When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.Matthew 7:28-29 In 2018, my bride Sara and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary with a trip to what has become one of our favorite places in the world - Italy. For this trip, that I secretly arranged for us and … [Read more...] about The Authority of the Kingdom
Matthew
The Foundation of the Kingdom
Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who … [Read more...] about The Foundation of the Kingdom
The Fruit of the Kingdom
Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that … [Read more...] about The Fruit of the Kingdom
The Gate of the Kingdom
Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.Matthew 7:13-14 It's no secret that one of my favorite places in the world is Tuscany, Italy. There is one town that is of particular … [Read more...] about The Gate of the Kingdom
The Rule of the Kingdom
In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.Matthew 7:12 The Golden Rule. I've personally never liked the term because for it to be the Golden Rule is would have to be the greatest of the commandments. And Jesus and the Law itself have boldly explained that the greatest commandment is to "Love the … [Read more...] about The Rule of the Kingdom