9/8-9/14 Matthew’s Gospel Reading Plan

Introduction

In the prayer Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount, he instructed his followers to pray, “Our Father in heaven…Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:9-10 NRSV). This points towards an intimacy with God by referring to him as “Father.” Jesus had a oneness with God that he invites us to experience and live as well, which includes daily time alone with God through prayer. The Lord’s Prayer also reveals the ultimate desire of the God of grace and love, that His will is done here on earth and throughout creation, just as it is done in the kingdom of heaven. Much like the sermon Jesus shared on the mountain in Matthew 5 through 7, he revealed his divine glory and oneness with God the Father on a mountain in Matthew 17, with Peter, James, and John as witnesses (Matthew 17:1-8). On the mountain the three disciples heard God the Father say, “this is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well please; listen to him” (Matthew 17:5 NRSV). We are God’s adopted children through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:5). We are people made in God’s image and likeness for his glory (Genesis 1:26). Like those three disciples on the mountain with Christ, our heavenly Father is instructing us to listen to his Son, our Lord and Savior. To listen to Jesus, we have to spend time with him. Prayer and studying scripture are essential for ongoing encounters with the living God who revealed himself in and through Jesus. In the chapters in Matthew’s Gospel, we will read this week we will receive many more of Jesus’ teachings, follow him into Jerusalem during his triumphal entry, and be reminded of the greatest of the 613 commandments found in the Torah.

9/1-9/7 Matthew’s Gospel Reading Plan

Introduction

During the past few weeks, we have slowly read and studied Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5-7 during the first half of the all-church worship and small group series. This week we will move beyond the sermon in Matthew’s Gospel to read and study chapters 8 through 16. Within these chapters we will experience Jesus bringing the kingdom of God into the lives of hurting people, hear his teachings through the use of parables, witness various miracles and responses to Christ by those who encountered him during his ministry, hear Peter’s declaration about the Messiah, as well as receive Jesus’ invitation to be his followers through self-denial, taking up our cross, and faithfully following.

8/25-8/31 Matthew’s Gospel Reading Plan

Introduction

Have you tasted bland food that needed salt? What did adding salt do for the flavor after it had been added? Did it make whatever you were eating taste better? Salt can enhance the flavor of food. It can be used as a preservative. Salt can even be used for cleaning various things. Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13 NRSV). Do you think of Christians as people who enhance the lives of others, making their lives better? Do you think of disciples of Christ as people who help preserve lives? Do you think of believers as people who help the world to become a cleaner place for everyone to live?

The light from the sun and moon mark days and seasons. Plants utilized the sun’s light for harnessing energy to create food that enables them to grow. Early in Matthew’s Gospel it is noted that a star guided the wise men to Jesus (Matthew 2:1-2). Light helps us to see at night or in the darkness. It can be used as a guide. Lights can set a visual tone or inspire a mood. In modern times lights are used within traffic signals on roadways to provide clarity about when to go, when to slow down, and when to stop. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12 NRSV). He does all of those things listed here about light. Jesus’ life has marked days and seasons in regard to human history. Jesus helps us to grow. He enables us to see life, creation, other human beings, and God more clearly. His life set a tone for all of existence. He set an example for when to go, slow down, or stop, and sent the Holy Spirit to guide us in doing those things. Jesus guides people in the way to live, to salvation and eternal life, and ultimately to our heavenly Father. Yet he also said, “you are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14 NRSV).

Do you think of yourself as a light for the world? After stating that we are the light of the world, Jesus went on to explain that when we do good deeds our actions can help point people towards God (Matthew 5:16). We become guiding lights for others that helps them to see God through Christ more clearly. We help people to respond to the Lord by glorifying and praising him for the good He does through His people. You are the light of the world, so keep shining!

8/18-8/24 Matthew’s Gospel Reading Plan

Introduction

In the Gospel According to Matthew, Jesus is portrayed as a new Moses providing clarity about the God-given laws of the Israelites that were being used to form a new people through Jesus’ disciples. Matthew includes this incredibly important statement from Jesus in the gospel account, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets,” the Old Testament commandments of the Hebrew Bible, “I have come not to abolish but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17 NRSV). In Matthew’s Gospel Jesus goes on to teach, “you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times…But I say to you” (Matthew 5:21-22 NRSV). In her book about Jesus’ sermon Dr. Amy-Jill Levine writes, “Jesus is not opposing Torah; he is extending it.” She also explains that “Jesus fulfills Torah…by getting to the core values of the commandments. By following the commandments, as Jesus interprets them, his disciples walk as if they have one foot already in the kingdom of heaven.”

