DOCSLIB.ORG

August142016.Pdf

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

August 15 - The Assumption of the masses Monday, August 15 The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Blessed Virgin Mary The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a feast day 9:00 a.m. For the People of the Parish celebrated by the Church every year on August 15. What Tuesday, August 16 it brings to mind is the height to which the Church has 7:30 a.m. Lloyd Opp-Family elevated this special woman. At the end of Mary's earthly 6:45 p.m. Jo Ottaviani-Bob & Dianne Donlan course, she was assumed into heavenly glory, body and Wednesday, August 17 soul. This teaching was dogmatically dened by Pius XII 9:00 a.m. Mary Francis-Sonja Ralph on November 1, 1950. Thursday, August 18 Collect for the Feast of the Assumption 7:30 a.m. For the People of the Parish Almighty and everlasting God, Friday, August 19 You have taken up body and soul 9:00 a.m. Jack Holt-Family into the heavenly glory the Immaculate Virgin Mary, Saturday, August 20 Mother of Your Son: Grant, we beseech You, 9:00 a.m. Darrel Francis-Sonja Ralph that ever intent upon heavenly things, 4:00 p.m. Mary Lew Edmunds-Tom & Rosemary Bosco we may be worthy to be partakers of her glory. Sunday, August 21 Through Jesus Christ Your Son, our Lord, 8:00a.m. For the People of the Parish who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, 9:30a.m. George Randle-Family One God, forever and ever. Amen 11:30a.m. Gale Metcalf-Janet & Sarah --Roman Missal servers Saturday, August 20 Mass on August 15 9:00 a.m. Megan Dorr, Chris Moll Monday, August 15th is the Assumption of the 4:00 p.m. Katie & Drew Mussman, Johnny Sebastian Blessed Virgin Mary , the Mass will be celebrated at Sunday, August 21 9 a.m. Please join us! 8:00 a.m. Caroline, Claire & Will Earls 9:30 a.m. Sean Kennedy, Daniel Lantz, Annelise Holy Father’s August Prayer Intentions Salomon 11:30 a.m. Catherine Henning, George & Drew Williams Universal: Sports That sports may be an opportunity for friendly readings encounters between peoples and may contribute to Twenty-rst Sunday in Ordinary Time: Aug. 21 peace in the world. Isaiah 66:18-21 Evangelization: Living the Gospel Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13 That Christians may live the Gospel, giving witness to Luke 13:22-30 faith, honesty, and love of neighbor. The Gift of Sport Collection Sunday, August 7 ................... 18,274.15 "Give thanks to God for the gift of sport, in which the human person exercises his Projected weekly Collection ........................ 19,388.00 body, intellect and will, recognizing these Collection under budget, Aug. 7. .............. 1,113.85 abilities as so many gifts of his Creator." Budgeted YTD Collection as of May 31….....1,010,000 --Saint John Paul II YTD Collection under budget as of May 31…..95, 261 Want to write fewer checks? Sign up for Electronic Fund Transfer. To enroll go to our website calendar www.smchp.com and click on “Giving” found at the Please visit www.smchp.com for the most current info. top of the main page. Any questions? Call Je Tuesday, August 16: Rinear 321-1207 ext. 5502. Mass, Church, 6:45 p.m. *to increase your electronic giving: Log in to Catechesis/Education Comm., Seton Ctr., 6 p.m. smchp.weshareonline.org and click Payments & Saturday, August 20: Schedules/Click Edit next to Sunday Wedding of Olivia Castellini & Andrew Roscoe, Oerings/Enter in your new account/ Church, 11 a.m., Fr. Bill Verbryke Click Apply Questions contact Thursday-Sunday, August 18-21 Je Rinear at 321-1207 ext. 5502. St. Mary FunFest all weekend, check pages 7, 8 & 9 for the weekend lineup of events! AUGUST 14, 2016 —TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME From the desk of Fr. Ken SMS school news Classes for the 2016-17 RCIA will begin on Thursday, Oct. 20 FROM OUR SCHOOL OFFICE at 7 p.m For those interested, call the Parish Oce (321- May God Bless our school families with a safe 1207). and peaceful summer. School supply lists Our festival kicks o this week with the 5k run on Thursday. and suggested summer reading lists are Please come with your family and friends, & enjoy fellowship located on our website. and pray for good weather! A note of thanks! A heartfelt thank you to Anne Marie Summer Oce Hours at School Newman for her tireless eorts to plan and implement a fun Beginning August 15 - 8:00am-4:00pm and faith-lled VBS. Anne Marie’s kindness and respect for the Be sure to visit us at www.smshp.com to children and adults showed in every meeting and greeting. In view photos of SMS Life or call the school