Podcasts about scripture matthew

Daily Dose of Hope May 28, 2025 Day 3 of Week 8   Scripture - Matthew 5:38-48   Prayer:  Almighty Father, Thank you for loving us despite our many faults.  Thank you for showing us a different way of doing life.  Help us seek holiness in all we do.  Help us become the people you desire us to be.  As we work through today's Scripture and devotional, I pray that you speak to our hearts.  Help us see things differently.  We want to hear from you.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we are back in the Sermon on the Mount and learning more about what it means to live in the Kingdom of God.  We are finishing up Matthew 5.   The first portion of this Scripture is regarding an eye for an eye.  It was said an eye for an eye, but now I tell you to turn the other cheek.  I want to be clear, Jesus is not saying that we should never resist those who are trying to harm us.  He isn't say to be Christian doormats.  The Old Testament law about taking an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth actually promoted justice rather than vengeance.  If someone gives you a black eye, you can't then break their leg or kill them.  Jesus was also all about justice.  What exactly is he requiring of us?   Let's talk about what it means to turn the other cheek.  We think of a slap as a pretty terrible thing.  If someone slapped me, I would really be taken aback and consider it an assault.  Not so much in Jesus' day.  A slap on the cheek would have been an insult but not an assault.  Jesus specifically mentioned a right-cheek slap, which would have indicated a backhand slap.  That was a real insult, it was the kind of slap someone would give to a person beneath them.  It was patronizing and demoralizing.  By turning the other cheek, it challenged the offender to now strike the left cheek with an open palm.  And open palm slap, at that time, was something done to an equal.  Basically, turning the other cheek means that the victim is not taking the backhanded slap as a form of condescending shame.  They will face their offender face on, forcing them to either back down or treat them as an equal.   Then, we have Jesus saying that if someone wants to sue you for your shirt, give them your coat as well.  The shirt would have been the inner garment and the coat the outer garment.  The Old Testament law allowed someone, usually a poor person, to use their coat as collateral for a loan.  But it also required the lender to give it back by nighttime in case they get cold.  To give up the coat voluntarily would have been extraordinary.  Jesus is challenging people to think creatively in responding to an evildoer.  It forces the greedy person to confront what they doing.  It also provides a stark contrast between the one who is greedy and the one who is exceedingly generous.  In God's Kingdom, generosity is the virtue.    This is the thing: In God's Kingdom, things are turned upside down.  We don't respond to violence with more violence or greed with more greed.  We resist those things in creative ways.  This does not mean being victims or getting walked all over.  It means asserting power differently.    One of the most intriguing of the teachings is to love our enemies. This would have been unheard of in first-century Palestine. Love your enemies? What? Jesus' basis for this teaching is founded in God's own nature. God is, first and foremost, a God of love. He gives sun and rain to the good and the evil alike. He does not discriminate. Nor should we. The Pharisees cast judgment on others but we are not to do the same. We should seek to be perfect, as God is perfect, to have a heart willing to love those who seem to be unlovable.   Be honest with yourself. Who have you deemed unlovable? Spend some time with God reconciling this.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope May 27, 2025 Day 2 of Week 8   Scripture - Matthew 5:13-37   Prayer:  Holy God, We rejoice and give praise for the ways you care for us.  We rejoice and give praise for how you continue to forgive us and give us second and third chances.  Help us seek lives characterized by your holiness.  Help us seek pure hearts.  Lord, in these next few moments of silence, hear our prayers and help us bring together all our scattered thoughts and focus on you...It's in your name we pray, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we are working on part 2 of Matthew 5, as we continue to discuss the Sermon on the Mount.    Today's portion of Scripture begins with a discussion of salt and light. Jesus tells his followers, “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.” During Jesus' time, salt was extremely important. It was a seasoning, a preservative, a disinfectant, a component of ceremonial offerings, and because of its value, it was even used as a unit of exchange.   So what is Jesus saying here? He is telling his followers that God's people should add some flavor and value to this world. If salt loses its saltiness or flavor, then it's useless. If we lose our ability to change or influence the world, then are we useless? Well, we certainly lose what is at the heart of being a Christ-follower - making a difference for the Kingdom. We are meant to change the world around us for the better in the name of Jesus Christ.   Jesus continues, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden.” Salt improves food because it tastes different from what its being placed on. In the same way, light is useful to have because it is different from darkness. Light casts out darkness. Light makes a difference. If light is hidden, it loses what makes it valuable. Likewise, if we fail to be different in a positive way from the culture around us, then we are Christians in name only.   So what does this mean in practical ways?  Well, we are to be change agents, going out and doing all we can to bring God's Kingdom values here, right now. Remember what we say in the Lord's Prayer, “His kingdom come, his will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” The disciples and the early Christian church took these words seriously. The early Christian church lived in a way, lived a lifestyle, that was so distinctly different from the world, that the world could not help but notice it. They lived out the values of the Kingdom. Acts 2:42-47 reads, “They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, the the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” The earliest Christians were completely transformed by the teachings of Jesus Christ and his values. They were salt and they were light, they added true value and made a significant difference.   Here's several questions for us to consider today.  How are we, as modern-day Christians, salt and light for a hurting world?  How are we similar to the early church and how are we different?  What are some concrete steps you can take today to be salt and light in your world?   Then, Matthew chose to include Jesus' teaching on the fulfillment of the law.  He came not to change the law but to fulfill it.  But what does that mean?  Jesus is not talking about the law in the sense of the 613 rules that must be followed by faithful Jews.  If we think about this teaching being in the context of the Sermon on the Mount, in which Jesus in giving his followers specific guidelines for what it means to relate to God and others in the Kingdom, then that helps.  Afterall, the law and the prophets have long described relating to God and other people in a loving, just way.  Here, Jesus is saying that he will obey the law, but he really is fulfilling it by fulfilling the whole Biblical story.    Ever since Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, God was on a mission to redeem his creation.  The law couldn't do it because humans couldn't keep it.  We are just too sinful.  The law demonstrated to us just how messy and broken we are.  Jesus was the solution to our brokenness.  Jesus was the solution to humanity's deepest problems.  He was the final sacrifice for sin – he very much fulfilled the law, he fulfilled the whole Biblical story, by providing a solution to our sin and victory over death.  The law wasn't intended to be the end all be all.  Jesus was intended to be the end all be all.   I want to leave a little time to cover what Jesus said about murder and adultery.  Both of these teachings show some unique aspects of life under the Kingdom of God.  They follow a similar pattern.  It was said...but now I tell you this...  Jesus is presenting his followers with a whole new way of looking at the world. He isn't dismissing the Old Testament teaching, he is simply reinterpreting it.   In the case of murder, it was said that you should not commit murder, but Jesus is saying that you shouldn't even be angry with a brother or sister.  Don't call someone names, forgive frequently, and settle disputes quickly.  That is the way of life in God's Kingdom.  If we act differently, then it's not God's Kingdom we are part of.   In the case of adultery, it was said you should not commit adultery, but Jesus is saying that you can't look at another person lustfully if they aren't your spouse.  And then there is this really hard teaching about gouging out an eye if it causes you to sin or lopping off a hand if it causes you to sin.  I'm quite sure this was hyperbole because we don't have too many reports of one-eyed, one-handed believers of Jesus in the first century.    But in all of these things, Jesus is making a point.  What is in your heart matters.  It isn't just outward behavior that matters to God, but the purity of your heart.   So, here are our final questions for us today and they are not easy ones.  What is the state of your heart?  Are you harboring anger, bitterness, or unforgiveness, toward someone?  It is time to spend some time with God and work through that.  Is lust something you struggle with?  It is time to spend some time with God and work through that too.  Our hearts matter, friends.  They matter a lot.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Join us as we continue our series, After the Resurrection. This week, we focus on the great commission in which Jesus gives His followers a mission to make disciples of all nations.Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20

