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.
The conclusion to the first half of Ephesians is a prayer for believers to have strength to know Christ’s love.
There are two basic principles that enable Christians with differing convictions on debatable matters to live together in harmony in the church.
Just like us, the people of Jesus' day spent much of their time laboring for things that perish. Just like us, they often found...