addition to her generous gift of time, Anne Marie heaped oce at 321-0703 gratitude and assistance in every VBS station. We couldn’t if you would like to arrange a tour. have experienced the awesome “Joseph’s Journey” without Anne Marie. Little Cougars Fall Soccer Thank you and Are you looking for a way to get your child involved in thank you athletics here at St. Mary? Little Cougars is a great way for again! you and your child to stay active, become involved and make Jubilee Year of Mercy new friends! Registration is now open to all Fall 2016/2017 Meditations on Mercy St. Mary Parish kindergarteners. The season will be held on Scripture: Mt. 5: 3-12 Wednesday’s, September 14th- October 12th, from 5-6pm at "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Otto Armleder Park. kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who If you have any questions please feel free to contact Molly mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are Bruegge at [email protected] or 859-992-1591. the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed Registration will be open until September 7th. are they who hunger and thirst for To sign up please visit: www.stmarysoccer.assn.la righteousness, for they will be satised. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean Thanks to everyone that helped with our of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called Children of God. Blessed are they who inspiring Vacation Bible School are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the this summer! kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you We would like to thank the St. Mary VBS Planning Team for and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you putting on a wonderful Vacation Bible School for the (falsely) because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward parish! A huge shout-out to Katie Barton, Laura Borsky, Molly will be great in heaven." Bruegge, Christa Calcitrai, Brian Geeding, Tracey Haslinger, Reection Wendy Kiley, Jennifer McKian, Elizabeth Pyles, Nanette "...This passage is commonly referred to as the Beatitudes and Schroeder, Clare Taylor, Holly Weeks, and Angie Williams for begins Matthew's account of the Sermon on the Mount. all their hard work, creativity, and energy in planning such a 'Beatitude refers to a state of deep happiness or fun week for the children! We would also like to thank Kate joy.' [Matthew's passage] helps us see how our actions are Sebastian and Jacob Zimmerman for their amazing talents in directed toward our eternal goal of sharing in the Kingdom of teaching the children the VBS music and Joseph's God. Like the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, the story. Thank you! Beatitudes help us form our moral lives and illustrate that the foundation of these actions is the love of God. Young Adult’s In particular, the Beatitude, "Blessed are the merciful, for they The young adult group is for anyone will be shown mercy", reminds us of our goal for this Jubilee in their 20s/30s who are looking to of Mercy to be "merciful like the Father." If we allow our grow in faith and friendship. We actions to be informed by the mercy of God, then they will meet after the 6:45p.m. Mass on the naturally help lead us to our beatitude, life eternal with God rst Tuesday of the month at Holy in the Kingdom. When we incorporate the mercy of God into Grounds coee house located in the our lives, our actions reveal to others the love of God. ..." red house just behind St. Mary * What are some commonalities that you see between the church adjacent to the parking corporal and spiritual works of mercy and the Beatitudes? lot. Anyone who has questions and/or is interested may *How can the attitudes of life that are seen in the Beatitudes contact Daron Monnin at 937-361-6640 or email help you in living out the love of God? ([email protected]) --USCCB Adapted Like us on our facebook page St. Mary Young Adult Ministry. St. Mary FunFest Buzz Notes 2016 Worship 101 THANK YOU to this Gold Sponsors of the week: "Are Catholic Beliefs Rooted in the Bible?” The Gertz Law Firm and the Tony & Kristy Not only are Catholic teachings rooted in the Bible, the Catholic Church, having been given authority by Jesus Gertz Family Christ and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, compiled Bell Dental the Bible in the form that it exists today. The Catholic Scarlet & Gray Church has as its sole rule of faith the entire Word of God, Merrill Lynch as it is found in Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition.
Recommended publications
  • September 20, 2020

