The Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit

Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

Matthew 12:32

The Parable of the Sower, Part 2

The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.

The Parable of the Sower

Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path.

A Bit of Nostalgia for the Gospel

… to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.

The Compassion of Christ

When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

Parable of the Sower, Part 3

The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.

Matthew 13:22

The God Who Is Able

As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

For or Against

Anyone who is not with Me is against Me, and anyone who does not gather with Me scatters.

Matthew 12:30

Christ leaves us no neutral ground, no place to stand where we are on the sidelines of spiritual warfare. We are always engaged in some way or…

The Parable of the Sower, Part 4

But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.

Matthew 13:23

Washed Whiter than Snow

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Psalm 51:7

David struggled with what we all struggle with — the conviction of our sin. Yet he found victory through the assurance of the sacrifice…

Christ’s Leadership and Moral Behavior

For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.

Matthew 12:8

It is the tendency of legalism to see the entire matter, and every independent issue, of morality wrongly. The Pharisees often interpreted the scripture…