Guards paid to lie, Jesus commissions disciples to make disciples (Matthew 28:11-20)

 Matthew 28:11-20

A) Guards tell the truth, but agree to lie for money

11) guards tell the chief priest everything (angels, empty tomb)

12-14) Priests, elders plan + money, say disciples stole him while you slept, we'll cover governor

15) Soldiers paid and carried out plan, widely circulated among Jews

B) Jesus commissions the eleven to make disciples

16) Eleven disciples Galilee, mountain where Jesus said to go

17) They saw him, worshiped him; yet some doubted

18-20) Jesus ,"All authority in heaven, earth to me - make disciples all nations, baptizing in name of Father, Son, Holy Spirit, teaching to obey everything I commanded you. Surely with you always, end of age"

By authority of Jesus Christ, we extend God's offer to everyone who will hear

What does Baptism mean, why do it?

Commandments of Jesus

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Jesus raised to life witnessed by angels, guards and disciples (Matt 28:1-10)

 Matthew 28

1-4) Sunday, Mary Magdalene and other Mary, tomb, earthquake, an angel of the Lord (lightening, white-snow) rolled stone, sat, guards afraid, shaking

Angelic touch brings freedom for Peter and death to Herod (Acts 12)

5-7) Angel: Don't be afraid, Jesus crucified has risen as he said, come and see - tell disciples this and he's going to Galilee where you'll see him

8-10) Hurried, afraid, filled w joy - then Jesus "greetings" -they bowed worshiped "Don't be afraid"

 - do not be afraid is a theme in the Bible, God is with us (Deut 20:1-3), our shield and reward (Gen 15:1), he hears us (Gen 21:17), with us, will bless us (Gen 26:24), our father (Gen 46:3), deliverer (Ex 14:13), testing, fear of God, kept from sinning (Ex 20:20), with us (Num 14:9), impartial wise judgment (Deut 1:17), giver of land (Deut 1:21,29), conquerer (Deut 3:2,22), powerful history (Deut 7:18), goes with us, never leave or forsake (Deut 31:6,8), with us wherever we go (Joshua 1:9), victorious (Joshua 8:1,10:8,25,11:6), savior (Judges 6:23), redeemer (1 Sam 12:20) with us (2 Kings 1:15) true word (2 Kings 19:6), blessed servant in a hostile environment (2 Kings 25:24)

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King Jesus fulfills prophecy of salvation on the cross and is buried (Matt 27:32-66, Psalm 22)

 Matt 27:32-66 mirrors the gospel in Psalm 22

All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him—    those who cannot keep themselves alive. Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it! - Psalm 22:29-31

A) King Jesus dies at Golgotha on the Cross

32-35) Simon Cyrene carries the cross to Golgotha, Jesus refuses wine - crucified, divided clothes

 - Years ago I noticed this connection: Then David took the Philistine’s head (Goliath) and brought it to Jerusalem. (Speculation: Buried head at the place of the skull, Golgotha is Hebrew, Calvary is Greek. 1 Samuel 17:54). Genesis 3:15, Matthew 27:33, this account is in all four gospels making it meaningfully important (see Mark 15:22, Luke 23:33, John 19:17) - David chosen by God, brings victory against Goliath (1 Samuel 16-17)

36-37) Charge: "This is Jesus, The King of the Jews"

 - First recognized at his birth in Matthew 1:6, 2:1,2,3

 - Also, the city of the great king (Matthew 5:35)

 - Jesus teaching about kings: Matthew 10:18,11:8,14:9,17:25,18:23,21:5,22:2,22:7,11,13,25:34,40

 - Jesus admitted he was the King of the Jews: Matthew 27:11,12,13 and was mocked for it Matthew 27:42

38-40) two rebels one mocks of 3-day prophecy "if you are the Son of God come down"

41-42) priest, teachers, elders, "saved others, not himself, king of Israel! come down and we'll believe

43-44) "He trust God, Let God rescue 'I am the Son of God'"

 - "in the same way...heaped insults on him" (Matthew 27:41,44), For even Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written: "The insults of those who insult You have fallen on Me." (Romans 15:3)

 - Penitent robber is found only in Luke 23:39-42, we too are like him: "Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him" James 1:5

45-46) noon to 3 darkness came over all the land - "My God, My God why have you forsaken me" Psalm 22:1

47-49) "Elijah?", wine vinegar on sponge but others said no - see if Elijah comes to save him

50) Jesus cried out loud voice and gave up his spirit

 - 51-53) curtain of temple torn in two, top to bottom, earthquake, tombs opened, holy people raised to life - came out of tombs after Jesus resurrection and appeared to many

 - Centurions: "surely he was the Son of God!"

