The religious leaders present consider Christ’s claim to forgive sin as blasphemy. But Jesus provides eye-opening evidence of His divine authority and of the prophesied Kingdom of God He inaugurated.
Just as Jesus healed the man from His physical paralysis and freed him from his mat, He can heal us from our spiritual paralysis and free us from our sin.
Some of the last words the Apostle Paul ever wrote charge the younger and more timid Timothy to preach the word — always being ready — and to fulfill his ministry before God the Father and Jesus the Coming Judge and King.
Since false teachers had infiltrated the church in Ephesus, scratching the itch of those who wanted their ears tickled with something new, Paul commands Timothy to correct, rebuke, encourage with great forbearance and thorough instruction.
Timothy must also endure hardship and do the work of an evangelist, spreading the Gospel to nonbelievers.
He must preach the word, teach the word, and reach the world — as should we.
The Gospel is always good seed. But it doesn’t always fall on good ground. In the Parable of the Sower (a.k.a. the Parable of the Four Soils), Jesus explains four different reactions to His message: (1) Hard-Hearted Hearers, (2) Fairweather “Fans”, (3) Backburner “Believers”, and (4) Fruitful Followers
After the miraculous catch of fish, Jesus calls Peter and the others to (metaphorically) catch people — that they also may follow Christ. In response to the grace of Christ, let’s respond with faith in Christ. Since we’ve been caught by God’s amazing grace, let’s seek to catch others — with God’s amazing guidance.
Ever have to ask someone, “Did you hear what I just said?” Often, we know that they heard us, but they’re acting as if they didn’t. There’s a difference between hearing and listening. Hearing means audibly perceiving something with one’s ear. Listening means responding to what was heard with appropriate action. In light of all that He has said previously, at the end of the Sermon of the Mount, Jesus makes it clear that it is necessary not to just hear His words, but to do them. For there are essentially two ways to live upon hearing Christ’s words. The wise both hear and do — metaphorically building their house on the rock. The foolish hear but don’t — metaphorically building their house on sand. Those who listen to Christ can stand when the storms come; those who don’t can’t stand the rain. Will we listen to the LORD? Did we hear what Jesus just said?
We’re familiar with the concept of: “My House, My Rules”. The first step of true knowledge is that this world is God’s house; thus, we should follow His rules. The fear (i.e., reverence) of the LORD is the beginning knowledge, but fools despise godly wisdom and instruction. We must keep first things first.
While teaching in the Capernaum synagogue on the Sabbath, Jesus is interrupted by a demon-possessed man. Jesus then rebukes the demon, commanding it to shut up and get out of the man. After its violent exit, people in the synagogue are not only amazed with Jesus authoritative words, but astonished by His authoritative works. He proclaims the inbreaking kingdom of God in both word and deed
Because the appointed time has come, and the kingdom of God has come near, people should repent and believe in the gospel. Christ — the King — is both the message and the messenger. His first disciples exhibit the appropriate response to Christ’s radical claim: radical obedience
![Get Ready for Christmas; Celebrate the Presence | Lk 1:5-17 Sermon [Video, Text+]](https://catchforchrist.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Get-Ready-For-Christmas-Celebrate-the-Presence-Luke-1-5-17-Sermon-Tagged-326x245.jpg)
What Does It Mean to Get Ready for Christmas? Too often, in our American society it means preparing to celebrate the presents… instead of celebrating the Presence (of the Lord). John the Baptist’s mission was to prepare his people for the Presence of the Lord. Before they could follow the Way (cf. Jn 14:6), they had to stop going their own way. They had to turn around, to turn back… to repent.
Three important experiences signify the inauguration of the kingdom of God through Jesus Christ — the King. (1) The heavens are torn open, (2) the Holy Spirit descends into Jesus, and (3) God’s heavenly voice speaks. God’s word confirm that Jesus is the royal Messiah, the unique Son of God, and the prophesied Suffering Servant.
Then, Jesus is driven out into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan — setting the stage for the spiritual battle that runs throughout Mark.
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