Matthew 27:15-31 (HCSB)Jesus or Barabbas15 At the festival the governor’s custom was to release to the crowd a prisoner they wanted. 16 At that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 So when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Who is it you want me to release for you—Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Messiah?” 18 For he knew they had handed Him over because of envy. 19...  Read More

Matthew 27:1-14 (HCSB)Jesus Handed Over to Pilate27 When daybreak came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death. 2 After tying Him up, they led Him away and handed Him over to Pilate the governor.Judas Hangs Himself 3 Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was full of remorse and returned the 30 pieces of silver to the chie...  Read More

JESUS COMES AS KINGJesus’ fulfillment of prophecy affirmed that He is the Messiah.KEY TRUTH: Jesus demonstrated His sovereignty as King (Matthew 21:1-11)KEY TRUTH: Jesus exercised His authority as King (Matthew 21:12-17)...  Read More

QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK1.  Are there times we see the contemporary church change from a place of worship to something else? What actions do we take to restore the purpose of the church?2. There is no limit to how God can reward us for choosing to place our faith and lives within His will. What fruit is, or is not, present in your life?3. What are your priorities? Knowing and glorifying God or glorif...  Read More

Matthew 21:23-27 (HCSB)Messiah’s Authority Challenged23 When He entered the temple complex, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to Him as He was teaching and said, “By what authority are You doing these things? Who gave You this authority?” 24 Jesus answered them, “I will also ask you one question, and if you answer it for Me, then I will tell you by what authority I do these th...  Read More

Matthew 21:18-22  (HCSB)The Barren Fig Tree18 Early in the morning, as He was returning to the city, He was hungry. 19 Seeing a lone fig tree by the road, He went up to it and found nothing on it except leaves. And He said to it, “May no fruit ever come from you again!” At once the fig tree withered. 20 When the disciples saw it, they were amazed and said, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?”...  Read More

Matthew 21:14-17 (HCSB)Children Praise Jesus14 The blind and the lame came to Him in the temple complex, and He healed them. 15 When the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonders that He did and the children shouting in the temple complex, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant 16 and said to Him, “Do You hear what these children are saying?” “Yes,” Jesus told them. “Have you never...  Read More

Matthew 21:12-13 (HCSB)Cleansing the Temple Complex 12 Jesus went into the temple complex and drove out all those buying and selling in the temple. He overturned the money changers’ tables and the chairs of those selling doves.13 And He said to them, “It is written, My house will be called a house of prayer. But you are making it a den of thieves!”Trey ManorIt was a contemporary expectation that t...  Read More

Matthew 21:1-11  (HCSB)The Triumphal Entry21 When they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage at the Mount of Olives, Jesus then sent two disciples, 2 telling them, “Go into the village ahead of you. At once you will find a donkey tied there, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to Me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you should say that the Lord needs them, and immediately he will ...  Read More

SUNDAY CONNECT LESSON FOR MARCH 17, 2024CHOOSING TREASURES IN HEAVENDo good deeds out of love for Christ, not to try to earn salvation.KEY TRUTH: Believers value following Christ above material possessions (Matthew 19:16-30)KEY TRUTH: Believers trust in God, not money (1 Timothy 6:17-19)KEY TRUTH: Heavenly investments are the only safe investments (Matthew 6:19-21)FAMILY CONNECTION: CONTINUE THE D...  Read More

QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK1. Are there areas of pride in your life that make it difficult to acknowledge that everything you are and have is a gift from God? Name a few of them.2. What is an area of abstinence in your life that leaves room for self-righteousness? I.e, is there a "don't" that you take pride in and perhaps judge others for struggling with? What can you do to turn that over to God?3. What...  Read More

Matthew 20:1-16  (HCSB)The Parable of the Vineyard Workers20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the workers on one denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 When he went out about nine in the morning, he saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 To those men he said, ‘Y...  Read More