Matthew 18:1-9 (HCSB)Who Is the Greatest?18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”2 Then He called a child to Him and had him stand among them. 3 “I assure you,” He said, “unless you are converted and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child—this one is the greatest...  Read More

Matthew 6:14-15 (HCSB)14 “For if you forgive people their wrongdoing, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well.15 But if you don’t forgive people, your Father will not forgive your wrongdoingDana DorrisOkay, I ain’t gonna lie…..this one stings! Yikes, these verses are some of those we wish we could skip over and pretend they weren’t there…oh, but they are. When I read these I want to yell, “S...  Read More

JESUS CONFRONTS SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESSAvoid works-based religion.  Do good deeds to please Christ, not to impress people.KEY TRUTH: Self-righteousness will not get people to Heaven (Matthew 16:1-12)KEY TRUTH: Self-righteousness leads to hypocrisy (Matthew 23:1-3) FAMILY CONNECTION:CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION AFTER CHURCH! How will I put this into practice this week?How did the disciples misunderstand what...  Read More

 Peter's confession in Matthew 16:16, where he says, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God," is a pivotal moment. How does this confession shape the disciples' understanding of Jesus and, by extension, our own understanding of his role in our lives? What does it mean for us to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah?  2.  In Matthew 23:1-12, Jesus criticizes the religious leaders for their hypo...  Read More

Matthew 23:37-39 (HCSB)Jesus’ Lamentation over Jerusalem37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem! She who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, yet you were not willing! 38 See, your house is left to you desolate. 39 For I tell you, you will never see Me again until you say, ‘He who comes in the na...  Read More

Matthew 23:23-36 (HCSB)23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay a tenth of mint, dill, and cumin, yet you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. These things should have been done without neglecting the others. 24 Blind guides! You strain out a gnat, yet gulp down a camel 25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You clean the out...  Read More

Matthew 23:1-22 (HCSB)Religious Hypocrites Denounced23 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples: 2 “The scribes and the Pharisees are seated in the chair of Moses. 3 Therefore do whatever they tell you, and observe it. But don’t do what they do, because they don’t practice what they teach. 4 They tie up heavy loads that are hard to carry and put them on people’s shoulders, but they them...  Read More

Matthew 16:13-20  (HCSB)Peter’s Confession of the Messiah13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But you,” He asked them, “who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the So...  Read More

Matthew 16:1-12 (HCSB)The Yeast of the Pharisees and the Sadducees 16 The Pharisees and Sadducees approached, and as a test, asked Him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered them: “When evening comes you say, ‘It will be good weather because the sky is red.’ 3 And in the morning, ‘Today will be stormy because the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to read the appearance of the sky, ...  Read More

THE KINGDOM OF HEAVENThe kingdom of Heaven or the kingdom of God refers to God’s rule on earth.KEY TRUTH: Citizens of God’s kingdom live in a fallen world until the judgment. (Matthew 13:24-30, 34-43, 47-50)KEY TRUTH: God’s kingdom grows from small beginnings. (Matthew 13:31-33)KEY TRUTH: Being a citizen of God’s kingdom is more than worth it. (Matthew 13:44-45, 51-52)FAMILY CONNECTION: CONTINUE T...  Read More

February 24, 20241.  In Matthew 13:36-43, Jesus provides an interpretation of the parable of the wheat and the weeds.  What does this interpretation reveal about the nature of judgment, the end times, and the separation of the righteous and the wicked?2. The parable in Matthew 13:36-43 highlights the idea of patience and the ultimate authority of God    in determining the fate of the righteous and...  Read More

Matthew 13:51-53 (HCSB)The Storehouse of Truth 51 “Have you understood all these things?” “Yes,” they told Him. 52 “Therefore,” He said to them, “every student of Scripture instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who brings out of his storeroom what is new and what is old.” 53 When Jesus had finished these parables, He left there.Neil Andrews In Matthew 13:51-53, Jesus concludes hi...  Read More