8/11-8/17 Matthew’s Gospel Reading Plan

Introduction

If you compiled a greatest hits version of Jesus’ teachings, what would you include? For Matthew, the gospel writer, he includes all that is in the Sermon on the Mount. According to author and professor Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, the Sermon on the Mount provides us with a guide for understanding the kingdom of heaven. Jesus began his ministry by proclaiming that “the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 4:17). He taught his disciples to pray about God’s kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10-11 NRSV). He embodied the kingdom of heaven through his life, ministry, death and resurrection. This week this Living Faith Devotional will guide us to read Jesus’ entire sermon from Matthew 5-7, which is the basis for the Avon UMC worship and small group series during August and September.

8/4-8/10 Matthew’s Gospel Reading Plan

Introduction

As Jesus’ ministry began he proclaimed, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 4:17 NRSV). In the next chapter of Matthew’s Gospel Jesus went up on a mountain, sat with his followers, and began teaching them (Matthew 5:1-2). The sermon Christ spoke to the disciples on the mountain in Galilee shortly after his ministry began is often referred to as the Sermon on the Mount. According to author and professor Amy-Jill Levine,

the Sermon on the Mount provides us with a guide for understanding the kingdom of heaven that Jesus proclaimed. Levine also believes that the sermon contains some of Jesus’ greatest teachings. During August and September the AUMC Sunday morning worship services, as well as small group discussions, will be based upon Levine’s book and Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount.

 

This Living Faith Devotional will guide us to read Matthew’s Gospel during August and September, including slowly going through the Sermon on the Mount verses, as we seek to learn, live, and embody what Jesus taught.

7/28 – 8/3

During the months of June and July we as a congregation have been on a journey through part of the book of Acts studying the life and ministry of the apostle Paul, as well as some of the letters he wrote to churches and first-century Christians. The end of the book of Acts ends with this message, Paul “lived there” under house arrest in Rome “two whole years…and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 28:30-31 NRSV). After his imprisonment in Rome Paul may have continued traveling for another year or so before returning to Rome as a prisoner yet again. As the end of his life was daring near as he was awaiting execution while imprisoned in the capital city of the empire, Paul wrote one final letter to his protege, Timothy. To conclude the Blinding Light series, we will read most of 2 Timothy this week to receive Paul’s final message for us. In adding to those chapters and verses, we will as also read other New Testament chapter and verses as reminders to continue living our faith in Christ and sharing the good news of Jesus, and God’s Kingdom, no matter what hardships we may face for being Christians.

7/21 – 7/27

During the past six weeks we have been on a journey studying the life and ministry of the apostle Paul, as well as reading portions of a few of his New Testament letters recently. On the morning of July 21st we will take a break from the Blinding Light series to turn our focus to Moving Forward: In Christ as a congregation after the decisions made during the General Conference of the United Methodist denomination, which occurred during the spring of 2024. The Bible verses we will read and study this week as part of this Living Faith Devotional go along with the theme of Pastor Danny’s sermon.

7/14 – 7/20

 

Saul of Tarsus, better known as the apostle Paul, traveled throughout the Roman Empire during his missionary journeys proclaiming the Good News about Jesus and inviting hearers to respond to God’s grace through faith in Christ. He and his traveling companions introduced countless people to the Savior of the world by sharing the gospel message wherever they went. As part of their ministry, they also strengthened and encouraged believers, planted new churches, as well as appointed and trained leaders. Paul is credited with either writing, dictating, or significantly influencing 13 of the letters in the New Testament of the Bible. His story is shared within 17 of the 24 chapters in the book of Acts. For nearly 2,000 years the disciples of Christ and people of other faith traditions throughout the world have been influenced by the life, ministry, teachings, and Spirit-inspired letters of the persecutor of Jesus’ church who became the most influential Christian to ever live.

 

Just as Paul knew about the issues, challenges, joys, and concerns of the Jesus followers during the middle of the first century in Colossae, Corinth, Ephesus, Galatia, Philippi, Rome, Thessalonica, and elsewhere, imagine if Paul knew our struggles and opportunities in Avon and Greater Hendricks County too. What if Paul wrote a letter to us, the Christians here in Avon, Brownsburg, Danville, Plainfield, and the west side of Indianapolis? What messages would the apostle include within his letter to us?