Matthew – St Nicholas Church: Recent Episodes
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The final verse’s of Matthew’s gospel give Jesus’ great commission to the disciples and to us, to go out and spread the Good News and make more disciples. [Matthew 28: 16-20]
Matthew’s account of the resurrection of Jesus Christ points us to all the evidence we need to believe the truth of our risen Lord [Matthew 28: 1-15]
The Last Supper Jesus shared with his disciples was punctuated with some bombshells of betrayal, predictions of desertion, all over a celebration meal given a new and profound meaning, both for those first disciples and for us.
This last section of Matthew’s gospel shows the extent of Mary of Bethany’s costly devotion to Jesus, whilst also showing the opposition and betrayal of Jesus. [Matthew 26: 1-16]
The final block of Jesus’ teaching on the end of the world and the final judgment, this time with the analogy of the separation of sheep from goats – true believers from those who look like them. The difference? True faith is witnessed by active love and compassion for other disciples of Jesus.
Sometimes called the Parable of the Talents, the challenge from Jesus is to ensure that as we wait for his inevitable return, we use the gifts, talents, resources and opportunities that God has given us for the glory of Jesus. Are you?
This is the first of 3 parables on the theme of Jesus’ return and the end of the world. We know that it is coming. But are we truly ready? or will Jesus say to us ‘I don’t know you?’
The disciples asked Jesus about the end of the world – when will it be and what will be the signs of Jesus’ return? The Bible is very clear over some things that we can know for sure – that Jesus will return, as King and Judge – and everyone will see him in glory. But most things are unclear…
Jesus made it clear that the Pharisees were not practicing what they preached. He exposed their hypocrisy, and shines a light into our own lives to make us consider if we are really living with God at the centre of our lives. Jesus offers an invitation to all, but also a warning that his return…
What does God expect from us? Jesus said the first and greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind, and the second is to love your neighbour as yourself. God expects us to recognise Jesus’ divine authority and to show our love for him and others by…
The Sadducees try to trap Jesus with a question about marriage in heaven. Jesus responds by saying that they have misread the Bible and ignored God’s power. In God’s eternal kingdom our relationships will be different and we will be different, because God’s power and goodness is far beyond anything we could imagine. [Matthew 22: 23-33]
The Pharisees try to trap Jesus with a question about paying taxes to the Romans. Jesus’ response confounds them. The ruling Government should be given what they are due by law, but as the giver and sustainer of all life, God must be given what God is due to him – our total and joyful…
Matthew’s account of Jesus’ parable of the wedding banquet shows us how God has sent out the invite for everyone to join the Kingdom of Heaven, but not all respond and many refuse to come. Who are you most like in this parable? [Matthew 22: 1-14]
Matthew’s account of Jesus’ parable of the tenants shows us how God has graciously provided everything we need for us to find faith and flourish, with an extraordinary patience to both believers and unbelievers alike. Sadly, the Jewish leaders refused to accept Jesus and take advantage of God’s grace. And so, like the tenants in the parable,…
Matthew’s account of Jesus’ parable of the 2 sons challenges us to consider if we are like the repentant son, who turned away from wrongdoing and back to God, or like the unrepentant son, who, like the chief priests and religious leaders of the time, had the outward appearance of righteousness but refused to accept…
Matthew’s Gospel recounts Jesus’ righteous indignation at the Temple being defiled by the moneychangers and market traders [Matthew 21: 12-17]
The comparison between Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem and Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday is considered [Matthew 21: 1-11]
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus demonstrated gentleness, patience and kindness as he healed the sick, lame and sinful. His loving example should encourage us to treat others with the same gentleness and kindness with which he has treated us. What does Jesus’ gentleness mean for the believer? And for the unbeliever? [Matthew 11: 20-30]
Are you like Oliver Twist or Meatloaf? Would you do anything for one you love… or does your love and devotion have a limit? A rich young ruler comes to see Jesus with a question: ‘What can I do to have eternal life?’ he is moral and seemingly in earnest, but the answer Jesus gives…
The disciples tried to stop some children coming to Jesus, but Jesus welcomed them in. Then he used the incident to teach about just who the doors of the kingdom of heaven are open for. A challenge to churches and parents about how we teach our chidlren about Jesus… and an encouragement for all people…
A tough question- but Jesus gives an answer which offers both hope and a challenge. Read the Bible passage here: Matthew 19:1-13