Daily Dose of Hope May 26, 2025 Day 1 of Week 8   Scripture - Matthew 5:1-12   Prayer:  Almighty God, We come to you today with humble hearts.  We are broken and we need you.  Help us set aside our scattered thoughts and focus on you this morning.  Help us set aside distractions so we might hear your voice.  In these next few moments of silence, Lord, help us just focus on Jesus...In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back, everyone, to the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we begin the Sermon on the Mount, a block of Jesus' teaching that is pretty life-changing; these are teachings that emphasize purity of heart.  While the Sermon on the Mount runs neatly from chapter 5-7 in Matthew's Gospel, the reality is that this teaching probably took place over several days.  Matthew then organized it into sections and presented it in a way that he felt made the most sense, emphasizing the most critical parts of Jesus' teaching.   I want us to think about to whom Jesus was speaking.  He was on a mountain, preaching mainly to Jewish farmers and laborers, people who had truly been hurt by the Roman oppression.  They are tired of being bullied, mistreated, and facing such a heavy tax burden.  Those who live in Galilee were often seen as unclean by the Pharisees and Sadducees, as well, because of their ethnic diversity.  These are people who are being hit hard from all sides.  They are eagerly awaiting the Messiah, the one who will save them.   The portion of Scripture we are covering today is called the Beatitudes.  The word “beatitude” means to be blessed.  And when we dig further, the term blessed is to be full of honor.  So, contrary to what culture says, Jesus is saying these specific groups are to be honored.  In the Kingdom of God, groups that would not normally be honored will be.  God's economy is different.  That being said, who does Jesus say should be honored?   -The poor in spirit – This may include those who were economically poor (most of Jesus' audience would have been) but also those who were socially poor, such as without family or standing.  When you were poor, you were not able to defend what was yours. The poor in spirit also indicates people who are humble, dependent on God, and have a desperate need for him. This would not have been a group that the culture at large would have found honorable at all, but Jesus says they will gain the Kingdom of Heaven.   -Those who mourn – In a society such as theirs, mourning would have been a fairly common experience.  Death and illness would be have been a regular occurrence. It is estimated that half of all children died before their first birthday.  The life expectancy was around 35 but that number is skewed because of the high level of child deaths.  Basically, there were a lot of grieving moms. Jesus says that those who mourn are worthy of honor and will be comforted.   -The meek – Those who are meek demonstrate strength and integrity through gentle, kind, submissive behavior.  They are not aggressive.  This would not have been an attribute the rest of society would have honored and yet, Jesus does.  He says they will inherit the earth.   -Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure at heart, the peacemakers, and those who are persecuted for righteousness – I recognize that these attributes are not all the same but for the sake of today's discussion, I'm going to lump this group together.  These people would have been justice-seekers.  They speak up for the vulnerable.  To be a peacemaker is one who actively works to resolve conflicts.  To be merciful is to extend forgiveness to those who have wronged you.  All require a certain humility and purity of heart to care for others more than yourself.  And Jesus highly values them.   Jesus closes out this section by saying that there is another group who should also be honored – those who experience persecution for his sake; those who are insulted or harmed because of their faith in Jesus.  Great is their reward in heaven.  I think about the people of great faith over many centuries who have been burned at the stake, fed to hungry lions, or been sentenced to death by firing squad.  Many who should have been honored were killed.  Such is the state of our broken world.  Let's remember those Christians around the globe who are still being persecuted.  And Jesus himself said it would occur.    What are we to make of the beatitudes?  They certainly give us a barometer of sorts for our own lives.  How is your heart?  What are the things you really value?  Do you put the needs of others before yourself?  Are you merciful?  Do you stand up for the vulnerable (not just in theory but in practical ways)?  Do you sit with those who mourn so they will receive Jesus' comfort through you?  Are you humble?   Today's devotional isn't that long.  I hope you will take some time to read through the Beatitudes again.  Think about every group that Jesus says will be honored.  Are you part of that group?  Do you honor those attributes?  These go contrary to what our society honors as well.  But we are to be different.  Dig deep here, friends.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Today, we have two messages as we continue our Sermon on the Mount series. Jimmy Cleary and Andy Rosse each unpack one of the most sobering passages in Scripture — Matthew 7:21-23 — revealing the uncomfortable truth that religious activity alone doesn't secure eternity.We're challenged to examine our hearts honestly: Are we relying on empty religious activities, or do we have a daily habit of repentance and a genuine relationship with Christ? If you've ever felt uncertain about your standing with God or questioned whether your life reflects your beliefs, this message offers clarity and hope.Thank you for listening to this message from Northwest Hills Community Church in Corvallis, Oregon, on May 25, 2025, at 8:30am & 10:15am. You can find us online at nwhills.com.Key Moments00:00 Welcome01:03 Jimmy's Message: Justified or Just Pretending?06:05 Understanding Matthew 7:21-2312:54 The Concept of Justification and Sanctification22:25 The Importance of Repentance32:58 Andy's Message: Knowing Jesus vs. Knowing About Jesus35:38 The Passage and Its Misinterpretations39:12 Reading and Reflecting on Matthew 7:21-2355:15 The Importance of a Personal Relationship with Jesus01:00:07 Practical Steps to Know Jesus More

