Do You Reject God's Invitation? (Matthew 22:1-14)

“The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son." (Mt 22:2). This is the 3rd of 3 polemic parables confronting the rigid legalistic political ecclesiastical establishment.

1. The Parable of the Two Sons (Mt 21:28-32).
2. The Parable of the Tenants (Mt 21:33-46).
3. The Parable of the Wedding Banquet (Mt 22:1-14). This 3rd parable is about:
   1. God's invitation (Mt 22:1-4, 8-10).
   2. Excuses we make (Mt 22:5-7).
   3. Preparation for God's kingdom (Mt 22:11-14).

Do Prostitutes Go to Heaven? (Matthew 21:28-32). Outline.

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of heaven ahead of you” (Matthew 21:31b).

1. The setting: To whom is Jesus speaking (Mt 21:23)? Why did they question his authority (Mt 21:9-10, 12-13, 15)? What prompted Jesus to tell them this parable [and the next 2] (Mt 21:24-27, 32, 38-39; 22:4, 5-6)? [These 3 parables are polemic parables.]
2. Who does the father and the 2 sons represent (Mt 21:28a, 31, 32; Lk 15:1-2)?
• What does this parable teach about the difference between words/promises, and actual obedience?

Can Smart People Be Stupid? Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Bonhoeffer's profound theory of stupidity argues that smart people can indeed be stupid because stupidity is a moral defect and a sociological problem, rather than a lack of intelligence; it is a voluntary psychological surrender of independent thought.

(Why Intelligent People Become Stupid? | Bonhoeffer’s Theory.) (The Terrifying Theory of Stupidity – Bonhoeffer.)

Is Forgiveness Nonnegotiable? (Matthew 18:21-35)

Can You Always Forgive From Your Heart? Peter...asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to 7 times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not 7 times, but 77 times" (Mt 18:21-22).

What if You Don't Forgive? “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart” (Mt 18:35).

• Can you always forgive from your heart (Mt 18:21-22)?
• What if you don't forgive (Mt 18:34-35)?

How "Happy" are You? (Matthew 5:3) [Makarios]; Outline of Matthew

"Happy are those who are poor in spirit, for it is to them that the kingdom of heaven belongs" (R. T. France).

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Mt 5:3, NIV).

"God blesses the beggars in spirit because theirs is Heavens' Empire" (Scot McKnight).

Looking at his disciples, he said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God" (Lk 6:20).

1. Is The Sermon on the Mount [SotM] addressed to the crowds or to the disciples (Mt 5:1-2; 7:28-29)? 
2. What does the word "blessed" [Greek makarios] mean (Mt 5:3a; 11:6; 13:16; 16:17; 24:46)?

What does it mean that Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath? (Matthew 12:8; Mark 2:28; Luke 6:5)

"For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath" (Mt 12:8). "So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath" (Mk 2:28). Then Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath" (Lk 6:5).

• What does the Sabbath mean to you practically?
• How did the Pharisees and religious leaders completely misunderstand the Sabbath?
• Why did they want to control how others kept the Sabbath (Mk 10:42)?
• Do you place expectations on how others should live?

Are You Willing to Die to Follow Jesus? (Matthew 16:21-27)

Is Jesus inviting you to die? Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me" (Mt 16:24).

"If anyone sets his will on coming after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross..." (Leon Morris).

If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself…” (CEV).

• "The center of salvation is the Cross of Jesus, and the reason it is so easy to obtain salvation is because it cost God so much"? Oswald Chambers.
• The cross is the climax of Jesus' work as the Messiah, the true King of the world.

How Do You Know that You Know Jesus? (Matthew 16:13-20)

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” (Mt 16:15)

• If Jesus asked you directly “Who do you say I am?” how would you answer in your own words—not with a memorized statement or verse or gospel trophe, but from your current experience and relationship with Him?

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven" (Mt 16:17).

• How Do You Know that You Know Jesus? Has your understanding of Jesus been shaped more by culture, family, tradition, or popular opinion than by personal revelation from God?

Do You Feel Entitled or Unworthy? (Matthew 15:21-28)

"He replied, 'It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to the dogs'" (Mt 15:26).

• Can you be humble and humorous when humiliated?
• Do You Feel Entitled to Wonder Bread or Leftover Crumbs?

1.   Why is the location of this encounter significant (Mt 15:21)?

2.   What does she reveal about her understanding of Jesus (Mt 15:22)? Like her, what burdens do you carry for others?

Walk on Water (Matthew 14:22-33)

“But Jesus immediately said to them: 'Take courage! It is I. [ego eimi {Gk}] Don’t be afraid.'” “'Come,' he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus” (Mt 14:27, 29). [Walk on Water.]