 - 55-56) Mary Magdalene, Mary mother of James and Joseph and mother of Zebedee's sons. (John was there as well)

B) Jesus is buried and the tomb is secured 

57-61) Joseph Arimathea, a disciple asked Pilate for the body, a new tomb cut from rock - big stone. Mary and Mary witnessed.

62-63) next day, one after Preparation Day, Chief priests, Pharisees Pilate, remember after 3 days I will rise again

 - Jesus on the minds of unbelievers still happens today. 

64) Ordered tomb secure until third day, so disciples can't steal body - last deception worse than first

65-66) Take a guard, secure as you know how to - putting a seal on stone and posting guard.

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Judas could have repented like Peter did (Matt 26:47-27:31)

 Matthew 26:47-27:31

When Judas realized how wrong he was, he tried to make it right by himself.

When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”

“What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”

So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. - Matthew 27:3-5

When Peter realized how wrong he was, he remember what Jesus said and wept bitterly. 

Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly. Matthew 26:75

Pilate under pressure condemns Jesus to crucifixion (John 18:28-19:17) 

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Jesus prepared through prayer, is ready to live according to Scripture in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:47-56)

My friend John Egger died this week, his wife Joan joined our leader's meeting and let us know he'd been struck by a car while they walked together. She was with him, comforting him in his last moments. He had several difficulties but this was a complete surprise and shock. I had just seen John online on Wednesday, and by Friday night he was gone. John was faithful to his wife of 48 years, had deep friendships where he included close friends and new friends in his online group. I remember believing he needed to leave leadership because of his health but instead our friend Brad took care of his group while he recovered. He actively sacrificed, getting new equipment so that he could listen, understand and participate fully. I'm grateful for knowing John and will miss him. 

A week earlier my friend Jasons' son died too early from a heroin overdose. Death is shocking but in Jesus last hours of life we see how a person prepared to die, lives in his last moments. 

 Matthew 26:47-27:31

A) Jesus was arrested in the garden of Gethsemane.

47-49) Judas, armed crowd betrays Jesus with a friendly kiss

50) Jesus calls him friend as he's arrested

 - Judas could have felt remorse and repented now but didn't

51-54) Jesus companions try to kill the servant of the high priest, Jesus says no

 - all who draw the sword, die by the sword. Options: Father, twelve legions of angels but Scriptures be fulfilled

55-56) Jesus preaches, "rebellion? every day I taught you didn't arrest, but now so writings of prophets might be fulfilled. All disciples deserted him

 - Jesus held Scripture in the highest esteem, will I love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me in my last hours? As we prayed for Joan we also prayed for the person who struck John with the car. We prayed for forgiveness and mercy. That person would see Christ and receive forgiveness, one day being welcomed into heaven by John himself. 

Questions for our lesson

What stands out to you regarding Jesus’ character and God’s plan for His Son?

What can you learn about facing difficulties in your life?

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Bread and wine at the last Supper/Passover meal (Matthew 26:17-30)

Bread and wine at the last Supper/Passover meal, He illustrated His sacrifice to free every believer from the penalty and power of sin. 

In BSF Lesson 26 - MATTHEW 26 - Mike Gaynor explains the link between the Passover and last supper as follows:

Passover. Usually, the presider would pass the bread saying, "This is the bread of our affliction," but Jesus says in effect, "This is the bread of my affliction," as He broke the bread saying, "This is my body."

There were four cups of wine passed around at Passover, one for sanctification, one for deliverance, one for redemption and run for praise. Many see Jesus passing the third cup of redemption here and He gives it new meaning as He says, "Drink from it all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." Isaiah 42 promised that the servant of the Lord, Jesus, would be a covenant to the people. At this supper, Jesus is telling the disciples He is a living promise of redemption from sin for God's people.

