U.S. The adult obesity rate stands at 37% this year. That's down from a high of 39.9% in 2022 but up from 25.5% in 2008. While obesity rates have declined recently, diagnoses of diabetes have reached an all-time high of 13.8%. That's up slightly from 10.6% in 2008. The use of weight loss injectable drugs has risen sharply over the past year. The popularity of these weight loss drugs is connected with lower obesity rates but has not lessened the rate of diabetes diagnoses.  Close And that's The Worldview on this Wednesday, November 5th, in the year of our Lord 2025. 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.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Church is a Starting LineWe all know what it feels like to be unseen—even in a crowded room. In Matthew 9, Jesus sees Matthew at the tax booth, right in the middle of his brokenness, and says, “Follow me.” That simple invitation reminds us that church is not the finish line for people who have it all together—it's the starting line for anyone willing to follow Jesus. At Good News, we believe everybody's welcome, nobody's perfect, and with God, anything is possible.DATE: 09/07/2025SPEAKER: Brad Goode

God's kingdom holds deep spiritual truths revealed to those who seek Him with open hearts. In "The Mystery of Seeds," Duane Sheriff explores the powerful biblical principle of sowing and reaping, uncovering the spiritual mysteries hidden within farming parallels. In Matthew 13:10-11, we learn these truths are hidden from hardened hearts but revealed to those who love and seek God.Episode one unveils the various mysteries of seeds—how they are sown and reaped in different forms, the importance of good soil, and even reaping where one has not sown. Seeds represent potential and faith that must be planted and nurtured to produce spiritual and practical harvests. Discover how these seed principles can transform your spiritual journey.The Mystery of Seeds - Duane Sheriff Ministries

In Matthew 6, Jesus gives us a how to Manuel on how to pray.  The Lord's Prayer is something many of us know, and have memorized, but we don't understand it fully.  In this sermon, Pastor Nate begins with the WHY of Prayer, but then breaks down a step by step process of the HOW based on the Lord's Prayer. Grab your pen, because if you can apply these principles, it will CHANGE your prayer life.  

Part six of the Mysterious Kingdom Parables series continues the previous sermon about the meal, and focuses on the leaven placed in the meal. The devil wants to permeate the church, and our lives, with evil. In Matthew 16:5, Jesus warns to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees. They represent false people that pretend to be Christians. Can you see it?

In Matthew 18:21–35, Jesus tells a parable that exposes the danger of harboring unforgiveness. In the story, a servant is forgiven for his great debt by a king, but then refuses to forgive others who owe him a great debt as well. Jesus uses this parable to show that unforgiveness is poison to our souls. It hardens our hearts against others, turns wounds into bitterness, and bitterness into bondage. But forgiveness is freedom. Jesus invites us to forgive not merely for our hearts, but from our hearts and ultimately to our hearts—receiving His forgiveness so deeply that it transforms the way we see and treat others.

What does it look like to worship Jesus when everyone around you thinks you're wasting your time?In Matthew 26:1-13, we see two opposite responses to Jesus. Religious leaders plot His death in secret, thinking they're in control. But Jesus knows exactly when He'll die—on Passover, according to the Father's plan. Then there's Mary, who pours out expensive perfume on Jesus in extravagant worship. The disciples call it wasteful. Jesus calls it beautiful.Mary's name means three things: rebellious, bitter, and beloved. And if we're going to follow Christ, we need to be like Mary—rebelling against evil, making people bitter with our worship, and knowing we're deeply loved by God.In this episode, we break down:* Why Jesus was in control even when His enemies thought they had the upper hand* What Mary's extravagant worship teaches us about loving Jesus* How to keep worshiping even when people around you don't understand* The connection between knowing you're beloved and living boldly for ChristIf you're facing opposition, persecution, or people who think your faith is “too much,” this message is for you.

What does it look like to worship Jesus when everyone around you thinks you're wasting your time?In Matthew 26:1-13, we see two opposite responses to Jesus. Religious leaders plot His death in secret, thinking they're in control. But Jesus knows exactly when He'll die—on Passover, according to the Father's plan. Then there's Mary, who pours out expensive perfume on Jesus in extravagant worship. The disciples call it wasteful. Jesus calls it beautiful.Mary's name means three things: rebellious, bitter, and beloved. And if we're going to follow Christ, we need to be like Mary—rebelling against evil, making people bitter with our worship, and knowing we're deeply loved by God.In this episode, we break down:* Why Jesus was in control even when His enemies thought they had the upper hand* What Mary's extravagant worship teaches us about loving Jesus* How to keep worshiping even when people around you don't understand* The connection between knowing you're beloved and living boldly for ChristIf you're facing opposition, persecution, or people who think your faith is “too much,” this message is for you.