    September 20, 2020

    September 20, 2020 The mission of The First Presbyterian Church in Germantown is to reflect the loving presence of Christ as we serve others faithfully, worship God joyfully and share life together in a diverse and generous community. September 20, 2020 "Above all the grace and gifts that Christ gives to his beloved is that of overcoming self." - Francis of Assisi ORDER OF MORNING WORSHIP AT 10:00 AM GATHERING AS GOD’S FAMILY Prelude: And Can it Be? Dan Forrest trans. Isaac Dae Young Welcome and Announcements †*Call to Worship Rev. Kevin Porter One: Coming from places that have seen better days, Many: God bids us to celebrate this day, a day full of new possibilities. One: Coming with our breath taken away by grief, Many: the Holy Spirit breathes new life within us, renewing our connection with God and with one another. One: Coming to worship seeking a hope that will endure, Many: Christ unbinds the fetters that hold us in death, speaking in word and sacrament, and building community for holy service. One: Coming to worship seeking a hope that will endure, All: Coming together even as we are apart. Coming to worship the Lord! *Hymn 464: Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee FAITHFULNESS Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love; Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, Opening to the sun above, Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; Drive the dark of doubt away; Giver of immortal gladness, Fill us with the light of day! All Thy works with joy surround Thee, Earth and heaven reflect Thy rays, Stars and angels sing around Thee, Center of unbroken praise; Field and forest, vale and mountain, Flowery meadow, flashing sea, Chanting bird and flowing fountain Call us to rejoice in Thee.
  • Matthew 23:1-39

    Matthew 23:1-39

    CONNECT THE THOUGHTS Dethroning Religious Idols- Matthew 23:1-39 In chapter 23, Jesus' repartition of "Woe to you" creates an interesting contrast to the "Blessed are" persons described in chapter 5 of the Sermon on the Mount, which addresses many of the same subjects. Prophets in the Jewish tradition characteristically announced the judgment of the covenant god upon his rebellious people, and (sometimes) announced also the inauguration of a new movement, a time when Israel’s god would again act graciously for his people. Part of Jesus’ prophetic persona was that he did both. The 'pronouncement of woe' is a prophetic style of communication that was used by several of the Old Testament prophets. A good example of this is found in Habakkuk 2 where the Lord speaking through the prophet pronounces 5 woes against the Babylonians, then ends the chapter with, "The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him." This foretell the destruction of the Babylonians, and Israel's return from captivity to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple where in the Lord will reside. However as you will see here in Matthew 23, after Jesus pronounces woes upon the religious leaders and Jerusalem itself, He say, "Your house will be left to you desolate." Making idols of your leaders (vv 1-12) Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2 “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.
  • Reading the Gospels for Lent

    Reading the Gospels for Lent

    Reading the Gospels for Lent 2/26 John 1:1-14; Luke 1 Birth of John the Baptist 2/27 Matthew 1; Luke 2:1-38 Jesus’ birth 2/28 Matthew 2; Luke 2:39-52 Epiphany 2/29 Matthew 3:1-12; Mark 1:1-12; Luke 3:1-20; John 1:15-28 John the Baptist 3/2 Matthew 3:13-4:11; Mark 1:9-13; Luke 3:20-4:13; John 1:29-34 Baptism & Temptation 3/3 Matthew 4:12-25; Mark 1:14-45; Luke 4:14-5:16; John 1:35-51 Calling Disciples 3/4 John chapters 2-4 First miracles 3/5 Matthew 9:1-17; Mark 2:1-22; Luke 5:17-39; John 5 Dining with tax collectors 3/6 Matthew 12:1-21; Mark 2:23-3:19; Luke 6:1-19 Healing on the Sabbath 3/7 Matthew chapters 5-7; Luke 6:20-49 7 11:1-13 Sermon on the Mount 3/9 Matthew 8:1-13; & chapter 11; Luke chapter 7 Healing centurion’s servant 3/10 Matthew 13; Luke 8:1-12; Mark 4:1-34 Kingdom parables 3/11 Matthew 8:15-34 & 9:18-26; Mark 4:35-5:43; Luke 8:22-56 Calming sea; Legion; Jairus 3/12 Matthew 9:27-10:42; Mark 6:1-13; Luke 9:1-6 Sending out the Twelve 3/13 Matthew 14; Mark 6:14-56; Luke 9:7-17; John 6:1-24 Feeding 5000 3/14 John 6:25-71 3/16 Matthew 15 & Mark 7 Canaanite woman 3/17 Matthew 16; Mark 8; Luke 9:18-27 “Who do people say I am?” 3/18 Matthew 17; Mark 9:1-23; Luke 9:28-45 Transfiguration 3/19 Matthew 18; Mark 9:33-50 Luke 9:46-10:54 Who is the greatest? 3/20 John chapters 7 & 8 Jesus teaches in Jerusalem 3/21 John chapters 9 & 10 Good Shepherd 3/23 Luke chapters 12 & 13 3/24 Luke chapters 14 & 15 3/25 Luke 16:1-17:10 3/26 John 11 & Luke 17:11-18:14 3/27 Matthew 19:1-20:16; Mark 10:1-31; Luke 18:15-30 Divorce & other teachings 3/28
  • Topic: the Gospel Preached by Jesus Date: February 26, 2020 Introduction

