Jesus teaches against hypocrisy, emphasizing transparency and the fear of God rather than man, and underscores the eternal significance of acknowledging Him. He illustrates the folly of worldly riches through the Parable of the Rich Fool, urges reliance on God instead of material anxiety, and calls for readiness for His return, blending teachings on practical and eternal preparedness with warnings of judgment for the unfaithful.
Jesus sends seventy-two disciples to prepare towns for His arrival, empowering them to heal and preach about the kingdom of God. The chapter concludes with the Parable of the Good Samaritan, emphasizing mercy towards all, and Jesus's visit to Martha and Mary, highlighting the importance of spiritual focus.
In John 7-9, amid increasing tension and disbelief from his own family, Jesus chooses to attend the Festival of Shelters in secret, where he openly teaches and challenges the misconceptions of his identity among the crowds. Despite the escalating threats, Jesus boldly asserts his divine origin and mission, promising the Holy Spirit to those who believe in him, and sparking further division and debate among the people and religious leaders.
Jesus is transfigured on a high mountain, revealing his divine nature to Peter, James, and John, with Moses and Elijah appearing beside him. This heavenly endorsement underlines Jesus' teaching, emphasizing the necessity of faith and predicting his suffering, urging his disciples to embrace self-denial and follow him closely.
Jesus warns against the spiritual corruption of the Pharisees and Sadducees, likening their influence to leaven, and highlights the need for discernment among his followers. Peter acknowledges Jesus as the Messiah, prompting Jesus to foretell his death and resurrection and to call his disciples to embrace self-denial and take up their cross.
Jesus challenges the Pharisees' adherence to tradition over divine commandments, emphasizing that true defilement is a matter of the heart, not external rituals. Demonstrating compassion and divine authority, he heals a Canaanite woman's daughter and miraculously feeds thousands, highlighting his teachings on faith and purity.
Jesus comissions the twelve apostles, sending them to heal and preach, emphasizing reliance on God over material provision. They face both acceptance and persecution, highlighting the cost of discipleship and the deep divisions the gospel brings among people.
Jesus teaches about the costs of discipleship and performs miracles to demonstrate His authority over nature and the supernatural. He highlights the challenges of following Him, exemplifies His power over storms and demons, and performs compassionate acts of healing, emphasizing faith and obedience.
Jesus teaches the Parable of the Sower by the sea to a large crowd, explaining the different responses people have to God's word, ranging from immediate rejection to fruitful acceptance. He uses parables to reveal the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven to those ready to hear, while also fulfilling prophecy by keeping these truths hidden from others.
Jesus heals a demon-possessed man, eliciting amazement from the crowd and accusations from the Pharisees that he operates under demonic influence. He refutes them with a parable about division, emphasizing that true kinship extends to those who follow God’s will, and warns against the eternal consequences of blaspheming the Holy Spirit.
In Capernaum, a centurion's profound faith in Jesus' authority impresses Jesus, leading to the miraculous healing of the centurion's servant from a distance. Meanwhile, Jesus commends John the Baptist's role as a prophetic forerunner, critiques the unresponsive generation, and emphasizes the importance of faith and forgiveness through his teachings and interactions, including raising a widow's son and forgiving a sinful woman, demonstrating His compassion and authority.
At our church, we’re passionate about sparking a disciple-making movement in Middle Tennessee and beyond. This year, we’ve had the joy of partnering with families to include their children in this mission. We firmly believe that the gospel is central to our lives, and that “Gospel First and Always” has no age limit (1 Timothy 4:12).