Warren Wiersbe (Be Loyal), each cup at Passover relates to the four promises in Exodus 6:6-7 and the hymn Jesus and disciples sang before they left was part of the traditional Hallel Psalm 116-118. Psalm 116:13-14, Cup of Salvation, call on the name of the Lord, fulfill my vows to the Lord. Links cup of salvation (13) to death of faithful servants (15), sacrifice "thank offering" fulfilling vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people (17-18) - Praise the LORD (19).

Then Hollie Roberts adds these great considerations for us:

We recall His act of loving redemption every time we partake of the Lord's Supper in our own churches. As we do this, let's reflect and consider these six "Looks" at the Lord's table. 

• Look backward to Jesus' finished act of redemption on the cross that provides an anchor for my soul. (Heb 6:19)
• Look forward to the fulfillment of the kingdom of God and drinking that cup of wine of praise with Jesus in everlasting fellowship. (1 Cor 11:26)
• Look inward to examine and confess our sins. We should ask in the original Lord's Supper context, "Lord, how have I betrayed you?" (1 Cor 11:28)
• Look upward to realize our Savior is alive at God's right hand, interceding for us to trust, obey, and faithfully serve Him. (Heb 7:25, 1 John 2:1)
• Look around at the band of brothers and sisters that Jesus has put us in to serve and love as He did, washing His disciples' feet. (John 17:17,20,21,23,24,26)
• Look outward as we proclaim the Lord's death and be energized to share the good news of redemption with fellow rebels.

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Celebrating Jesus at great expense, even when others don't understand (Matthew 26:1-16)

Jesus had been telling His disciples He was going to be betrayed, mocked, flogged and crucified. They had been warned on multiple occasions that His death and His resurrection was coming. How is it that only this woman got it? How is it that the disciples couldn't see what was happening right in front of them? How is it that people can look at what Jesus has done today and still not get it? - Lesson 26 - MATTHEW 26 - Hollie Roberts

Jesus said to his disciples, “As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”...a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head... When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” - Matthew 26:1,7,12-13

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Jesus reveals his betrayal, death, resurrection and resisting slothful temptation (Matthew 26:1-46)

Focus verse:

Keep watch for one hour... Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:40-41

How often do I watch and pray for one hour? I spend plenty of time watching television and internet videos. When will I sit with God? When my soul is troubled instead of looking for a distraction I will watch and pray.

 Matthew 26

A) Jesus predicts his betrayal, death, and resurrection appearance during last super

1-5) Jesus; Passover in 2 days, Son of Man crucified, chief priest/elders schemed to kill him

6-9) Jesus head anointed perfume at Bethany, indignant disciples; money for poor

10-13) Jesus; beautiful prepares my body for burial - gospel preached, her deed will also be told

14-16) Judas agrees to betray for 30 silver

17-21) day one Unleavened Bread, prepare Passover, "appointed time is near" - reveal one of twelve betrays

22-25) Sad they all suspect themselves, better to be unborn - Judas identified

26-30) While eating Jesus broke bread, take and eat this is my body, thanks for the cup, drink this is my blood of the covenant poured out for many, forgiveness of sins. sang hymn, mount of Olives

 - What was a blood covenant (Genesis 15:9-21)?

Hebrews 6:13-18;9:19-21,22,23,24-28;10:4

believe God (Galatians 3:7; Genesis 15:6). God’s promise of eternal blessing is given only on the basis of faith in the saving blood of His Son, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:12)

31-35) All will fall away tonight, after I've risen I'll go ahead of you to Galilee. Peter argues revealed 3 times betrayer

B) Jesus overwhelmed prays the Fathers will be done, energized while disciples slept - Matt 26:36-46

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Perspective of goats with the sheep (Matthew 25:31-46, Isaiah 65:14)

 Isaiah 65:14

My servants will shout for joy with a glad heart, but you will cry out with a heavy heart and wail with a broken spirit.

• The wicked man will see and be grieved; he will gnash his teeth and waste away; the desires of the wicked will perish. - Psalm 112:10

Matthew 25:31-46

Thinking about characteristics of those who are found NOT good and faithful are similar to false prophets, hypocrites, and the selfish. Said another way they are "actively wrong", "inwardly self-deceived" and only looking out for themselves. This section comes after the Parable of ten virgins Matthew 25:1-13) and the parable of talents (Matthew 25:14-30) further illustrating these ideas.