Scripture: Matthew 12:38-40

Daily Dose of Hope May 23, 2025 Day 5 of Week 8   Scripture - Matthew 4:12-25   Prayer:  Holy God, We come to you today with expectancy.  We need to hear your voice.  We need to feel your presence.  Lord Jesus, we know that we are weak.  Our lives are incomplete and empty without you.  Our world is nothing without you.  Help us go through this day remembering that we belong to you.  With your Spirit in us, we have power.  With your Spirit in us, we can be bold and courageous.  We give you our day, Lord.  Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Happy Friday, everyone!  Today, we are finishing up Matthew, chapter 4.    Jesus' public ministry begins after his time in the wilderness and after the arrest of John the Baptist.  We don't know how Jesus felt about John's arrest, as Matthew doesn't give us that information, but we know they were first cousins and may have been close.  We also know that John's arrest foreshadows Jesus' own.   The Scripture for today says that Jesus moves from Nazareth to Capernaum.  Could it have been John's imprisonment that led Jesus to move?  We don't really know.  Capernaum was a fishing town on the Sea of Galilee and it becomes Jesus' base of operations.  It's strategic location also allowed Jesus to reach a wider audience and travel more easily.  Matthew points out that what Jesus was doing was also a fulfillment of prophecy from Isaiah 9.  Remember, Matthew is weaving in this theme of Jesus as the Messiah from the line of David, the one who the Jews have been waiting for.    Next, Jesus begins to call his first disciples.  I think it's hard for us to imagine how abruptly these four men responded to Jesus.  While there was probably more back story here that we aren't privy to, the reality is that they left everything to follow Jesus.  They left all human sources of security, all human goals and aspirations to respond to a call by God.  They left their jobs and probably their families to respond to a call, and did so as far as we can tell, without hesitation or doubt.   Could we do the same?  God calls each and every one of us but we still hold on to various aspects of the world.  How often do we fully and completely let go of everything to simply follow Jesus?  This is the demand of the kingdom of God–turn away from the kingdom of the world and give all to a bigger, deeper purpose.  Stop worrying so much about fishing for money, power, or admiration and simply fish for people.  We may live 2000 years later but this is our mission and call as well.  Do you believe this?  Are you ready to say yes?   It's right after this that Jesus begins his ministry.  He travels around the region to heal the sick and proclaims the Kingdom of God.  He preached in synagogues too.  But all kinds of people followed Jesus.  It says those from Syria, Judea, Jerusalem, and even the Decapolis (those would have been the pagans), brought their sick to Jesus and then followed him.  That means very early on, there were both Jews and Gentiles who were getting a picture of God's Kingdom.  Very early on, Jesus was crossing boundaries.    Let's end by talking a bit about the Kingdom.  What does it mean that Jesus was proclaiming the Kingdom of God?  This is actually a really important point.  Bear with me here, because I'm going to go back a bit.  God's mission from the beginning was to redeem his world and restore it to its intended purpose.   We see throughout scripture how God's plan unfolds. First, he pours himself into the nation of Israel, revealing his character, shaping a new kind of people. But, if you've read the Old Testament, you know what happens. Israel repeatedly disobeys God and eventually rebels against God until there is no turning back. And just when we think all is lost, God speaks through the prophets and the next part of his mission begins to unfold. He says, “It may seem like things are hopeless now but they aren't because someday, I'm going to send someone who will restore the people of Israel to me. This person will be a light to the Gentiles, and will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth and it will be obvious once more that your God reigns.” Then, 600 years after that prophecy in Isaiah, in God's perfect timing, his mission becomes more full and complete through the person of Jesus Christ who fulfilled this promise of reconciliation and “making things right again.”   Central to Jesus' ministry was the announcement of God's reign, that God's Kingdom was here. Think about Mark 1:15, Jesus says, “The time promised by God has come at last!” In Luke 4, we read that Jesus announces, “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” and then later in that same chapter, “I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” Because that is why he was sent - to proclaim the GOOD NEWS of the Kingdom of God.    So what is the Kingdom of God?  Sorry it took me so long to get here. The Kingdom of God is anywhere that God reigns and his values are at work, anywhere where the world is working in the way that God always intended it to work. This means the Kingdom of God is present when values like justice, mercy, forgiveness, hope for the poor and oppressed, compassion, righteousness, are lived out by God's people.   What Jesus was saying, and I want you to understand how radical and revolutionary this was at the time, is that the Kingdom of God is here. He was saying that he represents the Kingdom. He represents a new way of doing life, a new way of being human, a way of doing life that demonstrates the reign of God. And so everything he does–all his miracles, all his parables---they were all intended to show what the Kingdom of God is like, what the new way of being human is all about.   Why did Jesus feed people? Because in God's Kingdom, in the kind of world that God always intended for us to have, there is no hunger. In God's Kingdom, there is no sickness, so Jesus healed people. In God's Kingdom, there is no discrimination, so he elevated the status of those who were rejected by society. He ate with the people that everyone else hated–the tax collectors and the prostitutes–because in God's Kingdom, every single human life has value. In God's Kingdom, there is justice, mercy, and love. Thus, he offered acceptance. He offered love in everything he did, ultimately giving up his life in the greatest act of love in the history of the world.   Jesus' ministry was not just about getting individuals right with God. That was part of it but certainly the good news of the Kingdom is more than “you can go to heaven when you die.” It's “you can be reconciled to God now. You can live under the reign of Christ and live life abundant.” Yes, Christ came to ensure individual salvation but it was one part of something much bigger. By dying on the cross and being raised from the dead, there was final victory over sin and the barrier between heaven and earth was broken for good.   Enough for today.  You can see I might be just a teensy bit passionate about this.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki      

SCRIPTURE- Matthew 6:26-27"Look at the birds in the air. They do not sew or reap or stow away in barns, and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they."REFLECTION- LaurenMUSIC- "Do Not Worry" by Ellie HolcombNOTES-

