Today’s Text: Matthew 13:44-46 This text has a context and the context is filled with parables of the kingdom. It starts out with: The Sower – the condition of the heart (soil) determines the fruitfulness of the life. The Weeds – the glory of the kingdom is revealed at the end of the age. The … More When the Kingdom of God Dominates Your Life
I hope the answer is yes. I hope you know the meaning of Jesus’s parables in Matthew 13, in particular the one we talked about last week and the one we will take up this week. (Come and visit if you can or go to our website on Monday for the audio, ManchesterCreek.org) There is … More Do You Believe in the Divine Conspiracy?
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32) I was encouraged by these words today and thought I would pass them on without commentary and just this paragraph to set the context. As I begin my preparation for next week’s worship service I found these words from J.C. Ryle on … More The Father Delights to Give Us the Kingdom
Reading with the Pastor Matthew 13 and Psalm 35 Today we get to go back and read one of the pivotal chapters in Matthew, an entire chapter filled with parables of the Kingdom. I love this chapter and can’t wait to preach it sometime later this year. Jesus tells us what the Kingdom of God is … More The Book is Yours
Sunday Nostalgia “Who is ‘untouchable’ in your ministry—who wouldn’t you give away?” The question came from a seasoned and effective pastor of about 50 years of age. Twice he had taken churches in his denomination from around 200, to over one-thousand in attendance. But this was to be … More “It’s a good thing that you would let me die”
Sunday Musings Excerpted from the last of my six messages at this weekend’s retreat to the college students of CCUC (Chinese Christian Union Church): Look at the end of verse 44 and 46. Matthew 13:44-46 (ESV) 44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. … More The Incomparable Value of the Kingdom
Posted this first in 2014 but I see no reason to change my hope for 2017. It’s over a 100 years old, probably over 150 years old. Its known as an old “negro-spiritual.” Its resonance is certainly rooted in pain. Physical pain? Maybe. Longing for rescue from the oppression of slavery? Probably. A grieving heart … More Give Me Jesus in the New Year (Revised for 2017)
Wednesday is for Prayer Preaching on the Kingdom of God this month from Matthew 13. Couldn’t help but think about Rich Mullins song, The Other Side of the World. Here’s the lyrics followed by a video of Rich and the Ragamuffin Band. I miss Rich Mullins. Won’t it be great to see him again in heaven? … More Longing For the King and the Kingdom
Thursday is for Discipleship Time is drawing near. The fullness of time is pregnant (Galatians 4:4). It won’t be long now. The disciples sense a turn in the face of Christ. When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. (Luke 9:51) The cost of … More Dying for Jesus isn’t Very Popular These Days: Neither is Living for Him
Friday is for Heart Songs The following is from Kairos Journal and excerpts a sermon by Ligon Duncan. Longer than my usual post and written by Ligon, not me. This is a great excerpt. Plus he references Gandalf and uses one of my all time heroes (C.T. Studd, missionary) as an illustration. Enjoy. The Kingdom … More The One Who Denies Himself Gains Everything
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