    Topic: the Gospel Preached by Jesus Date: February 26, 2020 Introduction

    Topic: The Gospel preached by Jesus Date: February 26, 2020 Introduction: It is generally taught that Jesus proclaimed a gospel that was no different from that given to the Apostle Paul, the apostle of the Gentiles, but is this really true? This study will examine aspects of the gospel account according to Matthew, in comparison to the gospel which was delivered to Paul. The word “gospel” means “a good message” and first occurs in Matthew 4:23. The subject of the good message is determined by the context of the passage: for example, we are told Jesus preached “the gospel of the kingdom” (Matthew 4:23); yet Paul was “to testify the gospel of the grace of God” which he received of the Lord Jesus (Acts 20:24). Paul also taught the Galatians the gospel to which they were called was “the grace of Christ” (Galatians 1:6). What, then is the essence of the “gospel of the kingdom” declared by Jesus, and are we to understand that Jesus instructed Paul to preach the very same gospel? Study: 1. Starting with the work of John the Baptist: a. Read Matthew 3:1-12 i. v.2 what is it to “repent”, and of what was to be repented? 1. Read Acts 19:1-7; how does this passage explain John’s baptism? ii. The Apostle Paul also speaks of repentance on several occasions: 1. Read 2Corinthians 7:8-10; what is the matter of repentance? 2. Read Romans 11:25-32; what is the matter of repentance? 3. Read 2Timothy 2:24-26; what is the matter of repentance? iii.
  • Matthew 20:17-28 – Lent 4 – 3/21/2020

    Matthew 20:17-28 – Lent 4 – 3/21/2020

    Pastor Daniel Waldschmidt – Matthew 20:17-28 – Lent 4 – 3/21/2020 Imagine an organizational chart for a company or a government. That organizational chart probably has the most powerful person at the top: the CEO or the president or the king. And then under him are his second and third and fourth in command and it goes on from there. Now imagine an organizational chart where the king or the president or the CEO is on the bottom. Today Jesus says that that is the organizational chart for the kingdom of God, with the Lord taking the lowest place and serving everybody else.1 Today Jesus says, “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). And Jesus tells us that if we want to be great in the Kingdom of God, we need to take the lowest place and serve others. You see in the Kingdom of God everything is different. Today we see the Kingdom’s Way of Greatness. And the Kingdom’s Way of Greatness is to Suffer with Jesus and to Serve like Jesus. Follow the Kingdom’s Way of Greatness I. Suffer with Jesus II. Serve like Jesus First, Follow the Kingdom’s Way of Greatness: Suffer with Jesus. In the Gospel for today from Matthew chapter 20 Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. And he was going up to Jerusalem to suffer and die. He wanted to prepare his disciples for this and so he took them aside and told them what was going to happen to him.
  • Matthew 19-20: Commitment to the Kingdom

