12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. -Romans12.1-13 (esv)

As we work through the Gospel according to Matthew, it is good for us to remind ourselves regularly the mission he is on, what he is seeking to accomplish: to reveal Jesus the Messiah to his biological brethren, to the Jews who had rejected their Messiah.

But, if Jesus was really God's Son, would God not see fit that His Son not be rejected? If God is sovereign and all-powerful, wouldn't He see to it that His Son be received, cherished, loved and heralded as the King, rather than rejected as a criminal? This just doesn't make sense? Or does it?

Join us today as Matthew continues his mission of revealing Jesus the Messiah, our Lord and Savior.

Today's passage:

10 Then the disciples came and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” 11 And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:“‘You will indeed hear but never understand,and you will indeed see but never perceive.15 For this people's heart has grown dull,and with their ears they can barely hear,and their eyes they have closed,lest they should see with their eyesand hear with their earsand understand with their heartand turn, and I would heal them.’16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 17 For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. -Matthew 13.10-17 (esv)

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Today's passage:

13:1 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, 6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears, let him hear.” -Matthew 13.1-9 (esv)

Ever feel like you're on a religious roller coaster? Sometimes up, sometimes down. If so, could it be that you're on the wrong ride?

In today's passage, the Lord Jesus depicts a frightful state: demonic repossession worse than before. Perhaps you or someone you know has been there before: summer camp or a spiritual retreat found you cleaning house a bit, only to return to sinful vomit in a matter of a couple of weeks.

So what's the answer? If you're in His family, you already know the Answer: Jesus.

Join us today as we seek, once again, to abide in His Word.

Today's passage:

43 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”46 While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. 48 But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” -Matthew 12.43-50 (esv)

In our passage today, Matthew continues his mission of revealing to his biological brethren--his fellow Jews--that Jesus is, indeed, truly their Messiah.

Blind unbelief had their hearts and minds absolutely persuaded that this Galilean-peasant carpenter couldn't possibly be their long-awaited Messiah. But then again, just listen to Him speak! As many had already attested, "He speaks as one with authority, not like our religious leaders." Consider the miracles He has done: healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, raising the dead, casting out demons. Who is like Him? No one!

And yet, unbelief proved a greater desire than surrendering faith. But why?

In today Gospel account, Matthew leverages the failure of a fishy prophet and the faith of a wealthy Queen to further reveal the trustworthiness of Jesus the Messiah.

Today's passage:

38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” 39 But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. 42 The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. -Matthew 12.38-42 (esv)

Have you ever said something you instantly regretted? Of course you have. Who hasn't? Have you ever responded by thinking, or maybe even saying out loud, "I can't believe I said that?" Of course you have. Who hasn't?

But, is it really so hard to believe?

We have in our passage today some of the most sobering of Jesus' Words of judgement upon our hearts and lives: we will be judged by every word that comes from our mouths. Scared yet? We should be! So, just how is the "Good News"?

Let's join Matthew today as he continues proclaiming his account of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Today's passage:

33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” -Matthew 12.33-37 (esv)

What is the call God has on a father's life, and how ought he to lead his family?

Throughout the Scripture, God instructs men on how they are to lead and love their families. Are you a father? How well do you follow God's Word, how well do you lead accordingly? Well, if you're truly making any efforts in His direction, you know good and well how dependent you are upon Him for the grace to do so.

Join us today as we survey several passages regarding the call upon the lives of husbands and fathers in leading their families in Godliness.

29 Or how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. 30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” -Matthew 12.29-37 (esv)

Pride and prejudice will go to amazing lengths in an attempt to justify its foolishness.

In today's passage, the religious leaders offer one of the dumbest suggestions for where Jesus' power over demons comes from. Their logic is completely absurd.

But, here's the catch: apart from God's grace, we're just like them. When our authority is challenged by the Lord's, we come up with all kinds of excuses for justifying our defense against Jesus. Well, not to worry, He not only knows our thoughts, but He also understands our brokenness: why we do what we do. Praise God for the mercy of One who became like us only without sin. He knows that we are weak, feeble and frail. "Wretched man that I am, who can save me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Grab a copy of God's Holy Word and join us in chapter 12 as Matthew continues his proclamation of the Good News of the coming of Jesus the Messiah.

Today's passage:

22 Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of David?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.” 25 Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. 26 And if Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. -Matthew 12.22-28 (esv)

In our passage today, Matthew continues his mission of revealing Jesus the Messiah to his lost family and friends. Like many today, they can get caught up in their religion, but completely miss the Christ.

Today's few verses serve as almost a summary statement, a comparison of Christ's character to those determined to destroy Him.

How do you respond to stress, pressure, opposition? Today we'll see how the Lord responds. As such life and light from God's Word-made-flesh is revealed before our eyes and ears, may we follow the lead of the Lord, and find green pastures upon which to retreat and find rest.

Today's passage:

15 Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all 16 and ordered them not to make him known. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah:18 “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased.I will put my Spirit upon him,and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.19 He will not quarrel or cry aloud,nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets;20 a bruised reed he will not break,and a smoldering wick he will not quench,until he brings justice to victory;21 and in his name the Gentiles will hope.” -Matthew 12.15-21 (esv)