Welcome to Youngsville Free Methodist Church

I wonder why Jesus told the disciples not to take any spare clothes, money or even a walking stick?  I suppose it was because the absence of those things made them more likely to stop in towns and look for assistance.   For most of us, asking for help is hard to do. 

In this passage you could almost feel sorry for poor Herod Antipas, who was tricked into beheading someone he respected.   Don’t bother.  The whole family is a real piece of work.   Here’s what I understand about them.

Have you ever had one of those days when you just wanted to be left alone?   Wouldn’t it be nice once in a while to completely “unplug” from all your daily demands and your routine and just spend a little quiet time by yourself?

It would be easy to feel like God loves the Jews more than the rest of us, since He tells His disciples to go only to the Jews.  “God’s chosen people”.   Aren’t the rest of us chosen as well?

Once again we read of the man from whom Jesus cast out many demons.  Remember, Jesus was on the southeastern shore of the sea of Galilee.  In His day there were gentiles living there, not Jews.   If they had been Jews, there certainly wouldn’t have been any pigs!  

 “Why would Jesus deliberately talk to people in a way that He knew they wouldn’t understand?”    Isn’t the point of His ministry to win people into the kingdom of God?   How does talking in parables help with that?  

I confess to deriving some pleasure from watching my co-pastor squirm when we encounter people or passages of scripture that encourage us toward a subordinate role for women in the church.   It’s probably part of my carnal nature….

This passage begins with Jesus speaking about how we should grow, and concludes with images of what happens when we are fully grown.   In other words, it speaks of planting and of harvesting.  

People are divided on the subject of knowing how to pray.   Some recommend using a pattern (such as ACTS: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) and others say to pray whatever comes into your mind.   I suppose that a balance of both ways is the best idea. 

I was talking with a fellow pastor a few weeks ago and he referenced this passage.  We were talking about how God has been doing incredible things in our churches, and in our lives, and yet he found himself wondering if his faith was truly genuine.   Can you imagine?