Daily Dose of Hope May 22, 2025 Day 4 of Week 8   Scripture – Matthew 4:1-11   Prayer:  Holy and Almighty Father, We come to you today with humble hearts.  We know we are broken and need you.  We are weak.  We are vulnerable to temptation.  Lord, fill us with your strength.  Give us your stamina and wisdom.  We can't do this life without you, Lord.  It's in the powerful name of Jesus we pray, Amen.   Welcome back, everyone, to the daily devotional that complements New Hope Church's Bible reading plan.  This is the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we begin Matthew 4.   In the first portion of this chapter, Jesus is led into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan.  The Judean wilderness doesn't look like a forest, by any means.  Rather, it is dry, rocky, and hot.  It is more like a desert with rocks.  Let's start by envisioning that.    The first big question is why did the Spirit lead Jesus into the wilderness knowing what would happen?  We can assume that this is part of getting Jesus ready for his public ministry.  Jesus has the credentials and the authority, but now he gets to have the experience of coming face to face with evil.  Consider this: He has just been baptized and the Spirit is with him.  Afterall, the Spirit didn't leave him in the desert.  But he then allows himself to be made weak with lack of food.  Remember, Jesus was God but he was also human.  He allows himself to be made physically weak for this purpose – to demonstrate that he could still resist temptation.   Now, he is ready to face his main adversary.  And as you read this, notice that the devil is never in control of the situation.  Jesus is.  He may be weak, tired and hungry, but he is totally in control.  Jesus is strong and ready for each and every temptation.  In this scene, Jesus gives us a powerful picture of how to go into a spiritual battle, leaning totally and completely on the Word of God.    What were the temptations?  There is the temptation to make stones into bread (remember, he was fasting), the temptation to hurl himself down from the top of the Temple and have God rescue him, and the temptation to have political leadership over all the Kingdoms of the world.  Satan's temptations get immediately to the core question of Jesus' identity, calling into question his relationship with God by beginning with, “If you are the Son of God….” This relationship, announced earlier at his baptism, is now confirmed through Jesus' unwavering trust in God.   These temptations in the wilderness are not one-time experiences, they are tests that are preparing Jesus for his earthly ministry.  Jesus is going to be confronted with all kinds of evil.  He will cast out demons.  He will battle Satan on many fronts.  He will face all kinds of physical and emotional pain.  Think about the cross.  This is good news for us.  Jesus has, after all, already gone before us into the most forsaken places in the wilderness.  Jesus has been tempted and won the victory over temptation and Satan.  We can too, with his help.  But he isn't asking us to go anywhere he hasn't already been.   Spiritual warfare is real. At least a quarter of Jesus' ministry dealt specifically with the conflict between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of darkness.  Jesus was God with flesh on and he came to crush Satan under his feet.  On the cross, Jesus has won the victory and the ultimate divine victory is not in doubt.  But the spiritual forces of evil have not totally conceded.  We live in this in between time.  Victory in Jesus Christ is ours.  In the spiritual sense, we possess everything necessary as Kingdom people, we are children of God, redeemed, reconciled, and make right in Christ.  That being said, in this in between time, there will still be spiritual warfare, there are still difficult battles to be fought, there will still be destruction, and there will be casualties.  The apostle John wrote in I John 5:19, “We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.”   And so the church stands its ground and uses everything God has equipped her with to resist evil.  In today's passage, Jesus gives us a great example of how to do this.    When it comes to spiritual warfare, here are some things to consider:   -God has an enemy who is committed to working against his people and his work in this world.    -This isn't really our battle.  It is God's battle.  We are simply joining him in this mission of fighting back darkness.  And we have nothing to fear in the midst of it, as long as we stay close to Jesus.  It's when we start wondering off on our own that we may have problems.  So, submit yourself to God.  The enemy wants to keep you from growing in your walk with Jesus.  Give yourself over to God; stay focused on him.    -As believers, we aren't to go on the offensive but rather to be prepared for a defensive battle.  Stand firm in doing good and obeying God's will.  Stay faithful.  When you do that, you are pushing back darkness. Don't be surprised if the enemy tries to trip you up and make you ineffective.  Keep proclaiming Jesus but expect opposition.  Anytime we do something significant for the Kingdom, expect opposition.    -God will give us the equipment and strength we need to stay strong.  God provides us with everything we need, the Bible, the armor, the protection, and the prayer connection.   -Be careful not to open yourself up to things that are not of God.  There are some things that we think are kind of harmless, like psychics, tarot cards, Ouija boards, crystals, a lot of the new age stuff.  While some of it might have no power, some of it does.  I've known of people who had really powerful and scary experiences with some of this.  At times, it can be really accurate.  Please know that power doesn't come from God.  As Christians, we should not be exposing ourselves to anything that is remotely evil; it isn't something to play around with.  It's serious.    I truly think Satan's attacks are getting more intense at the same time that many western Christians are not taking spiritual warfare seriously at all.  Satan rejoices in self-centered Christianity.  Satan loves the fact that so many of our churches could care less about leading people to Jesus.  But we are at war – we are at war for the souls of our children, our grandchildren, and our greatgrandchildren.  If the Kingdom of Darkness makes the church ineffective, then they are winning the battle.  And the casualties are really huge.    Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Daily Dose of Hope May 21, 2025 Day 3 of Week 8   Scripture – Matthew 3   Prayer: Amazing Father and Lord, Thank you for who you are.  Thank you for how you care for us.  We get distracted.  We veer away from you and your Word.  For that, we are so very sorry.  Forgive us, Lord.  Help us to abide in you.  Help us to remain close so that we can be fruitful and effective for your Kingdom.  Help us get outside ourselves and see others as you see them.  Lord, we belong to you.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we are taking a look at Matthew 3.   Matthew begins by quoting from the book of the prophet Isaiah about a messenger who would be sent ahead of Jesus to prepare the way for him.  And this person, Scripture says, is John the Baptist.  We learn from reading other Gospels that John the Baptist is actually Jesus' first cousin.    The whole Judean countryside came out to see John the Baptist.  Picture this, masses of people were leaving their villages and coming into the wilderness (which looks more like desert than forest) to get baptized by John.  But why?  I mean, he was a weird dude, wearing camel hair and eating locusts dipped in wild honey.  He had taken a vow of poverty.  Maybe they wanted to check out this really bizarre guy but that doesn't explain everything.  John was offering them something they desperately needed – good news, forgiveness, cleansing.  And the good news he offered wasn't that they would receive something good when they die, but that there is good news, there is hope, for life right now.  And remember, these were dark days.  The people were yearning for hope.   He also calls out the Pharisees and Sadducees.  He knows their hearts are evil so he refers to them as a brood of vipers.  Vipers are venomous so John is not hiding his dislike.  He is saying that the Pharisees (the religious teachers) and the Sadducees (the wealthy Jewish aristocracy) are evil, deceitful, hypocritical, and connected to Satan.  Those are fighting words. It's surprising John didn't get in trouble right then and there.    But then John says something interesting.  He says that someone else is coming, one more powerful than him, whose sandals he is not worthy to stoop down and untie. That's pretty extreme. I mean, slaves were typically the ones who untied sandals because they were so filthy.  And John says that while he baptizes with water, the one coming after him will baptize with the Holy Spirit.  For those who were listening to John, this may have been scary.  What kind of person would John feel so humbled by?    And then, we meet him.  It's Jesus, whose birth we have just heard about.  He comes to John to be baptized.  John is hesitant.  He knows that Jesus should be baptizing him.  But he relents.  John knows that this needs to happen. Remember, Matthew is clearly pointing out here that Jesus is Messiah and the fulfillment of prophecy for the Jews. Then, there is this beautiful scene, depicting the Trinity, in which God the Father announces his approval of God the Son and then God the Holy Spirit descends as a dove.  There is a voice from heaven, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”   Before we move on in Matthew, let's spend a little bit of time talking about repentance.  The people were coming to John to confess their sins, repent, and receive cleansing.  Every single one of us need that.  When is the last time you have spent time in confession and repentance?  Talk to God right now.  Receive the ultimate cleansing as only he can give.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki

