Mt28

The local church is the context for making disciples. To not believe this is to believe that the first disciples didn't understand the great commission!

Clearly, Jesus commanded His disciples to "Go and make disciples." We call this command the Great Commission. We would not know Jesus today if they had not fulfilled that command. But never forget the context in which the disciples believed disciples should be made. Context is critical, if not essential! The context for disciple-making is the local church.

To "make disciples" outside of the local church is like raising children outside of a family! We all know and believe that healthy children are born and raised inside the context of a God-honoring family. It is God's intentional design. The same is true for His spiritual family! Spiritual children are to be raised within the context of God's people…the local church.

To not place a high value on church is to totally misunderstand the Great Commission.

Mt27

"Crucify Him! His blood be on us and our children!" - the mob

As Jesus was about to shed His blood for the sins of the world, the mob shouted to take responsibility for His death! Their words were true… Jesus' blood was about to be shed because of them! But they had no idea that this "shedding of blood" would not condemn them before God, but would ultimately cleans all who would believe.

The mobs sins were already enough for their condemnation. It only takes one. This horrible murder wasn't their worst sin. It became their saving grace! Peter would later proclaim, "This Jesus, whom you crucified is the savior of the world." Many would later repent and believe.

In fact, "His blood was on them." Not for condemnation, but rather for salvation. Wow.

Mt26

Can you imagine being with Jesus the first time He instituted the Lord's supper? He said, "This is My blood that establishes the covenant; it is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins." What must have been going on it the hearts and minds of the disciples?

They had no way of knowing what was about to happen! This had to be one of the oddest things they had ever heard come from the lips of Jesus. What did He mean? What was He talking about? What have we done to follow a teacher who would say such things?

Now imagine what it would have been like to celebrate "the Lord's supper" for the first time in Acts! NOW they knew! Now they can remember all that Jesus did for them! I bet they rarely shared communion without tears. Tears of sorry and of joy.

What is communion like for us? What affections does it stir in our hearts? What memories does it generate? Christ died for us. This fact should STILL be effecting His disciples today.

Mt25

"Whatever you did for the least of these brothers of Mine, you did it for Me." -Jesus

The point of the parable of the sheep and the goats is that our faith looks like something! Jesus is not teaching that "good works" will get us to heaven, but He is teaching that faith produces good works! What separates the sheep and the goats? What they did! What motivated their action? Their desire to please the Master.

Activity that is motivated by personal gain is activity that will profit nothing. Actions motivated by faith will be rewarded. Jesus preaches a faith that works, not a faith of works or a works based faith! Subtle differences but very critical to gospel understanding.

Mt24

"Who is a faithful and sensible slave, whom the master has put in charge of his household? That slave whose master finds him working when he comes. Be ready." - Jesus

Jesus is coming again and every indicator in scripture would say His coming will be soon! If christians in the first century were to live as though Jesus would return in their lifetimes, how much more should we live "ready" over 2000 years later? Personally, I don't want to be surprised when Jesus returns. I want to be working and ready.

One doesn't have to extend their vision too far into this world to know that the times are ripe for Christ's return. And one doesn't have to extend vision too far to know that most believers (at least in our country) will be shocked and unprepared! Be ready.

Mt23

Jesus said to the religious elite of His day, "How can you escape the condemnation of hell?" He also told the crowd, "Do what they say, but don't do what they do."

What was the problem? In a nutshell Jesus said they "did not practice what they taught". They said one thing and did another! They defined hypocrisy. Their teachings were burdensome and condemning. Their lives were full of judgement and criticism.

But what about us? Are we the same on the inside as we are on the outside? Are we quick to admit fault and ask for forgiveness? Do we tell our children, "do what I say, not what I do" or "follow me as I follow Christ"? Do we live a duplicitous life? I hope not. I pray not.

Live one life today. Jesus said, "the greatest among you is the servant of all."

Mt22

We are talking about our country and potential leaders more than ever these days, but are we praying for our country and its leaders? Jesus wants christians to be prayerful people. He wants us to set the pace for loving Him and loving each other. Government won't change a human heart. Only God can do that.

"Give to Caesar that which is Caesar's, and to God what is God's". We tend to want the most from our government while always contributing the absolute minimum required by law! We treat God the same way. We want Him to serve us while we desire to do the absolute minimum for Him.

Our problem is not poor leadership in government. Our problem is poor leadership among God's people. God help us to pray that He will reign in our hearts and that we will love others as He does.