Familiarity Breeds Contempt

Familiarity breeds contempt--To become so accustomed to familiar things or people that you no longer value them. Doesn't exactly sound like how you would describe your Savior does it? Yet that is EXACTLY what is happening in this weeks lesson. Read Matthew 13: 54-58 for yourself. Does it surprise you what the people involved are saying?

Who is Jesus

Wonderful class discussions today. For those of you who may not have been in class today we discussed how Jesus identity was established through his miraculous healings. (Isaiah 35:4-5: Matthew 11:4-5) and also John the Baptist's bout with doubt. I was unable due to time to ask all the question I had wanted so I thought I would use this oppurtunity to hear some of your answers to the following questions.

Why did Jesus power to heal establish his identity?

Do we need or should we expect miracles in the 21 century to reaffirm Jesus' identity as the son of God? Why or why not?

While genuine demon possession seems rare in the Western world, spiritual battles are a part of our lives. What are some of the great spiritual battles we still face?


And lastly, comparing physical blindness with spiritual blindness, what does Jesus' power over one imlpy about his power over the other?

Amazing Faith

There are many accounts that happen in Christ life between last weeks lesson and this weeks lesson, one I want to point out is from Matthew 8:5-13. Please take the time to read this and meditate on it. Its the story of the Centurion who has a paralyzed servant. Several things stand out to me in this encounter. First, this man is a gentile and secondly the person he is so concerned for is not even his family but a servant. What does this say about this man's character?

This man approaches Jesus to ask for healing and Christ says "I will go and heal him." Look at this man's response, this is a man who KNOWS authority when he sees it! He states "Just SAY the word and my servant will be healed." But even as bold in faith as that was, Jesus next action is what my prayer for my life is. The Bible says that when Jesus heard this he was ASTONISHED!! astonish--"to fill with sudden wonder" Oh to be the kind of person whose faith is so great that I could literally fill Jesus with sudden wonder!

This was a very important man who could have been full of selfishness, pride , and arrogance, but instead chose to be humble and trusting.

As I once read in a study done several years ago, "the closer Christ's presence comes to us, the more humble a discerning person becomes."

What about you, do you desire to have the kind of faith that ASTONISHES Christ?

Demonstrated In Acts Of Healing

This weeks lesson find us with Jesus as he does several very high profile acts of healing and then deals with John the Baptist who has a very serious bout with doubt. Our scripture reference is Matthew 9:27-34 and 11:2-6. One thing that is important to note is the gospel of Matthew is not necessarily written chronologically and it is noted that Jesus dealing with John the Baptist happened first.



What is very interesting to observe is how the people involved deal with Christ. Some have genuine faith. Others fear his influence, while others just can't get past the fact that Jesus doesn't fit the mold they had in their mind of what the Messiah was suppose to look and act like.



AHH now we get to the heart of the matter. Do you perhaps already have your mind made up how Christ is suppose to act? Do you allow the Holy Spirit to guide you or do you have an already preconcieved idea of this guidence? How can we KNOW if what we are doing is Spirit lead, or maybe it doesn't make sense or fit the mold so we don't walk by faith. I read in a book one time that "the best policy is to check with your spirit and see if you have peace rather that checking with your mind to see if what God is asking is reasonable."

Do you walk by faith or are you still trying to figure Jesus out?

Class Recap

Sunday's class was full of drama...literally! I had no idea our class was so talented in the ways of the theatrical. Good job to everyone and the "Kelley" went to.....Team 2 for Best Drama. More importantly however, we took a good solid look at how temptation can enter our everyday lives. Just a quick recap on the days lesson.
Matthew 4:1-11

Why would God allow us to be tempted? Some possible answers we discussed were
1. To cause us to doubt? Right after Christ began his earthly ministry he found himself in a desert place. How many times have we as christians just KNEW God called to one thing or another only to find ourselves questioning if we understood God. Faithlessness causes doubt.

2. Possibly trying to put God to the test. Trying to PROVE God exist. Saying things like "If you are real God then these things would not happen." That becomes living on emotion or sight and not by faith.

We all in our lifetime will experience times of doubt or temptation. It should come as great comfort to read Hebrew 4:15 "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way just as we are--yet was without sin."
What a comfort to know that HE understands what we are going through.


There are three conclusions we can draw from.

1. Seasons of intense temptation are not an indication of God's displeasure.

2. Satan is tenacious. Don't expect him to give up after two or three attempts.

3. Scripture is the most powerful tool in our fight against temptation. Ps. 27:4-7

And remember when you yield to temptation you become the slave to THAT master.