| By Andy Moyle | 1 min 58 secs | 0 Comments
Being able to tell the weather is pretty useful – Matthew 16 has a version of “Red Sky at Night shepherd’s delight, red sky in the morning shepherd’s warning” – but the Pharisees are now characterised to be blind to belief. They may have insight into the weather but they have no insight into the […]
| By Andy Moyle | 2 mins 30 secs | 0 Comments
What kind of worship does God want? God’s word, not human tradition is the basis of authentic worship. The Pharisees were upset that Jesus and the disciples were not washing their hands before eating. The Pharisees had added a whole lot of traditions and additions to the law to protect it. They’d made them of […]
| By Andy Moyle | 1 min 29 secs | 0 Comments
John the Baptist’s death is the opener for the second half of the book of Matthew and is significant. It’s parallel to the death of under 2’s in Bethlehem at the start of the Gospel. It’s pointing forward to Jesus’ death. It may also have helped the original readers many of whom were martyred too. […]
| By Andy Moyle | 1 min 57 secs | 0 Comments
Why did Jesus teach with parables, because people love stories. 1) Jesus had moved from the synagogue to seashore v1 – the establishments were against Him, so he teaches the common people. 2) They are an instrument of revelation v35 for those who are called to see v11,16-17. They bring light to those who look […]
| By Andy Moyle | 1 min 15 secs | 0 Comments
Jesus is coming increasingly into conflict with the Jewish leaders who are legalists at heart. 1) The disciples pick some grain on the Sabbath. Part of the rest for the weary and the light and easy yoke is the chillout times between ministry encounters – they are walking along picking some corn, not rushing to […]
| By Andy Moyle | 48 secs | 0 Comments
John the Baptist was in prison and struggling, I imagine, to see whether he really had “prepared the way for the Lord”. He asks if Jesus really is the One. Jesus’ reply indicated that his ministry thus far (the cross and resurrection will really trump all) is to be judged by the healings The blind […]
| By Andy Moyle | 1 min 17 secs | 0 Comments
Chapter 10 tells us the historical mission of the twelve disciples, but also helps us to understand our mission too. “Preach this message ‘the kingdom of Heaven is near’. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” The mission is urgent and costly […]
| By Andy Moyle | 1 min 36 secs | 0 Comments
So far Matthew has shown Jesus’ power of nature and the demonic, now he shows His power to forgive sins. It’s another healing, to the Jews people couldn’t be healed until forgiven. Jesus takes upon himself only what God can do – forgive sins. That brings a charge of blasphemy. Matthew is stressing Jesus’ authority […]
| By Andy Moyle | 1 min 43 secs | 0 Comments
The sermon on the mount is breathtaking in its simplicity and challenge! Matthew 6 covers so much of the Christian life. Throughout is the issue of reward. We don’t earn our ticket for heaven. We are saved by grace not works so none can boast. Even the things we do for the Lord as saved […]