While attending a meal with religious leaders in Luke 14:1-24, Jesus broke with social norms and caused multiple disruptions. His goal was not to offend but to instruct, first about the use of the Sabbath day and then about the kingdom of God, which he compared to a great banquet. At the end of the parable, the invitation is still going out, so let’s enter while there is room.
During three weeks, we will look at Matthew 6:1-18, moving from the outside toward the Lord’s Prayer in the middle. First we considered Jesus’...
Our little work of accepting each other in the church is part of the big work God is doing in the world.
Since James is the likely the oldest writing of the New Testament, it appears from James 4:1-17 that church conflicts have been around almost...