A lesson learned from a genealogy

Posted on October 5, 2012 Written by Mark McIntyre 2 Comments

When reading Matthew 1, it is tempting to skip over the list of names in the genealogy. A lesson was learned as I recently read this chapter.

Did he really say that?

The opening verses of Matthew 3 record the preaching of John the Baptist. While reading this passage, what jumped out at me is what John said to the Pharisees and Sadducees. He called them a “brood of vipers” and he went on to critique their behavior. I’m sure that the Pharisees and Sadducees bristled at […]

It’s not about do’s and don’ts

Often, by both believers and non-believers, the Christian life is viewed as adherence to a list of do’s and don’ts. The Apostle Paul offers us a new way.

The blessing of being poor (in spirit) – Matthew 5:3

Matthew 5:3 reads: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (NASB) One must assume that Jesus knew what he was doing when he put this Beatitude first in the list. Blessed are the poor in Spirit. Luke’s record shortens this saying to simply, “blessed are you who are poor” […]

Conflict is inevitable

A few days ago, I read 1 Thessalonians 3:4 where Paul writes, “For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.” Why would Paul anticipate suffering? I believe the answer lies in his understanding that […]

Walking worthy

It is not wrong to encourage someone to “walk worthy of the Lord” as long as we understand that the “worthy” is determined by God and is gauged by the internal and not the external reality. This verse is not a club to be used to bash people into conformity to a list of do’s and don’ts. It is not to be wielded in this way to squelch behaviors that make us feel uncomfortable.

A lesson learned from a genealogy

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