Matthew

Rescuing Christmas from Frosty the Snowman, Manger Scenes, and Christmas Carols (Matthew 2:1–11)

Title: Rescuing Christmas from Frosty the Snowman, Manger Scenes, and Christmas Carols

Text: Matthew 2:1–11

Actually, according to Scripture, the wise men saw the star and then it disappeared. That is why they went to Jerusalem instead of Bethlehem. The shepherds and angels were at the manger, but not the wise men. There was a star over the toddler's house not the infants cradle.

A Birth Like No Other (Matthew 1:18–25)

Title: A Birth Like No Other

Text: Matthew 1:18–25

Only 69% of the American Baptists believed in the virgin birth. Mary and Joseph did not have the privilege of naming this boy. God named His Son. He chose the name Jesus. It means "God saves". The amazing thing is that Jesus is not only "God for us" but he's God with us.

Jesus, Family Trees, and Crazy Cousins (Matthew 1:1–17)

Title: Jesus, Family Trees, and Crazy Cousins

Text: Matthew 1:1–17

Every person, it seems, no matter where he or she is in life, asks a fundamental question: "Where did I come from?" Jesus Christ is the last verifiable claimant to David's throne. If he is not the Messiah, nobody else can ever lay believable claim to it. That's it.

Are We Still a Life-Saving Station?

Title: Are We Still a Life-Saving Station?

Text: Matthew 4:12–25

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On a dangerous sea coast where shipwrecks often occur, there was once a crude, little life-saving station. The building was just a hut, and there was only one boat, but the few devoted members kept a constant watch over the sea, and with no thought for themselves, went out day and night tirelessly searching for the lost. Many lives were saved by this wonderful little life-saving station. So it became famous.

A Call for Disciples, Not “Casual” Christians

Title: A Call for Disciples, Not “Casual” Christians

Text: Matthew 4:12–22

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This week, I listened to a pastor speak about his experiences in missionary work around the world. In India, he met a young woman and her husband who left Hinduism and became disciples of Christ. They faced a lot of recoil for this decision from their family and from the village where they lived. On one occasion, everyone in their village came to their hut with lizards whose heads had been cut off and told the couple to drink the blood and convert back.