Matthew

Matthew: Readings and the Thoughts that followed

Matthew 5:17 ~ "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."

Jesus did not get rid of the Old Testament.
His mission was not to get rid of the Law.
The mission was to get rid of our sin, and make us perfect regarding the Law. 4/18/18

Matthew 6:33 ~ "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

I am the worst about trying to follow rules and making sure others are following them. I've always liked rules.
But rules are hard. You have to not only know the rules, but more, you have to understand the rules.
But ALL the rules can be covered with understanding that by chasing God, His righteousness, and His Kingdom you are also keeping His Law. 4/20/18

Matthew 11:28 ~ " Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

So many of us try to be "good enough," to gain approval from God, but the better you become the more you realize God's standard is even higher.
Jesus gives rest from this, even though you will still strive to be more like God everyday, Jesus made it possible. 3/10/18

Matthew 16:18 ~ "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

Peter had just affirmed that Jesus was the Christ, God's Son.
This truth is unflinching and the rock that the Christian church is built on.
And the "gates of hell shall not prevail..." too many times we let hell bring the fight to the church, but the church should be taking the fight to hell. 4/15/18

Matthew 18:18 ~ "And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."

Jesus is not a runner-up in power, therefore there's no good reason for Him to be runner-up in your life. 2/25/18

Matthew 22:37 ~ "And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."

IF you can manage to do these 3 things imagine what else would be taken care of.
Obeying laws??? check.
Obeying parents??? check.
Everything else??? check. 5/10/18

Matthew 25:31 ~ "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne."

Matthew 28:19 ~ "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,"

This is not optional. This is not only for ordained ministers. This is as much your command as it is Billy Graham's.
We have no excuse. This is what followers of Christ are called to do, and Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." 1/22/18