In this message, Jesus will issue two sobering warnings concerning the path to the Kingdom of Heaven: those who will seek to deceive us concerning salvation and that of our own self-deception. In doing so, we'll consider the implications of those warnings and find encouragement to remain steadfast on the path of Jesus and His righteousness that comes by grace through faith.   Scripture: Matthew 7:15-23

Daily Dose of Hope May 20, 2025 Day 2 of Week 8   Scripture – Matthew 2   Prayer:  Dear God, You are amazing!  How awesome it is that you who created all things are also so intimately involved in our lives.  We give you glory and praise for who you are.  We are so thankful for your love.  We want to know you more.  We want and need to hear your voice.  Help us set aside our scattered thoughts and focus on you.  In these next few moments of silence, Lord, hear our prayers...  In Your Name, Amen. Welcome back, friends, to the Daily Dose of Hope, a devotional and podcast connected to the Bible reading plan at New Hope Church in Brandon, FL.  Today, we are digging into Matthew 2.  This is pretty familiar Scripture to many of us.  Let's try to see it with fresh eyes. The text begins with foreign Magi visiting King Herod.  These men are an interesting and mysterious group. We don't really know much about the magi who come seeking Jesus from eastern lands.  Some translations call them wise men or kings.  Matthew doesn't include a lot of details.  We have no idea how many there actually were (despite the popular carol, Scripture does not say there were just three of them).  Like the shepherds, the magi seem an unlikely group to seek out and worship Jesus. They were pagans, gentiles, involved in the occult, and yet they knew there was something more.  They were searching for something more.  So these magi embark on a long journey, carrying expensive gifts worthy of a king, eager to pay homage. Their efforts lead them to an encounter far beyond their expectations. Unlike an earthly king who would have been found in a palace, the magi are led to what we can probably assume is a modest home of a Jewish family and it's there that they find Jesus with his mother and Scripture says they bow down and worship him.  Maybe it wasn't what they expected but they see God's hand in it nonetheless and worship the one they know to be the Messiah, the savior of the world.  They were outsiders but they recognized the Messiah when so many insiders failed to do so. Up until now, it all sounds great, right?  But there is another character in this story.  His name is Herod the Great. The Herod family ruled over the holy land both before and after the time of Christ, they were somewhat like puppet kings, put in place by the Romans to keep order.  And they don't have a great reputation at all.  They were, for the most part, insecure and power-hungry. One reason I don't think it's accurate to refer to the magi as wise men is because they did one thing that was really unwise.  They go straight to King Herod, “So where is the NEW king? Where is the one who has been named king of the Jews?”  Keep in mind, Herod the Great considered himself to be king of the Jews.  The man is insecure and vicious so he tries to trick the magi into divulging Jesus' location.  But no amount of earthly power can get Herod what he wants.  The magi are warned in a dream to not return to Herod.  And this angers him more.  Herod was both feared and hated. The Jewish historian Josephus painted a picture of Herod as a suspicious and cruel client king, with a history of killing anyone whom he saw as a threat, including three sons and his wife. So even though the magi remind Herod of Micah's prophecy that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), his response was not to pay homage but to destroy the newborn king.  In Matthew 2:16, we read that Herod decides to take matters into his own hands and kill all the baby boys who might be in the age range of Jesus, When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.  Truly dark and horrific.  The extent to which human beings will go to gain power surely demonstrates the brokenness of our world.  Then and now.  But through all of this, Jesus is saved.  The baby's family is warned in a dream and they head down to Egypt for a period of time to keep the boy safe from Herod before they come back to Israel and settle in Nazareth.  Because God's purposes will prevail.  God had promised long, long ago to send a Savior for his people and there is nothing that could get in the way.  Listen to this prophecy from in Isaiah 9:6-7, spoken 700 years before the birth of Jesus, For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.  He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.  It's like God was saying “I'm going to send someone who will restore the people of Israel to me.  This person will be a light to the Gentiles, and will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth AND it will be obvious once more that your God reigns.”  No power-hungry king could mess that up as hard as he tried.  No earthly power could thwart God's plan of redemption for his people.  It's true that bad things to happen.  God allows human beings free will and that is too often used for evil.  But that doesn't mean God isn't involved, it doesn't mean he isn't invested, God can and has orchestrated, changed, and/or stopped the plans of all kinds of people to get done what needs to get done.  God has been working, in his time, over the course of thousands of years, to achieve his bigger purpose. And what was the bigger purpose?  God's mission from the beginning was to redeem his world.  He did this through Jesus.  That little baby that the wise men knelt down and worshiped, that child that Herod felt so threatened by --- that child would grow to become the Savior of the world.  He would bring sight to the blind, freedom for the oppressed, he would proclaim good news to the poor.  He would preach the Kingdom of God and show the world a different way of living, ultimately giving up his own life voluntarily on a Roman cross.  In doing so, he became the final sacrifice for sin, providing a way for you and me and all people to be redeemed.  Because of Jesus' sacrifice, our sins can be forgiven and we can walk hand in hand with a holy God.  Because of Jesus, nothing separates us from God.  And then, three days after he died, he was resurrected, defeating evil and death and demonstrating to the world who HE is.  He is, after all, God.  Jesus is the Lord. Jesus is LORD of all.  Paul writes this in Colossians 1:15-20, The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.  Jesus is above all things.  Jesus is Lord. And over the course of 2000 years, rulers and kings and dictators and autocrats have tried to wipe out his influence.  They have misused his teachings, they have twisted the Gospel.  Like Herod, they have done all kinds of things to either try to eliminate the influence of Jesus or to use the Gospel for their own deceitful purposes.  And at times, it's been ugly and violent and really sad.  But this is TRUTH:  God will ensure that his purposes prevail.  Yes, in our sinful and broken world, all kinds of horrors will occur.  Vladimir Putin will think he's invincible.  Kim Jong Un will declare himself supreme ruler.  American politicians will think themselves unshakable.  You and I will experience heartbreak, loss, and illness.  And yet, Jesus is still Lord of all.  God is still working in our lives, God is still present with us in the middle of the mess, and Jesus is still in the business of transforming lives.  Friends, Jesus is on the throne, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  The rulers of the world may oppose him but they are ultimately answerable to him.  Because he will come again. I'll stop there for now.  But I do have to ask this question:  Is Jesus Lord of your life?  More tomorrow. Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Daily Dose of Hope May 19, 2025 Day 1 of Week 8   Scripture – Matthew 1   Prayer:  Almighty God, We come before you on this Monday, as we start a new week, with both humility and gratefulness.  You are so powerful, so holy, and so wise.  We need you.  We seek you.  We are desperate to hear a word from you today, Lord.  We also know that we have failed over and over again.  Lord, forgive us for our sins, for the ways we fall short.  In these next few moments of silence, Lord, hear our prayers...Jesus, help us stay focused on you and your Word today.