At first blush, the Synoptic Gospels (Matt, Mark, and Luke) are so different from the gospel according to John. Two of the three Synoptics start with the genealogy of Jesus (Matt and Luke). Mark jumps right into the story with John’s ministry...
Dr. Brent Sleasman preached a great message in EBS chapel today. He talked about how Jesus turned human culture on its head by challenging the social protocol of reciprocity. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus not only changes the Mosaic law (as the...
This is from Stacey’s blog about the message Junior and I preached yesterday. She’s an excellent writer. Enjoy! Sunday’s when Matt and Junior preach together are my very favorite, always. Neither of them were planning on...
I mentioned in my last post that Jesus’ teaching was subtle. I chalked this up to the vastness of his teaching. I said that the reason he was so subtle is because what he was saying was so multi-faceted that one cannot grasp it all at first glance...
There’s a popular Christian video out right now called “The Gospel in Four Minutes”. I admit that it’s interesting, creative, and even quite sound theologically. However, there is one thing I wish to take up with it. I...
Something that has always struck me about the Gospels is that the disciples always seem to be confused about what Jesus was teaching them. It is almost as if they are always one or two steps behind. The greatest story of this is the climactic moment...
I’m going to do something risky here. I was invited by some colleagues to write an installment for a small theological education curriculum for folks in the Ukraine. The audience is unreached people groups. People that know nothing about...
The Christmas season reminds us that the incarnation redefines power. Power has been grossly misrepresented by fallen humanity. Power has become a very human thing. The way in which humanity has mis-represented power through the years has created a...
Jesus said this often. The question is why? What did Jesus mean when he said this? After all, Jesus was a great teacher. At the same time, there were some pretty enigmatic things that Jesus said. After all, aren’t we still arguing quite a bit...
Here is a link to a sermon I preached at Farmland Friends Church in Farmland, IN this summer. The title of the message is “Jesus Is The Gospel”. The sermon begins right around 24 minutes into the video.
Shabbat Shalom to all.
Matt