Children are gifts from our Father above and they are also pictures of how we approach him. Jesus loved children. We are likewise called to love children, and not just our own. At Stone's Throw, we value kids because Jesus values them.

Children are gifts from our Father above and they are also pictures of how we approach him. Jesus loved children. We are likewise called to love children, and not just our own. At Stone's Throw, we value kids because Jesus values them.

Our dreams, pursuits, goals, actions, objectives, thoughts, plans, indeed our whole lives, are spent centered on seeking happiness. Jesus tells us that unless we are willing to cut off all things that cause sin, we will not experience true happiness with him forever.

Our natural inclination in all things is to be the best, but the Kingdom of God has no room for those seeking their own glory. Those who would follow Jesus must come humbly, like a little child, because Jesus was the epitome of humility. He became last and was a servant to all. Likewise, we must take up our cross in a similar way and follow him.

"I believe; help my unbelief!" Have you ever felt this way? The answer should be "yes." Fortunately, we can place our weak faith in the one who loves the weak. Jesus' love isn't dependent on our current level of faith, and we err when we make faith itself the object of our faith. It's all about what Jesus has done for us.

Peter, James, and John experience the incredible transfiguration of Jesus, seeing him in a way they had not seen before. This presentation of Christ terrifies them and moves them deeply. What is our response? Without Jesus, God's glory would destroy us because of our sin. But Jesus stands in the gap for us. So this should lead us to worship him.

Jesus has now been recognized as the long-awaited Messiah, the Savior, by his disciples. From this point forward Jesus begins pronouncing the suffering he must endure on the cross. He also teaches that any who would call themselves his disciple will also suffer for the sake of the Gospel.

Jesus defines Jesus. The Pharisees tried to manipulate Jesus and we still do today. We attempt to shape who he was, what he came to do, why it mattered, etc. But we must be careful, because adding to or changing the Gospel will ruin our faith.

The Gospel of Jesus is for all men everywhere to hear and to respond. Works of the Law will merit us nothing; salvation is through the grace of God alone. This means that everyone is welcome at the King's table, regardless of their past and in spite of their efforts to earn God's favor.

The stain of our depravity cannot be removed by anything other than the blood of Jesus. When we come to Jesus he takes our sin-stained rags and gives us his righteous robes. This happens at the Cross. The Gospel cleanses.