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back, everyone, to the Daily Dose of Hope, a Deep Dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we start the book of Matthew.  While the author does not identify himself, most scholars agree it was written by Matthew the tax collector.  He actually mentions himself a couple times in the Gospel.  The events in the book take place in the first 40 or so years of the first century.  It was actually written somewhere between 50 and 90AD.   Let's keep in mind that all the Gospel accounts were passed down and taught orally for about 30-40 years before they were written down.  Each Gospel author collected and arranged these accounts to highlight certain themes about Jesus.  Mark, who we just finished, emphasized Jesus' authority.  Matthew, on the other hand, very intentionally uses his Gospel to demonstrate the continuation and fulfillment of the whole Biblical story of God and the people of Israel.  Thus, he emphasizes how Jesus is the Messiah in the line of David, and he focuses on how Jesus is Immanuel (which means in Hebrew, God with us.) Matthew 1 starts with a genealogy.  Sometimes, our inclination is the brush over the genealogies, but this one is pretty unique.  First, we can see the connection between the Old Testament and the birth of Jesus. As we read through the names on the list, we get a picture of God's history of redemption for his people.  Abraham and David are highlights, as both were recipients of God's promises for the people of Israel, significant parts of redemptive history.  Another reason I love this genealogy is that five women are specifically mentioned. This was at a time when women were basically never mentioned in the history of patriarchal societies. And here we are, five very unique and interesting women–Tamar (who was quite tricky to achieve her purpose), Rahab (at one point a prostitute), Ruth (a Moabite), Uriah's wife (Bathsheba), and Mary.   The first four women were Gentiles or married to Gentiles, they were outsiders to a certain extent, and yet they had tenacious faith, the kind that would be critical for faith in Jesus.  This focus on Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba leads to the introduction of Mary.  It's like the author is saying, “Don't discount Mary!”  She may not be who you would expect to be the mother of the Savior of the world but God uses all kinds of people!  God lifts up all kinds of women, those who are proper and those who aren't. What a beautiful reminder that the Gospel is for ALL. Then, we have Joseph's story.  Joseph is probably the most underrated person in the Christmas story. He is like the father of the bride at the wedding. No one notices him yet he gets to help pay for the whole shin-dig. But Joseph is an example of faithful, unquestioning obedience in the middle of fearful, life-altering circumstances.   Scripture says that Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph.  Remember, Mary was a very young girl and was probably very poor.  Joseph would have been older than her.  We tend to think of Joseph as a carpenter but really it's more likely he was a general builder. He was from a kind of backwater, remote area of Palestine. He was probably illiterate (education was generally just for merchants and aristocrats at the time). Both Mary and Joseph were humble people from a very humble part of Israel.   Scripture continues, "before they came together, it was found that Mary was pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit." Joseph, being a righteous man, faithful to the law, didn't want her to be publicly disgraced so he had decided to divorce her quietly. At the time, when one became engaged, it was much more formal than it is today. Most likely, Joseph had made an agreement with Mary's father, perhaps years earlier, to take Mary as his wife. This would have been a binding agreement. In the eyes of the law, they were as good as married already, even though the relationship had not been consummated.   Mary was found to be pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit. Keep in mind that all Joseph knows at this time is that she is pregnant. His fiancé is pregnant and he knows the baby isn't his. We don't think much about Joseph's feelings. We focus a lot on Mary (and rightfully so) but Jospeh must have had all kinds of feelings too.  The whole thing must have been crushing for him. He had hopes and dreams. My guess is that he was hurt and betrayed. Despite that, he doesn't fly into an angry rage or have a desire to hurt Mary even though this would have amounted to adultery in their culture.   Joseph had compassion. He doesn't want to bring additional shame onto Mary if he can help it. Part of this could have been that Joseph was older than Mary. He might have known that a girl of that age didn't really have much control over her sexuality in that culture. Joseph is in a predicament. He wants to be faithful to the law, so he can no longer marry her, but yet he doesn't want to humiliate her either. So he decides to quietly divorce her, not make too much of a big deal about it. Regardless, Mary would face humiliation and be ostracized. That was the nature of the situation.   But before Joseph breaks off the engagement, he goes home and goes to sleep. It's always good to sleep on big decisions. While he is sleeping, an angel of the Lord appears to him in a dream and says, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” And here is the amazing thing. Scripture says that when he woke up, Joseph did what the angel told him and took Mary as his wife. If Joseph had doubts, they weren't recorded. If he made excuses, we certainly don't know about them. It appears he was simply obedient.    It's worth mentioning that the angel tells Joseph not to be afraid to marry Mary because the baby she is carrying was conceived by the Holy Spirit. We know that Mary was risking a lot, but Joseph was also taking big risks here. He also will make some pretty significant sacrifices. People are generally pretty good at counting and they would know that the baby was conceived before they got married. He also faces being ostracized and being an outcast in his community. It was scary! What would their lives look like? What would their families do? What would become of them? Joseph models for us that we can be obedient in spite of fear. He did what was commanded of him, even when it was hard.   Being obedient to God doesn't always look like we want it to look. Let's be real. We want being obedient to God to be a good job with a comfortable salary, a nice home, good schools for our kids, plenty of leisure time and fun activities, a fairly decent social standing, and occasional church attendance. For most of us, if we are honest, that's what we want obedience to God to look like the typical American dream.  But we learn from Joseph is that obedience to God might not always make sense, it might not be popular, and it might not be comfortable.   Obedience to God may also require sacrifice. In the case of Joseph, obedience may have cost him his reputation and his place in the community. We know that later it means he has to drop everything to go to Bethlehem for a census. Then, he has to go to Egypt to keep the baby safe from an evil king. This probably wasn't what Joseph envisioned for his young family.   When God calls us to something, there are often things we have to give up. Joseph gave up stability and safety. Think about what God has called you to. Maybe God has called you to minister to someone and give up your time. Maybe God has called you to share your faith with your neighbor, coworker, or that person at the gym and risk rejection. Maybe God has called you to volunteer in a specific area or give sacrificially to a mission partner. Maybe God has called you to go back to school, change jobs, reconcile with an estranged friend or family member. Maybe God has called you to full-time ministry. However God has called you (and I can guarantee he has called you in some way), it typically involves some kind of sacrifice, discomfort, and hard work. Being obedient to God doesn't always look like we want it to look.   The last thing I'll mention is that God calls us to obey even when we are fearful of the future. This is so hard but God calls us to obey through the fear. We trust that if God has called us to it, God will see us through it. What I've come to learn is that obedience and trust go hand in hand.   Have a wonderful Monday.  We will chat again tomorrow.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki        