• 2 Peter 2:17, springs without water
• Ephesians 4:14, tossed around by every teaching (this reminds me of knowing how algebra works to get the answer verses looking at multiple choice to guess the right answer. In other words, you don't have to prove all the wrong answers when you know how to arrive at the correct answer.)
• Jude 1:12-13, shepherding only themselves, clouds without rain, wondering stars headed for total darkness
• Matthew 13:38, weeds are sown by the evil one

Good and faithful disciples help people obey everything Jesus commanded

(Matthew 25:34-36) Feed the hungry, give water to thirsty, give clothing to naked, care for the sick, visit the imprisoned 

 

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I never knew you explained in parable of virgins (Matthew 7:23, Matthew 25:12)

Lamps with Joyful oil (Matthew 25:4, Psalm 45:7)

Parables of Jesus are primarily about Salvation: 

5 were wise, 5 were foolish. The wise had extra oil for their lamps while they waited, so they could see the Lord when he came. ..Afterward, the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

Matthew 7:21-23 - not a profession or work but to know Him (1 John 2:3)

Listen to Jesus, do what He commands that you may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. (Luke 9:35,Rev 22:14)

Have you been foolish?  Have you neglected to repent? If not what changes need you make today (as long as it's called today)? Jesus said only one sin won't be forgiven, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Matthew 12:31 Can blasphemy be forgiven?

How did we turn into the likes of foolish virgins?

False prophets introduce destructive heresies, ignoring facts of wrath (2 Peter 2)

Diagnostics of a depraved psychology and consequences (Romans 1:18-32)

How to fill yourself up with God's will for your life?

Arm yourselves also with the same attitude as Christ (1 Peter 4:1-4)

Real Christianity, pursue holiness

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The sower and soils explained in parable of talents (Matthew 13:12, 25:29)

Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. -  Matthew 13:12

For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. - Matthew 25:29

Consistent with Luke:

Pay attention, therefore, to how you listen. Whoever has will be given more, but whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him." - Luke 8:18

Master,' they said, 'he already has ten!' He replied, ‘I tell you that everyone who has will be given more; but the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. - Luke 19:25-27

Discovering the Light of listening and being Salt (Luke 8-14), makes me want to continue from 14-19.

I met John Bevere years ago at Ameriprise, SALT before I went to Myanmar for the first time, he taught us about multiplication = good and faithful while maintaining = wicked and lazy. 

What needs to change in my heart, regarding my view of God and what he’s entrusted to me?

What does knowing “good and faithful” = multiplication mean for my current ministry?

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Coming of the Son of Man will be unexpected, so be wise and faithful (Matthew 24:36-51)

AIM: Like days of Noah, most will be swept away and destroyed. 

Matthew 24:36-51

 A) Coming of the son of man will be visible, fearful, and unexpected (Matthew 24:27,30,37,39)

36-37) Father knows the time, like days of Noah, so will be at coming of Son of Man

 - 38-39) eating, drinking, marrying until Noah entered the ark, flood took all away

 - 40-41) of two, one taken the other left

B) Fit for service or damnation, binary options when the Son of Man comes

42-44) Keep watch, be ready like an owner protecting his house, Son of Man will come unexpectedly

45-46) Faithful and wise servant, the master gave charge of servants in his household, should be "on the clock" 

 - 47) truly fit for eternal service

 - 48-49) not avoidance of work, neglect, abuse, and drunkenness. 

 - 50-51) master comes unexpectantly, destroys the unfaithful/unwise and "assign him a place with the hypocrites", there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

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Jesus explains terrible times await his disciples yet his word stands forever (Matthew 24:1-35)

AIM: knowing what's ahead helps us in hard times Matthew 24

A) Jesus explains signs of the end of the age marked by deception, wickedness, dying love

1-3) Jesus "not one stone will be left on another", when, what sign of your coming end of age

4-8) Watch out, deceivers in my name (leaders/saviors), wars, rumors, don't be alarmed, such must happen, famines, earthquakes beginning of birth pains

9-10) disciples persecuted, put to death, hated by ALL nations, many turn away from The Faith, betray, hate each other

11-12) Many false prophets appear, deceive many people, increased wickedness love of MOST grow cold

B) Jesus encourages us to live the Gospel of the kingdom in spite of hardships

13-14) Stand firm to end will be saved, this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world, testimony to all nations - then the end will come.