    Matthew 19-20: Commitment to the Kingdom

    Life & Teachings of Jesus Lecture 22, page 1 Matthew 19-20: Commitment to the Kingdom In Matthew 19 there is a theme of service to the kingdom of God, which is shown by love towards one’s spouse and toward children, and respect for everyone in the Christian community. These points were made by two antithetical questions. First the Pharisees asked, “How little can I give, what is the minimal service that I can render to my spouse?” And Jesus gave the answer, “You should not be asking that question; you should ask rather what God’s plan for marriage is.” Shortly after that a rich young ruler came and asked, “If I give the maximum to God, can I be sure that God will notice and will in some way reward me or give me my due for this form of service?” Jesus showed that was a faulty question too because he had not really given the maximum to God. Then Peter said, “While he would not give up everything, we have. What then will there be for us? What reward will we have?” Jesus answered Peter and the other disciples, saying, “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.
  • Luke 19:28-40 Entry Into Jerusalem • Let’S Read It

    Luke 19:28-40 Entry Into Jerusalem • Let’S Read It

    4/2/2019 Luke’s Gospel Chapters 16-24 Opening Prayer Four Sessions Left in this Luke Bible Study a. April 3 – Entry into Jerusalem, Last Supper & Passion b. April 10 – The Resurrection of Jesus c. April 17 – The Film “Invictus” Luke 19:28-40 Entry Into Jerusalem • Let’s read it. What strikes you? a. There were many grand entries into Jerusalem like that of Alexander the Great 300 years before Jesus. He praised Jerusalem, its temple, and with the acquiescence of the temple leaders, he offered (pagan) sacrifice in the Jerusalem Temple. b. They were similar to Generals entering Rome and parading in procession after a great military victory, pulled by white horses in a chariot where the victorious general wears a crown of laurel made of an aromatic evergreen. c. The conquered kings, people, and property were paraded for everyone to see, so that the people could praise the general, proclaiming words like “Godspell” or “Good News.” d. The Roman soldiers and General would often proclaim words like “Godspell” or “Gospel” or “Good News,” that is, of a Roman victory, so let’s celebrate. e. This is where Mark gets the name “Gospel” yet it is a very different kind of “Good News” that Mark and the others proclaim about Jesus. f. Jesus’ entry is similar to these, in that, he is riding an animal and people acclaim him, praising God, “Hosanna, Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord.” g. Jesus’ entry is quite different: he rides a donkey, will cleanse the temple, wears not a crown of laurel but will wear a crown of thorns.

  • Intertextuality and the Portrayal of Jeremiah the Prophet

    Scholars Crossing LBTS Faculty Publications and Presentations Summer 2013 Intertextuality and the Portrayal of Jeremiah the Prophet Gary E. Yates Liberty University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/lts_fac_pubs Part of the Biblical Studies Commons Recommended Citation Yates, Gary E., "Intertextuality and the Portrayal of Jeremiah the Prophet" (2013). LBTS Faculty Publications and Presentations. 391. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/lts_fac_pubs/391 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Crossing. It has been accepted for inclusion in LBTS Faculty Publications and Presentations by an authorized administrator of Scholars Crossing. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ________________________________________________________________________________ BIBLIOTHECA SACRA 170 (July–September 2013): 283–300 INTERTEXTUALITY AND THE PORTRAYAL OF JEREMIAH THE PROPHET Gary E. Yates IMOTHY POLK HAS NOTED, “Nothing distinguishes the book of Jeremiah from earlier works of prophecy quite so much as T the attention it devotes to the person of the prophet and the prominence it accords the prophetic ‘I’, and few things receive more scholarly comment.”1 More than simply providing a biographical or psychological portrait of the prophet, the book presents Jeremiah as a theological symbol who embodies in his person the word of Yahweh and the office of prophet.2 In fact the figure of Jeremiah is so central that a theology of the book of Jeremiah “cannot be for- mulated without taking into account the person of the prophet, as the book presents him.”3 The purpose of this article is to explore how intertextual con- nections to other portions of the Bible inform a deeper understand- ing of the portrayal of Jeremiah the prophet and his theological significance in the book of Jeremiah.
  • The Offense of Grace Matthew 20:1-16

    The Offense of Grace Matthew 20:1-16

    The Offense of Grace Matthew 20:1-16 ESV 2 Timothy 2:1 “…be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus “ Jesus was a fascinating figure in his day. He attracted attention from those enthralled with him, and those who were enraged with him. The Gospel writers tell us over and over that people were amazed at his teaching. Wouldn’t you love to have been there to hear the teaching of Christ for the first time? ESV Matthew 20:1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ 5 So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ 8 And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.’ 9 And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius.
  • Matthew 20;1-16

