Jesus’ mother and brothers Matthew 12:46–50 The conflicts of Jesus 40 Blogs of Lent: Day 25 46 While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him.* 48 But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are …
Category: God blogs
Opposition by legalism 7: Spring cleaning for demons
Welcome home, unclean spirit Matthew 12:43–45 The conflicts of Jesus 40 Blogs of Lent: Day 24 43 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, …
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Attending church in my pyjamas
Stay away! Holy Trinity Church, Huddersfield, Sunday 22nd March 2020 40 Blogs of Lent: Day 23 There was to be a service today. I was supposed to be playing percussion in the worship band. But following advice that the archbishops gave last Tuesday, there are to be no more public services for an unforeseeable time …
Opposition by legalism 6: An evil and adulterous generation
The signs of Jonah and the Queen of Sheba Matthew 12:38–42 The conflicts of Jesus 40 Blogs of Lent: Day 22 38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” 39 But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, …
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Opposition by legalism 5: By their Facebook status you will know them
A tree is known by its fruit Matthew 12:33–37 The conflicts of Jesus 40 Blogs of Lent: Day 21 33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak …
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Opposition through legalism 4: There is no compromise
Jesus and Satan Matthew 12:22–32 The conflicts of Jesus 40 Blogs of Lent: Day 20 22 Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. 23 And all the people were amazed, and said, “Can this be the Son of …
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Opposition through legalism 3: God’s chosen servant
God’s unlimited servant Matthew 12:15–21 The conflicts of Jesus 40 Blogs of Lent: Day 19 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him. 15 Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. And many followed him, and he healed them all 16 and ordered them not to make him known. …
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Opposition through legalism 2: The Sabbath is about rest
It's not what is the Sabbath, it's WHO is the Sabbath Matthew 12:9–14 The conflicts of Jesus 40 Blogs of Lent: Day 18 9 He went on from there and entered their synagogue. 10 And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—so …
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Are you ambitious enough, or too ambitious?
An opportunity missed? Holy Trinity Church, Huddersfield, Sunday 15th March 2020 40 Blogs of Lent: Day 17 I finished last week's blog about the church service with the quote from a worship song, ""I'm no longer a slave to fear, I am a child of God." That has been a theme running through the week. …
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Opposition through legalism 1: Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath
God loves you enough to take your sins away Matthew 12:1–8 The conflicts of Jesus 40 Blogs of Lent: Day 16 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck ears of corn and to eat. 2 But when the Pharisees saw it, they …
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Making an ass of myself 