 - Gospel only twice in Matthew 24:14 and alabaster jar woman Matthew 26:13 while Mark has it 5 times, additionally "For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. (Mark 8:35)", "Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. (Mark 10:28-29)

 - Dying to Self, being made alive for God (Luke 9; Gal 2:20,5:24; Romans 6, 12; 1 Peter 4)

C) The end is so much worse than now

15-21) see standing in holy place abomination that causes desolation, run for the mountains, great distress unequaled from the beginning of the world (Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11)

22-25) those days not short, no one would survive, false messiahs, false prophets appear, great signs and wonders to deceive, even elect - told ahead of time (John 16:1) so that you will not fall away

 - We have been given the Holy Spirit to decern what is true (John 16:1,8-15;Romans 6:1-23; 8:12-13; Ephesians 4:22–5:20; 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 7)

26-28) there wilderness, here inner rooms - don't believe. Like lightning is visible so will the coming of Son of Man. Carcass, vultures gather (devour widow's homes Mark 12:40 and Luke 20:47)

29) after those days, sun-darkened, no moonlight, stars fall from the sky, heavenly bodies shaken (Isaiah 13:10; 34:4)

30-31) then sign of Son of Man in heaven, ALL peoples mourn seeing Son of Man on the clouds, trumpet gather elect 

• Zechariah 12:10, Spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on[b] me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.
• 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
• Revelation 1:7, Look, he is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”;    and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.” So shall it be! Amen.

32-35) lesson from fig tree, this generation not pass away until all these happened. Heaven/earth pass away, but my words will never pass away

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Jesus teaches about true ministry in contrast to hypocrisy (Matthew 23:13-39)

AIM: Jesus helps leaders understand where sadness comes from  Matthew 23:13-39

Focus verse: Matthew 22:29 Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God."

A) Jesus explains ministry not done in the power of God is awful

13-14) Woe (great sorrow, distress, sadness, difficulty, trouble), teachers, hypocrites - shut door of the kingdom of heaven in people's faces, not entering, devouring widows, lengthy prayers for show

B) Jesus explains ministry is not about converting people and fundraising, rather justice, mercy and faithfulness

15) Travel far for single convert, succeeding to make them 2x child of hell

16-21) Blind guides, fools putting gold over sacred oaths, prayer is sacred

23-24) Woe, teachers, hypocrites, 10% of spices but neglected more important matters, justice, mercy, faithfulness

C) Jesus explains our inside person is all that counts

25-28) clean outside, but inside greed, self-indulgence, appearing righteous but full of hypocrisy and wickedness

29-36) Woe, you testify against yourselves, blood of righteous on your hands Abel, Zechariah

37-39) Jesus desires mercy, yet murders were not willing to receive it

 - Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord Psalm 118:26

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Jesus shows expert teachers their hypocrisy and how to cure it (Matthew 22:15-23:11)

 Matthew 22:15-23:39

A) Pharisees and Sadducees try to trap Jesus about government, Scripture, and God's will

15-20) Pharisees tried to trap Jesus with flattery and questions about paying tax

21-22) Jesus says, "give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's", left amazed

23-28) Sadducees who don't believe in resurrection ask Jesus about marriage at the resurrection

29-30) Jesus, "Your error; you don't know the Scriptures or the power of God, like angels/no marriage

 - 31-33) God said to you, I AM the God of Abraham, God of the living - not the dead", crowds astonished

34-36) Pharisees, get their expert; "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"

37-40) Jesus, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind - then Love your neighbor as yourself"

 - Love neighbor = show him complete mercy, at great expense - Luke 10:25-27,29-35,36-37

B) Jesus reminds them of the promised Messiah, the purpose of Scripture

41-42) Jesus asked Pharisees, "what do you think about the Messiah, Whose son is he?", David

43-46) If David speaking by the Spirit calls him Lord how can he be his son? No one could answer

 - Jesus refers to Psalm 110:1, concluding the idea at the Olivet discourse (Matthew 26:64). Jesus Son of man, Son of God "Lord said to my Lord" (Mark 12:36,14:62,16:19, Psalm 110:1)

23:1-4) Jesus, do everything Pharisees tell you from Scripture, but not what they do; "tie heavy loads on other's shoulders they aren't willing to carry"

