In our passage two weeks ago, our Lord began instructing His men on one of the main, base characteristics His followers ought to have: humility. He began with our humility as aliens in living in a dark, lost world. What should our perspective and attitude be like among the lost? That's what He taught us two weeks ago. Then, last Sunday, Jesus shifted His focus away from our humility in the world, to our humility in the Church, among one another.

Today, He continues teaching us humility, but now not so much regarding how we enter into His family, but how we receive and help new comers as they do.

If you're able, please open your copy of God's Holy Word to Matthew, chapter 18, as we focus together on verses four through nine.

Today's passage:

5 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.7 “Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! 8 And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire. -Matthew 18.5-9 (esv)

Christian, do you know how to act and live as an alien-citizen in this world? Our Lord answered that question in last week's passage.

This week He turns His attention onto how we are to act and live as siblings in the family of God.

In both cases, humility is essential. Would you describe yourself as humble, perhaps moreso than most? Careful! That's a bit of a trick question. The moment we start comparing ourselves to others, rest assured, our pride is captaining the ship, not the humility of Christ. Even Jesus' closest disciples struggled greatly with pride and humility. How about you?

If you're able, please join us in your copy of God's Word, Matthew 18, verses one through four.

Today's passage:

18:1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. -Matthew 18.1-4 (esv)

Peter had just come down the Mount of Transfiguration where Jesus' whole body shown like the sun, where Moses the Law and Elijah the Prophet met with Him face to face, where the heavenly Father Himself declared 'This is My Beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him!' The Father left no doubt: Jesus is the absolute unique One, the Son of God.

And yet... and yet... this very Son--by whom and for whom and through whom all things were made--so humbled Himself to become one of us. Such incredible humility is the pattern set for Peter, for Paul, for us all.

Join us in your copy of God's Word today. There is way more to Matthew 17.24-27 than just talk of taxes.

Today's passage:

24 When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the tax?” 25 He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?” 26 And when he said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. 27 However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.” -Matthew 17.24-27 (esv)

22 As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, 23 and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were greatly distressed. -Matthew 17.22-23 (esv)

Back in Matthew chapter ten, Jesus had given His disciples authority to heal the sick, to exorcise demons. In our passage today we meet a desperate man whose son is stricken with epilepsy caused by demon possession. He had sought out the disciples for help, but they weren't able to help. They appear to be as shocked as we might be to discover their powerlessness, despite Jesus' investment in them. Just what are we to make of that?

If you're able, please turn to Matthew chapter 17 in your copy of God's Word. Let's begin our study in verse 14.

Today's passage:

14 And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and, kneeling before him, 15 said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. 16 And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.” 17 And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” -Matthew 17.14-20 (esv)

Ever heard such good news that you just couldn't keep it to yourself?

In our passage last week, three of Jesus' closest disciples had an experience: they beheld the transfigured Christ in His pre-incarnate glory. Amazing!

But then came Jesus' next words: "Don't tell anybody." Yikes! What a tough row to hoe!

Well, actually, there is a bit more to it than just that.

If you're able, join us in your copy of God's Word: Matthew 17.9-13.

Today's passage:

9 And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.” 10 And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” 11 He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. 12 But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist. -Matthew 17.9-13 (esv)

On the heels of informing His men of His coming crucifixion and their need to follow Him there, the Messiah takes up the mission of encouraging His men. They've no reason to fear or doubt, and God the Father will cameo the scene to assure them.

You can't blame the boys for being fearful. Their Master just told them that the way to life is death; and it's no different for His followers still today.

So where are we to find the courage to die daily? Join us today in chapter 17 of Matthew's account of the Gospel!

Today's passage:

17:1 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” 8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. -Matthew 17.1-8 (esv)

The story of the Resurrection may have culminated on the third day after Jesus' crucifixion, but it certainly didn't originate there. His death for our sin wasn't just a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The glorious Trinity planned the redemption of man through the death and resurrection of the Son of Man from before time began.

Join us today as we canvas the Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, testifying of God's glorious plan to rescue the son's of men from His wrath, our sin, and eternal hell with our enemy.

To God be the glory, great things He has done! Happy Resurrection Sonday!

Two weeks ago, Peter made the Great Confession on behalf of the disciples. Of Jesus, he said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus' response? "Blessed are you Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in Heaven."

On the heals of Peter's Great Confession two weeks ago, last week we saw that same disciple--the Rock upon whose witness and ministry Jesus would build His Church--receive a Great Rebuke from Jesus: "Get behind Me, Satan."

So, two weeks ago, "The Disciple's Great Confession," last week "The disciples Great Rebuke", and now this week, "The Great Call of Every Disciple: No Cross, No Crown."

Could it be that our lives look so little like our Lords because we're seeking a fictitious Christianity that excludes our own daily cross?

If you're able, please open a copy of God's Word, and join us for Matthew 16, verses 24-28.

Today's passage:

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.” -Matthew 16.24-28 (esv)

On the heels of Peter's great confession, comes evidence of great confusion still. He may have been persuaded of Jesus' identity as the Messiah, but he still had a long way to go in his understanding of God's plans to redeem the world from sin through the suffering of His Servant, Jesus the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Has Jesus confused you? Have you ever read some of His words and found yourself trying to explain them away or find some alternative meaning that watered down His message? Well, you're not alone.

But by grace, our prayer for today, as we listen to God's Word, is for the Spirit Holiness to lead us into all truth, no matter the cost to us, no matter the cost to Him.

Today's passage:

21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” -Matthew 16.21-23 (esv)