Heavy Lifting

Waiting Time

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43. Should we start pulling up the weeds? Maybe want we really need to do is slow down and realize we're the wheat and the weeds... and we shouldn't be in a rush to destroy the fields today! That's what we will explore today.

The Results That Matter

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23. The Word of God can't grow without good soil but is this parable really about the soil? In this message, I explore a different angle on this well-known parable.

Heavy Lifting

Based on Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30. Religious people can be difficult to please. John the Baptist stayed to himself; he was a minimalist who lived off the land. He didn't do anything to cause offense, except point out "the condition of sin" everyone was living under and needed repentance of. So, religious people dismissed him as having a demon. Jesus came and looked like one of us. He ate and drank with anyone, even tax collectors and sinners. So, of course, they labeled him a glutton and a drunkard. Before we get ahead of ourselves on this 4th of July weekend, maybe we need to remember that we all stand in need before the throne of Jesus. And, yes, we need someone to do the heavy lifting for us.

Is There a Reward?

Matthew 10:40-42. Isn't it a bad idea to promise rewards? Today, we explore the use of rewards and punishments in the Bible to see if there is something we are missing. And we will talk about why it's a bad idea to drop bombs on the children of God, ALL the children of God.

Family Feuds on Father's Day?

Matthew 10:24-39. If you read through the Gospels, you'll soon discover that Jesus didn't have much good to say about families. In fact, Jesus seems to suggest that the family is a poor substitute for the community he wants to establish on earth, the church! On any given Sunday, the church is full of people whose families are divided. Yes, we need good fathers, but if you don't have one, no worries because God will fill that rule for you in God's church! Join me as we take a much less traveled approach on this Father's Day.