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P. Solomon Raj, Luke 4: The Lord Remembers the Hungry, 2016. It's in the context of all the everyday people with everyday problems gathered around Him that Jesus begins to speak about the good life in Matthew 5:3-12. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (5:3) Contrary to appearances, the …
Continue reading "Guess What? You’re Blessed: Exploring the Beatitudes in Matthew 5"
"As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." (Ephesians 4:1) In Ephesians 4:1, Paul urges the Ephesians—and us, through them—to live a life worthy of the calling we have received. The unity of the church in divided times is, as always, first …
Continue reading "Putting on Christ’s Character in Divided Days"
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9) One of the most notable things about Jesus was His radical relationship with wealth and possessions. Jesus lived simply and had …
Continue reading "The Radical Simplicity and Generosity of Jesus and His People"
Photo by Burak Bau015fgu00f6ze on Pexels.com One of the most striking things in the Bible is the few moments recorded in Scripture when Jesus weeps. Each time, Jesus weeps for different reasons, bringing us a different angle on the heart of God. Jesus Weeps at Lazarus’ Tomb (John 11:1-43) We may be familiar with the …
Continue reading "When Jesus Wept: Seeing God in the Tears of Jesus"
Photo by George Becker on Pexels.com In my sermon this past weekend, "Wait for It," I explored aspects of David's determined course of waiting on God in relation to King Saul's relentless pursuit of him. In one part of the message, I offered a little aside about revenge, vengeance, or recompense. There is Just One …
Matthew Erickson 