5-7) Don't be like them who do everything for show, to be respected and honored as 'Rabbi'

8-10) Not 'Rabbi/father' since you have one Teacher (Spirit), one Father, one Instructor (Messiah)

11-12) Greatest will be servant, exalted will be humbled - those who humble themselves will be exalted

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Parables, truth for the receptive and faithful (Matthew 13:12, 21:28-22:14, 25:29)

BSF notes for lesson 22 had this big statement: "Parables are practical stories that illustrate truth for the receptive." The notes back up this claim with Matthew 13:10-17 which brought me to explore verse 12 "Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them." Mark 4 and Luke 8 also have the parable of the sower/soils as the foundational parable of Jesus. 

 - this is a good definition for faith, we receive faith as a gift (Eph 2:8-9), we walk into faithfulness doing what we believe is true (Eph 2:10). We experience the abundance that is more than we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).

I recalled the statement as "...even what they think they have will be taken from them." So I dug into Matt 13:12 and found the reference to Luke 8:18, "Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them."

 - most of the time when we are in error, we don't think we are in error. Discovering the Light of listening and being Salt (Luke 8-14)

 - receptive = listeners who consider carefully. 

Jesus gives us a few more of these "whoever has will be given more"

 - Parable of Talents, Money and the gospel, Can imperfect people please the perfect God?

Matthew 25:29: For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 

 - Rags to Riches, how the Holy Spirit changes us everyday

Luke 19:26: He replied, 'I tell you that everyone who has will be given more; but the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.

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Jesus teaches how faith is practical and effective (Matthew 21:18-22)

 Matthew 21:18-22:14

Want to "cut out (Matt 5:29-30)" what is not working, want to learn how to die to self? Jesus shows us how it happens immediately. Faith with God, spoken word prayer without a doubt. 

A) Jesus teaches how desire can prompt us towards prayer of deliverance

18-19) Jesus hungry, sees fig tree without figs, "May you never bear fruit again" it immediately withered

 - Thinking of this in terms of addiction, which tricks us into being "hungry" for it, in faith we can say NO, NEVER AGAIN, and receive immediate deliverance. 

 - He saw the figs didn't have fruit, we must know the truth for the truth can set us free. Addictive substances offer no real relief or support, rather they only pacify the withdrawal (feeling of hunger). 

 - Sometimes we need prayer and fasting to gain deliverance. (Mark 9:29)

20-22) Disciples asked how, Jesus "Fatih without doubt, believe = receive whatever you ask for in prayer"

 - 20th of 31 "truly I tell you" in Matthew, 6 are about faith, and words Matthew 8:9,10;17:20;18:18,19;21:21,22;26:13 But rest are about judgment and fulfillment of the law at the end of all things.

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Heaven is like a wedding feast, you're invited but will you show up? (Matthew 22:1-14)

This week I got to participate in a weekend to remember with Kim. We learned that no marriage is static, we are either moving towards oneness or drifting towards isolation. I discovered my tendency for shallow, cliche, level 1 conversation they defined as "non-sharing." My personality (Enneagram 3) leans towards this. Having renewed my vows yesterday, I'm taking this moment to move from Level 5 phoniness to integrity. Like when I first was married I quit smoking for good, now I quit drinking alcohol for good. I'm grateful to God for friends and circumstances that help me to see which way to go but also when to stop and take in the moment. God invites us to remember his goodness and to be ready to celebrate with him. I've updated my core values, adding sobriety to the list. 

Matthew 22:1-14 has the last of 10 Kingdom of heaven is like parables. Parables of Jesus are primarily about Salvation

1-3)  Kingdom of heaven, king wedding banquet for son, telling invited to come but they refused.

4-7) "it's wonderful and ready" come, yet paid no attention went off; field, business, anti-christ, king enraged destroyed them

8-10) Invited were undeserving, so servants ALL they could find, bad and good filled the hall with guests.

God makes saving faith available to all people, yet some reject it

11-13) Guest without wedding clothes, speechless, thrown out.