    Matthew 20;1-16

    Garrett Vickrey" Pentecost 16+ | Keeping Up, Part 4" Woodland Baptist Church" 9.24.17 San Antonio, TX" Keeping Up” Matthew 20:1-16 Have you ever been over to Keiran Shinkins, a Woodland someone’s house and you notice member, grew up in Ireland in a immediately things are different? good Irish Catholic family. Keiran’s Different customs. Different food. mother would make sure that You look around comparing how everyone was blessed with Holy things are different between this water coming and leaving the household and your own. house. Splash your fingers in the Everybody does things a little water by the door and do the sign differently in their own household. of the cross — coming and going. Maybe your house is one where And in cast you try to sneak out you ask everyone to take off their the back door— there was holy shoes at the door. Maybe you water back there too. Every greet with a kiss. I have friends household has it’s own traditions. who sing prayers before dinner. Some treat guests better than Every household has it’s own family— reserving for guests the traditions. best seats and the big piece of chicken. Others are more My best friend’s house growing up concerned with treating everyone was just down the street. There equally— making sure that the was a certain custom in the chicken is justly shared or shared Sinclair house— whenever I would more generously with those who go hangout with my friend Kevin. have done the work to get it to the His grandmother lived with them.
  • Matthew 20:17-28 10/16/11 Next to Christ, Who Will Be the Greatest

    Matthew 20:17-28 10/16/11 Next to Christ, Who Will Be the Greatest

    WHO WILL BE GREATEST? Matthew 20:17-28 10/16/11 Next to Christ, who will be the greatest person in the kingdom of heaven? What makes a person truly great? How do you define true greatness? Is it by the number of people who recognize your name or face? Is it by the number of people who will remember you and miss you when you die? Is it the title that you carry or the academic degrees you hold? Is it by your accomplishments in the classroom, on the athletic field or at work? Is it the number of people who like you? Is it the amount of money that you make or the things that you own? Is it determined by the size of your house or the car you drive? Is it the number of people who envy your clothes or your looks? Is it the measured in the places you have gone on vacation or pleasures that you have been able to experience in life? Is greatness determined by the number of people who work for you? How do you define true greatness? More importantly, how does God define greatness? In Matthew 20:17-28 Jesus shows us and tells us what true greatness looks like. 1. Jesus was willingly going to Jerusalem to be mocked , scourged , crucified , and resurrected . 20:17-19 Jesus knew what is going to happen to Him in Jerusalem, yet He took the lead and resolutely marched toward the cross. Jesus is the greatest person who ever lived Yet He was willing to suffer and die for lowly rebellious people like you and me.
  • Eight Woes ( Matthew 23 ) by Bryan Hodge

    Eight Woes ( Matthew 23 ) by Bryan Hodge

    March 16, 2014 Eight Woes ( Matthew 23 ) By Bryan Hodge It had been a day of questions. First, the Pharisees questioned Jesus about paying taxes to Caesar (Matthew 22:15-22). Their question was not sincere, but it was designed to "entangle him in his talk" (Matthew 22:15). Then, the Sadducees questioned him about the resurrection (Matthew 22:23-33). Finally, the Pharisees questioned Jesus about which commandment was greatest (Matthew 22:34-40). He answered each question perfectly. They "marveled" (Matthew 22:22), "were astonished at his teaching" (Matthew 22:33), and one scribe even exclaimed "well said teacher. You have spoken the truth" (Mark 12:32). Following these attempts to find fault with him, Jesus begins a stern rebuke of these hypocrites. Let us notice... 1. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in" (Matthew 23:13). It is very bad to reject Christ and his kingdom. Jesus warned, "He who rejects my words, has that which judges him - the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day" (John 12:48). However, these men did not just reject the message themselves. They went beyond this. They kept others from receiving the message. They did this by their: influence (John 7:46-48), words (Mark 3:22), and intimidation (John 7:13, 48; 9:22; 12:42-43). Later bribery (Matthew 28:11-15) and force (1 Thessalonians 2:14-16) would be used.