The Heidelberg Catechism - The Foundations Of Our Faith

And Jesus went away from there and withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon.22 And behold, a Canaanite woman from that region came out and was crying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is severely oppressed by a demon."23 But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, "Send her away, for she is crying out after us."24 He answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me."26 And he answered, "It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs."27 She said, "Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."28 Then Jesus answered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter was healed instantly. Jesus Heals Many 29    Jesus went on from there and walked beside the S...

Servant Leadership "Servant Leadership" is a term often used by dictatorial people as a means of control in churches. Mark 10: 42 "You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." The Issue of Power.   We try to control things around us so as to keep our world liveable. But: God's way is primarily the way of trusting Him. Spears (1998) lists ten characteristics of servant-leadership. 1. Listening  - This encompasses listening receptively and attentively to what is being said, as well as listening to one's inner voice. 2. Empathy  - This is related to active listening. In addition, emp...

These two parables are meant to teach us, that   men really convinced of the importance of salvation, will give up everything to win Christ, and eternal life. What was the conduct of the two men our Lord describes? The one was persuaded that there was a "treasure hidden in the field," which would amply repay him, if he bought the field, however great the price that he might give. The other was persuaded that the "pearl" he had found was so immensely valuable, that it would compensate him to purchase it at any cost. Both were convinced that  they had found a thing of great value.  Both were satisfied that  it was worth a great present sacrifice to make this thing their own. Others might wonder at them. Others might think them foolish for paying such a sum of money for the field and pearl. But they knew what they were about. They were sure that they were making a good bargain. Behold in this single picture,  the conduct of a true Christian explained!  He is w...

Treasure Hunters Pirates of the Caribean, the Black Pearl. Under our house a gun, a treasure chest. Rocks! Green Sapphires  Glen  Innes  NSW Understanding the Gospel Results In No Reserves, No Retreats, No Regrets, No Rejects And No Rebellion Your Life Shouts A Message     Albo     Cyclist He Is Precious Matthew 13: 44 "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field." Could Jesus be the treasure hunter and the church be the treasure? Could the price paid be the atonement? Who is Seeking Who? Jesus or You? I sought the Lord, and afterward I knew He moved my soul to seek Him, seeking me. It was not I that found, O Savior true, No, I was found of Thee. Thou didst reach forth Thy hand and mine enfold, I walked and sank not on the storm-vexed sea. 'Twas not so much that ...

Matthew 13    The Great Separation Why would God allow this sowing of tares among the wheat to happen to the kingdom between Christ's first coming and His second coming? Why does God permit the "mystery of lawlessness" to work its way through the church (2 Thes. 2:7)? Like the dutiful workers in the master's field (Matt. 13:28), we're understandably anxious to jerk out every one of the evildoers, confront every devious act, and put a stop to every attempt to thwart and harass the work of God. Yet the parables seem to suggest that such a spread of wickedness and deceit among the people of God is inevitable.  When Jesus finally got out of the boat, made His way through the crowd, and returned to the house in Capernaum where He was staying, His disciples came to Him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field" (13:36). Notice that they didn't ask about the mustard seed or the leaven. They were troubled by the fact that God...