https://newsongpeople.com/messages/suffered-crucified-dead-buried-descendedWhat really happened at the cross—and why does it matter for your Monday?In this powerful fourth message of our Life Blood series, we walk deep into the heart of the gospel: the suffering, crucifixion, death, burial, and descent of Jesus. This isn't just history—it's your story. The cross isn't something that just happened to Jesus. It's something that happened because of us—and for us.Pastor [Your Name] unpacks Matthew 27 and the Apostles' Creed to show how Jesus didn't just die for sin—He died for you. To reconcile. To restore. To make you whole. From the brutal reality of the crucifixion to the soul-thirst of spiritual separation, this message shows how Jesus went through hell so you don't have to.Whether you're feeling broken, distant from God, or just going through the motions—this message is an invitation to receive what's free, belong to what's real, and let the gold of grace fill your deepest cracks.

by Brooks Simpson | From the Series: Walking in the Spirit | Scripture: Matthew 26:36-46 Download Audio

"Wake Up Church"Scripture: Matthew 16:13-19Speaker: Prophet Myke Rose

Scripture: Matthew 12:33-37

In this message, Jesus will begin the conclusion of his Sermon on the Mount by looking at the first of 4 sets of choices concerning His Kingdom. In doing so, we'll consider two paths that are presented before us, that we might seek to enter the one Jesus Has provided, that leads to new and everlasting life.   Scripture: Matthew 7:12-14

2025-05-11--1030 Pastor Loran Livingston is the speaker this morning, May 11, 2025, in the 1030 AM service.   Scripture: Matthew 24:1-51   Notes: -There are people that have gown cold towards the Lord; neglecting God and being deceived and deaf to His word. -They listen, but don't hear it. -In the last days, people will leave the faith. -Don't take a chance with your soul, Jesus is coming.

2025-05-11--0830 Pastor Loran Livingston is the speaker this morning, May 11, 2025, in the 830 AM service.   Scripture: Matthew 24:1-51   Notes: -There are people that have gown cold towards the Lord; neglecting God and being deceived and deaf to His word. -They listen, but don't hear it. -In the last days, people will leave the faith. -Don't take a chance with your soul, Jesus is coming.

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30Resources for a life of following Jesus, every day, everywhere, with everyone.

Morning Services- "God's Grace Reflected in a Mother's Love" A mother embraces her child as God embraces and cares for us. Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

Mother Earth, Mother's Day: A Call to Sustainable Action, with Rev. Dr. Steven Koski. Series: This Sweet Earth A Spacious Christianity, First Presbyterian Church of Bend, Oregon. Scripture: Matthew 19.13-15.Join us this Sunday at First Presbyterian, either online or in-person at 8:30 or 10am. We're exploring how our choices today shape tomorrow's possibilities. All are welcome, doubts and questions included.Join us each Sunday, 10AM at bendfp.org, or 11AM KTVZ-CW Channel 612/12 in Bend.  Subscribe/Follow, and click the bell for alerts.At First Presbyterian, you will meet people at many different places theologically and spiritually. And we love it that way. We want to be a place where our diversity brings us together and where conversation takes us all deeper in our understanding of God.We call this kind of faith “Spacious Christianity.” We don't ask anyone to sign creeds or statements of belief. The life of faith is about a way of being in the world and a faith that shows itself in love.Thank you for your support of the mission of the First Presbyterian Church of Bend. Visit https://bendfp.org/giving/ for more information.Keywords:Spacious Christianity, faith journey, diversity, sacred stories, radical love, memorial service, legacy, seventh generation principle, Mother's Day, sustainable future, God's creation, children's welfare, environmental impact, community support, worship service., presbyterian, church, online worship, bend, oregonFeaturing:Rev. Dr. Steven Koski, Rev. Sharon Edwards, Becca Ellis, Brave of Heart, GuestsSupport the show

Scripture: Matthew 18:1-5 The disciples of Jesus have "power problems." Who's going to be greatest? Who's going to sit next to him? And as usual, Jesus has to gently put them in their place. He tells them, Unless you turn around and become like a child you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Jesus brings attention to children because of their social rank--at the very bottom of the hierarchy. Melissa held up the Presbyterian minister and children's TV icon, Mr. Rogers, as someone who took seriously the experiences of children. He treated them with dignity. Jesus tells his disciples to convert to children but Mr. Rogers shows us what that might look like.

Scripture: Matthew 12:22-32

Scripture: Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 2:42-47, I Corinthians 3:6-7The Pulse ExperienceA Network That Beats To The Heart Of GodSermon: The Path To Church Growth God's WayPastor John FowlerSunday, May 11, 2025https://linktr.ee/thepulsewv

• RFK Jr. & Chemtrails: RFK Jr.'s chemtrail pledge dismissed as gaslighting. Cites studies (10% fully believe, 20-30% partially), RFK Jr. suspects DARPA. Realize, there are real geoengineering projects and Monsanto has aluminum-based soil seed patents. • Inhaled mRNA Vaccines: Canadian "Aerovax" could vaccinate populations without consent via atmospheric spraying, just evil • Noahide Laws & Trump: Trump's Pope-like portrayal and Alcatraz reopening consideration smell of Noahide law enforcement. • Political Theater: Politics is scripted to divide; Biden and Trump push AI-driven "beast system." • Economic Hardship: 30-54% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck; Gen Z struggles rise to 69% by 2025. Trump is doing the will of the Bankers to control you. • Pulitzer Photo: Pulitzer-winning Trump bullet photo by Doug Mills (also 9/11 Bush photographer) is so suspect. Do you have eyes to see? • AI & Israel / USA Inc: Meta's AI staff linked to Israel's IDF Ai Experts. Jerusalem seen as the Women of Revelation that sits on seven hills, is called the Great City that crucified Christ called Sodom and Egypt. With USA inc, Isreal is building the "beast system" that will enforce Noahide laws. Underground Bases: A New York Post article cites Catherine Austin Fitts claiming the US built a $21 trillion underground city and 170 bunkers since 1998 for elites to survive a near-extinction event. The host questions if common people might be included for genetic diversity or servitude, linking it to biblical prophecies of elites hiding from God's judgment. Scripture: Matthew 24:29 describes cosmic upheaval post-tribulation, with darkened skies and falling stars. Isaiah 2:19-21 and Revelation 6:16 depict people hiding in caves and rocks from God's wrath, with Isaiah noting they'll abandon idols and Revelation showing them begging rocks to fall on them during the earth's shaking, suggesting futility of such bunkers.

