We now begin to see why sharp divisions were growing between Jesus and the Pharisees. There was a clear line drawn between “us and them”. That line was between those who were considered to be faithful or at least trying to be faithful to YHWH by keeping Torah, by seeking to be pure, clean, hol… Continue reading Who needs a doctor? (Mark 2:13-17)
Tag: Matthew
Gethsemane
For Good Friday, here’s a little Bible study, formally used at our old Sunday Night Church. I thought this might be a useful thing for people wanting something to work through reflectively. I’ll also be sharing a study on the crucifixion For Starters Have you ever made a New Year’s Resolution or similar commitment/promise? What… Continue reading Gethsemane
Remember: You are not Jesus!
What turns out to be the most controversial is often a surprise. Sometimes I can write something or say something and it gets little reaction when I would expect it to create a lot of heat. Other times, I say something I consider fairly innocuous or obvious and it creates waves with people taking the… Continue reading Remember: You are not Jesus!
Is three a magic number?
You’ve probably heard people quote these words from Matthew 18:19-20 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” And you’ve probably heard them used to suggest… Continue reading Is three a magic number?
Confrontation in church life
The other day, I wrote about the risks of getting a response to trouble and confrontation wrong. I wrote specifically about the challenges facing the West in responding to Vladimir Putin. However, most of us are not involved in major geo-political issues and hold little power over politicians or big business so on one level,… Continue reading Confrontation in church life
The end of a world
I recently wrote about whether the book of Revelation and other apocalyptic literature (Daniel, Matthew 24) etc predict current events that we are seeing now. I guess my answer was “yes and no.” No, in the sense most people understand the prophecy to be working. We are not meant to find chapters in the Bible… Continue reading The end of a world
Finding Jesus and Finding God (Matthew 2)
Where do you expect to find God? Some people look to church buildings as special holy places where they feel closer to God, especially if the building is old and beautiful with lots of stained glass windows. For others, God is felt in the countryside as they enjoy the beauty of nature. But is that… Continue reading Finding Jesus and Finding God (Matthew 2)
Lo he comes with clouds descending
Here’s the next in our “What the carols mean” series Lo! he comes with clouds descending,Once for favoured sinners slain;Thousand thousand saints attendingSwell the triumph of his train:Alleluya! Alleluya! Alleluya!God appears, on earth to reign.Every eye shall now behold himRobed in dreadful majesty;Those who set at nought and sold him,Pierced and nailed him to the… Continue reading Lo he comes with clouds descending
Sheep and Goats: Are Paul and Jesus in conflict -a worked example
I got involved in a conversation the other day about what it means to say that Scripture, the whole of it is God’s Word. It arose because some people were going back over that old question “are we as evangelicals guilty of Bible-olatry?” In other words do we end up worshipping our Bibles more than… Continue reading Sheep and Goats: Are Paul and Jesus in conflict -a worked example
How to pray – Asking for help to know and do God’s will
I’ve been recording some little talks about how to pray based on the Lord’s prayer in Matthew 6. Here’s the latest which focuses on the bit of the prayer which says “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven.” What and where is God’s kingdom? How do we do the will… Continue reading How to pray – Asking for help to know and do God’s will
Faithroots 