There is a curious line following John’s report of Jesus feeding the 5,000: “Therefore, when Jesus realized they were about to come and TAKE HIM BY FORCE TO MAKE HIM KING, He withdrew again to a mountain by Himself” John 6:15. The crowds were going to “take Him by force to make Him king”? How?Continue reading “REJECT THE GOOD. John 6:15.”
Author Archives: Steven Wales
OBSERVE ALL THINGS. Matthew 28:20.
When Jesus gave us our mission statement, he included a phrase I had not noticed until yesterday’s sermon at Kingsland: “Teach them to observe all things that I have commanded” Matthew 28:20. In context, that means that my mission in life is to “Go… and make disciples… baptize them… and teach them to observe allContinue reading “OBSERVE ALL THINGS. Matthew 28:20.”
COULD YOU WALK AWAY FROM JESUS? John 6:68.
Jesus called twelve to become His disciples. But multitudes followed Him, listening to His teaching, being healed of diseases, eating 5,000 fish sandwiches that He created with a simple prayer of thanks. People love a leader who says poetic things and gives away food. Everyone was drawn to Him; Jesus was the biggest thing toContinue reading “COULD YOU WALK AWAY FROM JESUS? John 6:68.”
HIDING PETER’S FOIBLES. Matthew 14:22-31; Mark 6:47-52.
Bible readers have always LOVED Peter. We love his rash statements, his passion, even his mistakes. People identify with Simon Peter. I relate to the way he talks without thinking. You know he keeps making mistakes—but you also know his heart is in the right place. He just wants to please Jesus, but often doesContinue reading “HIDING PETER’S FOIBLES. Matthew 14:22-31; Mark 6:47-52.”
THE DEATH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST. Matthew 14:13-14.
The death of John must have been so hard. John was Jesus’s first cousin. They had been friends all their lives. And it was not awkward: John did not know who Jesus was until the day he baptized Him. But Jesus knew John was the forerunner, the great herald, preparing the people for their Savior.Continue reading “THE DEATH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST. Matthew 14:13-14.”
TWO YEARS IN EPHESUS. Matthew 10:34.
When the home team wins a championship, it is HUGE. Everyone is going to Academy, wearing the gear, closing schools, having a parade. The city is turned upside-down—for a day or two. But God sent Paul and others to Ephesus for TWO YEARS. He revolutionized the city of idols. First, Apollos “vigorously refuted the JewsContinue reading “TWO YEARS IN EPHESUS. Matthew 10:34.”
SIN-LEVELING. Luke 10:13-14.
People say, “the ground is level at the foot of the cross.” It’s a nice reminder not to judge. True, we must ALL bow the knee. No one reaches Heaven without Jesus. But is the ground really level? Are Hitler and I equals apart from Jesus? NO. Hitler’s sin is extremely, almost infinitely worse thanContinue reading “SIN-LEVELING. Luke 10:13-14.”
PEACE ON EARTH? Matthew 10:16,22,34-36,38-39.
The angels announced “Let there be peace on earth!” Luke 2:14. We sing of peace at Christmastime. But the Prince of Peace spoke hard words about war: “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a SWORD. I came to turn a man againstContinue reading “PEACE ON EARTH? Matthew 10:16,22,34-36,38-39.”
How Strong is Your Love for Jesus?
He does have high expectations. “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man’s enemies will be the membersContinue reading “How Strong is Your Love for Jesus?”
SHREWD. Matthew 10:16.
Have you ever been too trusting? Boy, I have! Honest people expect others to be honest. This is a difficult thing about being a “good person”—when you are honest, fair, forgiving, and kind, you assume everyone else is. Or you tell yourself they may be a little shady, but not that bad. We each assumeContinue reading “SHREWD. Matthew 10:16.”
Household Words: 