The Last Week
What would you do if you only had one week left to live? This week we begin a new series in Matthew that I’ve entitled, “The Last Week.”
In this new series, as we progress through the Book of Matthew, we will examine through the eyes of Matthew (and borrowing some details from Mark, Luke and John) what Jesus did in his last week on earth in human form.
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The Bold
At the end of Matthew chapter twenty, there are a couple of blind men who Matthew tells us in vs 30,
…cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!”
I think it’s too easy to quickly pass over a story like this. We reason that, yes, they cried out for Jesus to help them, but wouldn’t anybody who was blind do the same?
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Servants and Slaves
Within the hearts of the disciples of Jesus was the desire to be great, but not great in the way that God defines greatness. They wanted to be great in the way that the world defines greatness. They wanted to be in charge. To run the show. To have the authority. To be the boss. They often fought about who was the greatest among them.
In Matthew 20:26, Jesus responded to them in their wrong way of thinking by saying,
26…whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant;
Jesus was explaining to them that they were completely wrong in their thinking. Not a little bit wrong. Completely wrong.
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A Key to Confidence
Over the years I’ve learned through a lot of trial and error what helps me to speak with the most confidence.
There are many factors that come into play when it comes to speaking with confidence, but there is only one that I highly esteem: knowledge.
Think about it. What questions do you love to answer? In my experience, I’ve found that most people love to answer questions regarding subjects in which they are very knowledgeable. Even people who are presumed to be quiet or shy typically enjoy speaking out when they are knowledgeable.
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Fairness
There are some things that are crucial for Christians to understand. One of those things is our understanding of fairness.
Oxford Dictionary defines fairness as, impartial and just treatment or behavior without favoritism or discrimination.
If we don’t have a good understanding of fairness, our thinking can get really messed up. So what do we need to know, exactly? Here are a couple things that help:
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Very Sad Words
Some of the saddest words recorded in the Bible are in Matthew 19:22 –
22 But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.
No matter how many times I read it, the story of the “Rich Young Ruler” always causes me heartache. How could he walk away? On bended knee before the Lord Jesus, he’s invited by the Lord Himself to
22 …come, follow Me.
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Overwhelmed by Grace
This week was an especially difficult week of study for me. I truly felt all of the limitations of an unseasoned minister. What do I mean?
I attempted to do something that I rarely ever attempt – a topical sermon! I don’t understand how so many other preachers do it. Not only did I attempt to do a topical sermon, I attempted to put together a topical sermon about the implications of the resurrection of Jesus!
I pulled it off, kind of. I did tons of research and formulated an outline that had four major points. That’s not so bad. The trouble I ran into was that each major point that I developed had no less than five sub-points, which, could have all been major points themselves.
I actually finished a sermon outline complete with PowerPoint presentation that included twenty-four points. Because I worked so long and so hard on it, I tried to convince myself to preach it. In the end, I couldn’t do it. I could’ve preached that sermon for three hours.
During one of the Apostle Paul’s sermons, do you remember the young man that fell out of the window and died? (Acts 20:9) His name was Eutychus. He fell three stories to his death. Why? The NIV Bible says that the young man fell into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on.
Looking at my outline, that’s all I could think of.
So, what did I do? I thanked God for the great time in study that I spent with Him this week. I thanked Him for the depth of knowledge that I gained. I thanked Him for the multitude of wonderful realties that are ours to enjoy because Jesus rose from the dead. I encourage you to go on a similar journey of exploration through your Bible. I assure you; you will be overwhelmed by grace.
I then took a deep breath, chose a text with three wonderful verses regarding the resurrection and I started over.
Thank you for your patience with me. In the words of Jon Anderson, “I’m just an old chuck of coal, but I’m gonna be a diamond someday!”
Much love!
Wes LeFlore (918) 607-8489 or huskerwes1@gmail.com
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Salvation Strategies?
In the long history of the Church, there is only one teaching strategy that I have ever approved of in order to lead others to salvation, which is, to teach salvation in the same manner as Jesus.
Jesus’ teaching on salvation was not popular in His time and it certainly is not popular in our time. Why not? One reason is because His teaching regarding salvation often sounded like He was discouraging people to follow Him instead of encouraging them.
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Regarding Children
The Biblical teaching regarding children and our responsibilities to them is clear. What are we doing to live out the Biblical teaching?
Here is a checklist of things to remember regarding children from the Bible:
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Have You Not Read?
A trend that I find bizarre in churches is when its members get upset at the teaching of God’s Word.
I’m not talking about the false teaching of the Word. I’m not talking about when people get upset because of a harsh delivery of the Word either. I can understand people being upset, rightly, about those things.
What I’m referring to is the thoughtful, skillful, kind and precise teaching of the Word that still upsets the believer.
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