Rags to Riches, how the Holy Spirit changes us everyday, remember God becomes like clothing to me (Job 30:18, Matthew 16:24-28)

14) Many invited few are chosen 

(none of those men who were invited [and rejected the offer because they had other things to do] shall taste my banquet Luke 14:24)

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. Luke 14:11

Be careful and guarded against hypocrisy and learned-deception (Matthew 16:1-12)

For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just. Luke 14:14

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Jesus explains working in his kingdom is about giving not taking (Matthew 19:30-21:17)

 Matthew 19:30-21:17

A) 9th parable of the kingdom of heaven shows God's generosity to undeserving workers

Matthew 19:30) First last, last first

20:1) "kingdom of heaven is like" a generous landowner hiring workers in his vineyard

 - sowing good seed (Matt 13:24)

 - a mustard seed (Matthew 13:31)

 - yeast working through the dough (Matt 13:33)

 - treasure hid in a field (Matt 13:44)

 - merchant looking for pearls (Matt 13:45)

 - a net catching all kinds of fish (Matt 13:47)

 - teachers made into disciples, bringing treasures new and old (Matt 13:52)

 - king settling accounts with servants (Matt 18:23)

 - generous landowner hiring workers in his vineyard (Matt: 20:1)

 - king prepared a wedding banquet for his son (Matt 22:2)

2-7) morning, specific agreement, 9 whatever is right, noon, 3, 5 same

8-12) last got what was specified to earliest workers, they grumbled against the landowner

13-16) God is generous, last first, first last. 

B) Understanding Jesus life, death and resurrection requires a divine touch and a spiritual awakening (Matt 20:17-21:11)

17-19) Jesus tells the twelve about his death and resurrection to come in Jerusalem

20-21) James and John, along with their mother, wanted high positions in Jesus’ kingdom. Their mother recognized Jesus as the Messiah King and wanted her sons aligned with Him

22-23) Drink the cup I'm going to drink? (Matt 20:18-19), yes, but the position is up to Father

24-28) Jesus teaches indignant disciples, the first serves and gives life as ransom for many (20:13-16)

 - dying to self, being made alive for God is a major theme in the Christian faith

29-34) the blind receive sight by asking for mercy and asking to see, the were touch, saw and immediately followed him

21:1-11) people of Psalm Sunday city-wide parade, Jesus’ celebrity entrance in Jerusalem and Temple interrupts everyone

C) Jesus knocks ‘business’ away from ministry (Matt 21:12-17)

(12-13) Jesus enters Temple, drives out people buying/selling animals for sacrifice and knocked over tables saying scriptures declare My Temple house of prayer, you turned it into a den of thieves!

(14) Jesus healed blind, lame who came to him in Temple

(15) Leading priest, teachers of religious law saw miracles, heard children shouting “Praise God for the Son of David” but they were indignant

(16-17) Haven’t you read scriptures ‘You taught children/infants to give you praise’, Jesus returned to Bethany

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Humble like children, poor in spirit get the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:13-29, 5:3,17)

Focus verse: 

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

Big idea: Only humble people are blessed with God

Matthew 19:13-29

13-15) Jesus encouraged everyone to bring children to him, placed hands (and blessed them, Mark 10:16)

 - kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these

16-19) What good thing to get eternal life? Keep commandments regarding people. 

 - We should teach and follow these today (Deuteronomy 4:5,5:31,31:12)

20) Having done this, we still lack perfection

21) Perfection = selling possessions, giving to poor = treasure in heaven, "THEN come follow me"

 - Give up idols, keep commandments regarding God = Love the Lord your God

 - Like Caleb and Joshua (Numbers 14:24, Joshua 14:8,9), not like everyone else (Numbers 32:11)

 - Receives Jesus word with a noble and good heart (Luke 8:15), 10 types of people, those who understand binary and those who don't

 - Like the disciples (Matthew 4:19), like Matthew (Matthew 9:9–13, Mark 2:13–17, Luke 5:27–28) 

22) not like rich young ruler, sad because of great wealth (Matthew 13:22)

23-26) only small, humble people enter the kingdom of heaven, man can't be humble without God

27-29) everyone who leaves selfish life for Christ sake, receives 100 times and inherits eternal life

 - Prosperity gospel; now and forever, forever is always of greater concern. God first, then people, then work/things

 - Spiritual prosperity fulfills God's promise (Genesis 50:20)

 - Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity - no shortcuts (Proverbs 21:5)

 - Blessings of Moses, explained by Jesus (Deuteronomy 28:1-14;Matthew 5:1-19)

 - Ministry makes a difference ONLY when people follow Jesus Christ

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