In this message, we will look at Jesus's invitation for us to be persistent in our relationship with God, focusing on our need to need God and the confidence that God will only give us good things.   Scripture: Matthew 7:7-11

Sacred Earth as Spiritual Teacher, with Rev. Dr. Steven Koski. Series: This Sweet Earth A Spacious Christianity, First Presbyterian Church of Bend, Oregon. Scripture: Matthew 6.28; Genesis 1.31.Join us each Sunday, 10AM at bendfp.org, or 11AM KTVZ-CW Channel 612/12 in Bend.  Subscribe/Follow, and click the bell for alerts.At First Presbyterian, you will meet people at many different places theologically and spiritually. And we love it that way. We want to be a place where our diversity brings us together and where conversation takes us all deeper in our understanding of God.We call this kind of faith “Spacious Christianity.” We don't ask anyone to sign creeds or statements of belief. The life of faith is about a way of being in the world and a faith that shows itself in love.Thank you for your support of the mission of the First Presbyterian Church of Bend. Visit https://bendfp.org/giving/ for more information.Featuring:Rev. Dr. Steven Koski, Rev. Sharon Edwards, Becca Ellis, Brave of Heart, GuestsSupport the show

Money stress is real — but it doesn't have to be your master.In this week's message, we unpack what Jesus teaches in Matthew 6 about the connection between your money and your heart. From everyday financial anxiety to the quiet ways money tries to take God's place, this message will help you shift from pressure to peace. Learn how to trust God with your finances, align your heart with His priorities, and take simple, practical steps toward freedom — starting today.

Scripture: Matthew 12:15-21

In a world drowning in anxiety, Jesus offers something radical: freedom from worry. In this powerful message, Pastor Erik Lindeen unpacks one of the most overlooked commands of Jesus—“Do not worry”—and shows us how to actually live it out. From personal stories to practical tools, this sermon explores how faith, trust, and Kingdom priorities can reframe your fears and ground your soul. Whether you're anxious about finances, family, or the future, this message will encourage you to seek first the Kingdom and take life one day at a time.

In this message, we'll look at the role the Christian is to play in making judgments on the character and conduct of others lives. In doing so, we'll also be cautioned against various forms of blind hypocrisy that can exist in our own lives.   Scripture: Matthew 7:1-6

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20; Series: Kingdom Come; Speaker: Monte French, Senior Minister

by Jason Blackley | From the Series: Stand-alone – North Liberty | Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20 Download Audio

When we share our faith, even in little ways, we let the light of God's love shine out into the world. Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16 

We conclude our journey through Matthew in the Different Sermon Series. We're wrapping up with one of the most well-known-and most world-changing-passages in all of Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20. This message is more than just a conclusion. It's an invitation: to examine, to encounter, and maybe even to begin again.

SCRIPTURE-Matthew 10:28"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell."REFLECTION-GerryMUSIC-"Sing to the Mountains" Instrumental-"Sing With All the Saints in Glory" Choral CollectionCONCERT FRIDAY"Alleluia! Love is Alive" by Steve AngrisanoPeople of God, see the morning is newRise from your sleeping and run to the tombCome and see! Come and see! He is alive!A grave that is empty, a promise fulfilledGod who was with us is here with us stillHe is here! He is here! He is alive!Alleluia! Love is aliveConquered the grave and defeated the nightAlleluia! Love is alive!The Son has arisen for allYour people sing alleluia!People of God, let your fear fall awayYour chains have been broken; abandon your shameLift your hearts! Lift your hearts! He is alive!Here now is mercy embracing your soulHere, the fulfillment that once was foretoldIt is true! It is true! He is alive!Alleluia! Love is aliveConquered the grave and defeated the nightAlleluia! Love is alive!The Son has arisen for allYour people sing alleluia!People of God now rejoicing in ChristCarry your joy to the darkness of nightTell the world! Tell the world! He is alive!Hear the good news of this glorious dayEvery heart singing as heaven proclaimsHe is Lord! He is Lord! He is alive!Alleluia! Love is aliveConquered the grave and defeated the nightsAlleluia! Love is alive!The Son has arisen for allAlleluia! Love is aliveConquered the grave and defeated the nightAlleluia! Love is alive!The Son has arisen for allYour people sing alleluia!

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-15; Series: Kingdom Come; Speaker: Monte French, Senior Minister

Scripture:  Matthew 21:1-11 (NIV)Message: If He Said It, He WillPerform ItSpeaker: Pastor S.N. Winston,Jr.        Date: April 13, 2025 Thank you for your continuedgenerosity.  Tithes and offerings can begiven electronically using:Givelify: Download the freeGivelify App from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android)Cashapp: $mtcalmbc33 Follow Mt Calvary Church on socialmedia:Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/mtcalvarynation Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mtcalvarynationTwitter:https://www.twitter.com/mtcalvarynation Access bible education and moreexclusive content on the church's website: https://www.mtcalvarychurch.life

Scripture: Matthew 27:27-66; Series: Kingdom Come; Speaker: Monte French, Senior Minister

For Holy Week, Lead Pastor Kris McDaniel is walking us through the events of the last week of Jesus' life. Today, Kris reflects on Judas's betrayal of Jesus.How much is Jesus' life worth? If Jesus was betrayed by sinful men, then he knows what it is like to be in agony and loneliness. Listen in as Kris teaches us about failure and mercy.Today's Scripture: Matthew 26:1-5; 14-25To find out more about Holy Week at Trinity, visit atltrinity.org/lent.

SCRIPTURE- Matthew 21:12-13 “Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who were selling doves.  He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,' but you make it a den of thieves.'”REFLECTION-PeggyMUSIC-"Were You There" Instrumental-"Crown Him with Many Crowns" InstrumentalNOTES- thegodminute.org/lent

SCRIPTURE- Matthew 11:28"Come to me all you who labor and are burdened and I will give you rest."REFLECTION- Fr. RonMUSIC- "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" Instrumental- "Behold the Lamb" InstrumentalNOTES- thegodminute.org/lent

Kids & Youth Discipleship Pastor Dave McCune and Youth Discipleship Pastor Haley Naylor talk about what it means to align with God emotionally. God profoundly cares about our emotions. So, where do our emotions come from, and what do they tell us about our soul?Today's Scripture: Matthew 16:21-23To find out more about Holy Week at Trinity, visit atltrinity.org/lent.