What does the gospel of Matthew teach us about the first guideline for abundant living? This guideline is based on a commandment that regulates a certain relationship between God and his people. Biblical morality is predicated upon the reality that there is only one God, and he must be worshiped to the exclusion of all others.
The supreme guiding power over our lives, that which controls our ideals is our focus of worship. Many things can take the place of the worship of the true God in our hearts and minds. The adoration of these things will eliminate any possibility of our establishing or maintaining a real relationship with God. We need to seek God first at all times and for all things.
Scriptures referenced include Matthew 4:8-10; Deuteronomy 6; Matthew 22:36-38; Deuteronomy 5:6-7; Isaiah 44:18; Philippians 4:19; Job 1–2; 1 Kings 18–19; Matthew 6:33; and Matthew 6:24.
Throughout the book of Acts, various questions are asked of or by the apostles. Today we explore several of these questions and reflect on answers – those given in the text and those we might consider giving if these were asked by or of us. Questions are taken from Acts 16:30-31; Acts 17:18-19; Acts 19:1-6; Acts 19:15; Acts 23:3; and Acts 26:27-28. Additional scriptures referenced include Acts 19:11-14, 16-20; and Acts 23:1-2, 4-5. ...
Pentecost is significant in both the Old and New Testaments. “Pentecost” is actually the Greek name for a festival known in the Old Testament as the Feast of Weeks (Leviticus 23:15; Deuteronomy 16:9). The Greek word means “fifty” and refers to the fifty days that have elapsed since the wave offering of Passover. The Feast of Weeks celebrated the end of the grain harvest. With the outpouring of Holy Spirit on disciples during this holiday and with Peter’s powerful preaching, the first Pentecost following the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus, signals the beginning of the church age. Additional scriptures referenced include Acts 2:1-41; Job 12:10; John 3:8; Genesis 2:7; Exodus 3:2; Exodus 12:21-22; Exodus 24:17; Isaiah 10:17; Psalm 97:3; Malachi 3:2; Hebrews 12:29; Revelation 3:18; Matthew 26L72, 74; Luke 22:57; Luke 24:21; Joel 2:28-32; and John 14:12. ...
We know about some of the early Christian churches. Much of what we know is described in Revelation 2-3 which explores seven churches in Asia Minor that existed at the time that John the apostle was writing Revelation. Though they were literal churches in that time, there is also spiritual significance for churches and believers today. The first purpose of the letters was to communicate with the literal churches and meet their needs at that time. The second purpose was to reveal seven different types of individuals/churches throughout history and instruct them in God’s truth. John relayed to these churches messages that he received from Jesus. Today we explore the letters to the church in Sardis and the church in Philadelphia. The majority of Christians in the Sardis church were out of harmony with the gospel, while Philadelphia represented the faithful few. Additional scriptures referenced include Matthew 13:24-30;Ephesians 4:1; Colossians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:1; 1 John 5:4; Luke 12:8; Isaiah 22:22; Revelation 21:22; Galatians. 2:9; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 2 Corinthians. 6:16; Ephesians 2:19-22; and 1 Peter 2:4-10. ...
