For three Sabbaths, Paul interprets the scriptures, demonstrating that the Messiah must suffer and rise from the dead, and that Jesus is the fulfillment of those prophecies. Some Jews and Gentiles believe Paul's message, but others become jealous and incited a riot, attacking the converts and searching for Paul and Silas to put them in jail. The Christian message will divide light from darkness.
This passage highlights the conflict between the growing movement to include Gentiles in the church and the traditional Jewish beliefs. Peter emphasizes that God is the one who initiates the work of salvation and that He has granted repentance, the Holy Spirit and eternal salvation to all who believe.
Part of the Sermon on the Mount is presented in this section of Matthew. It teaches that believers should be like a city on a hill, a lamp on a stand, visible and shining brightly. The message emphasizes that Christians are not meant to be hidden, but to be visible, allowing their good deeds to shine, so others will see God's glory. Even in times of deep tragedy, Christians should look to God to live in a way that reflects His love and saving grace.
On Easter Sunday, or Resurrection Sunday, Christians around the world join together to celebrate the most significant day in history – the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The resurrection of Jesus is one of the foundations of our faith, and it’s essential for us to understand why it matters so deeply. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus conquered sin and death thereby providing believers with salvation.
Good Friday, the Friday before Easter, is the Christian day to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and His death at Calvary. For Christians, Good Friday is important because it celebrates what we believe to be the most momentous weekend in the history of the world. Ever since Jesus died and was raised, Christians have proclaimed the cross and resurrection of Jesus to be the decisive turning point for all creation. On Good Friday, we remember the day Jesus willingly suffered and died by crucifixion as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of all humanity
Palm Sunday is an important celebration marking Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. It is a time to rejoice in His arrival and to remember the events that will unfold during Holy Week. It's a reminder of both the joy of His entry and the suffering He would face. Palm Sunday is the stillness before the storm.
In Luke 19 Jesus encounters Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector who is rich and unliked, who climbs a sycamore tree to see Him. Jesus calls him down by name, invites Himself to Zacchaeus's house, and declares that Zacchaeus's salvation has come, emphasizing that the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost. The story of Zacchaeus and Jesus is a powerful illustration of God's grace and his willingness to reach out to even the most unlikely individuals, demonstrating that salvation is available to all who seek it.
In Luke 15, Jesus responds to criticisms about his association with tax collectors and sinners by telling the parable of the lost sheep. Jesus illustrates God's joy and eagerness to seek and save those who are lost, emphasizing that there is more rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine righteous people.
Rest and growth are discussed on our 40 day Lenten journey to the cross. Our prayer is that everyone will repent from sin and find truth, rest and growth in Christ's salvation.
The Beatitudes are a set of teachings delivered by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount which outlines blessings and qualities valued in the Kingdom of Heaven. Christ describes blessings in the here and now, and not in the future. Think of them as not rewards, but a "gift" that God gives believers.