June 2020:
Jonathan Norton
June 1-5 | Matthew 20-24
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Rev. JT Overby
June 8-12 | Matthew 25-28 | Mark 1
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Dr. Craig Bowers
June 15-19 | Mark 2-6
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Dr. Kevin Calhoun
June 22-26 | Mark 7-11
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Jonathan Norton
June 29-30 | Mark 12-13
June 1, 2020
by Jonathan Norton
Read Matthew 20
Two words describe the Parable of the Vineyard Workers in verses 1-16: Humility and Generosity. Genuine humility is where nobody cares about who gets the credit and everybody wants God to get the glory. Whether you are a part of a church, a team, or a business, everyone has separate, yet important roles to fulfill. The important thing is the way you go about
performing your role. Having a humble spirit is vital when serving the Lord or representing the Lord on a job. Charles Swindoll says “Humility is the most fragile flower that grows. As soon as you put it on display, it wilts”.
This parable also reveals the important truth of generosity (or grace). The owner was generous to those whom he overpaid, but he did not slight those who worked the full day for the agreed upon amount. It was the owner’s privilege to extend grace to all who worked for him. Just like the thief on the cross will enjoy the full blessings of heaven alongside those who have served Christ their entire lives. That is the incredible grace of God. The Lord can and does provide His gifts and grace as He wills. Grace cannot be earned or deserved, so God is free to bestow His grace however He chooses. Praise God for any grace we receive!
The lesson for us as Christ followers, is we should not serve Him because we want to receive an expected reward, and we should not insist on knowing what we will get upfront. God is infinitely generous and gracious and will always give us better than we deserve. The same is true for any job or role we serve in at work or in the community. The important thing is we perform all duties with a humble and generous attitude.
June 2, 2020
by Jonathan Norton
Read Matthew 21
Let’s focus on verses 12-22 of Chapter 21 today, where we see Jesus perform two acts of judgement: He cleanses the temple and curses the fig tree. These acts of judgement were to reveal the hypocrisy of Israel. Jesus was teaching the seriousness of inward corruption and outward fruitlessness, unfortunately two things that can apply to some churches today.
Remember Jesus had opened His ministry with a similar cleansing of the temple in John, Chapter 2. Now 3 years later the temple of God is being polluted by the “religious business leaders”. Matthew quotes Isaiah 56:7 “for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples”. This passage reminds us that God wants three important things in His House:
1. Prayer (v. 13) 2. People (v.14) and 3. Praise (v. 15). Sincere prayer is evidence of our surrender to God and our faith in His Word. When people come to the house of God, they should feel welcomed, wanted, and receive help if needed. People should see the power of the Holy Spirit changing lives in the church. Praise should be the constant in the house of the Lord. Like the children in the temple, we should all be crying out to our Lord and Savior in praise and worship.
In verses 17-22 we have Jesus cursing the fig tree as a teaching lesson, not an act of anger. The fig tree symbolized the nation of Israel (Jeremiah 8:13, Hosea 9:10 & 16, Luke 13:6-9). Israel flaunted religion, but they did not have true faith, and they were not living Godly lives. Jesus was not mad at the tree; He was using the tree to teach His disciples that He wants to produce fruit in the lives of His people. I think there is a cyclical pattern here: “The Church should be a House of Prayer,
People and Praise that will Help Produce Fruit in the Lives of His People, and that Fruit will Attract More People to His House”. All for His Glory and Purpose! Amen!
June 11, 2020
by JT Overby
Read Matthew 28
Matthew 27 ended with darkness. Jesus dead at the hands of the Jews and Romans. Jesus seemingly forsaken by his God that he claimed was His Father. The tomb was sealed and a guard was set.
Yet, the earth quakes at the glory of the Lord. An angel appears to Mary and Mary Magdalene. The stone is rolled away and Jesus has risen! The dawning of the day brings light where it seemed there was only darkness!
This is exactly what Jesus said would happen. He is the Son of Man who would be exalted to the throne over all things, yet first He would be trampled. Jesus was trampled, but the grave could not hold Him! His Father had not forsaken Him, but rather is pleased and delights in the loving obedience and sacrifice of the Son! It is finished, the work is done!
Jesus tells his disciples that all authority in heaven and earth has been given to Him. Jesus, the one who died and rose again for His people, now reigns over all! There is nothing outside of His dominion! Nothing catches Him by surprise! What a kind and gracious King we have.
Jesus was not a failed Christ of Israel. He is the true King over all things, the King of Kings, the one worthy of all our worship. When the disciples see Jesus, they fall at His feet and worship. What is our response to this Jesus? Do we bow to Him, submitting all we are to Him, for His glory and honor in the earth? If He is our King, let us gladly spread the good news that Jesus brings salvation and make disciples of Him!