• Peter becomes frightened and begins to sink, not the other way around.

Compassion and Responsibility (Matthew 14:13-21)

"When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick" (Mt 14:14). "You give them something to eat" (Mt 14:16).

• How can I know the depth of God's compassion and of my responsibility?

1.   What preceded this miracle (Mt 14:13, 8-12)?

• How might Jesus have felt (Isa 53:3)?
• What does his response (Mt 14:14) show about him (Mt 9:36; 15:32)?
• Have you experienced Jesus’ love and compassion (Jer 31:3)?
• Do you serve others when you’re hurting?

The Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 13:24-43)

"The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field" (Mt 13:24).

1. How did Jesus explain The Parable of the Weeds (Mt 13:24-25, 30, 36-39, 40-43)?
2. How is the kingdom of heaven like a man who sows good seed (Mt 13:24, 3, 19, 37; 4:17)?
• Are you like the "the man who sowed good seed" (Mt 13:24, 37)? How (Lk 9:60; 1 Cor 1:22-23; 2:2, 2)?
  
3. Do you "write off" some people as a "weed" (Mt 13:28)?
   
• Do you judge and decide who is "in" and who is "out" (1 Sam 16:7; Jn 7:24)?

A Christian is Unconquerable (Romans 8:26-39)

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us" (Rom 8:37).

"A Christian is an impregnable person. He is a person that never can be conquered." Richard Sibbes. The Bruised Reed. 17th Century. [See Notes below.]

** Memorize Romans 8:28, 8:31-32, 8:37-39.

      A Christian Cannot be Conquered because the center, core and crux of Christianity is that Christ was Crucified for the Church and the Cosmos.

Lofty Love is to Love God and Others (Matthew 22:36-40)

Full quote below.

"Teacher, which is the greatest cpmmandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Mt 22:36-40).

Jesus' core teaching is that love for God and love for neighbor are the inseparable foundation of all Scripture (Mt 22:37-40).

Paradox (Matthew 10:37-42)

Full quote below.

"Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it" (Mt 10:39).

1. Priority / Allegiance / Exclusivity /Preeminence. Why does Jesus' command you to love Him more than your family (Mt 10:37; 22:37-38; Dt 6:5; Lk 14:26)?
   
• Does this contradict the command to "Honor your father and mother" (Exo 20:12)? Why or why not?

God is Light (1 John 1:1-2:11)

“God is light” (1 Jn 1:5). “...walk in the light...” (1 Jn 1:7). “Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did” (1 Jn 2:6).

1. Why emphasize Jesus being “heard,” “seen,” “looked at,” and “touched” (1 Jn 1:1; Jn 1:14; Lk 24:39)?
• Is this your experience of Christ?
2. What is eternal life (1 Jn 1:2; Jn 17:3; 1 Tim 3:16, 1 Cor 1:9)?
• Why does sharing this message bring joy (1 Jn 1:3-4; Phil 2:2; 2 Jn 12)?
• Do you have joy from sharing Christ?
3. What does it mean that “God is light” (1 Jn 1:5; Ps 27:1; Jn 8:12; 1 Tim 6:16)?
• What does "light" do (Jn 3:19–21)?

Live Free Without Fear (Matthew 10:26-33)

Live Free, Leave Fear. 12th Sun in Ordinary Time.

"So do not be afraid of them..." (Mt 10:26). "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body..." (Mt 10:28). "So don't be afraid..." (Mt 10:31).

• What do you (people) fear?
• Being lonely? Disliked? Unpopular? Critized?
• Not loved? Honored? Acknowledged? Recognized? Given credit?
• Being insignificant? Ignored? Betrayed? Taken for granted?

What is a Christian?

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. Therefore, the life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Gal 2:20).

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation: the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Cor 5:17).

• Why has Gal 2:20 and 2 Cor 5:17 been regarded as among the best verses that describe what a Christian is?

An Extravagant Expression of Emotion (Luke 7:36-50)

"...her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little” (Lk 7:47).

"She has done a beautiful thing to me." "Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her” (Mk 14:6, 9).

1. Why did Simon the Pharisee invite Jesus to dinner, yet fail to provide basic hospitality (Lk 7:36, 44, 45, 46; 11:39, 42-43; cf. Rom 12:10)?
   
• Why did he question Jesus' prophetic credentials (Lk 7:39; Isa 64:6)?
• How does the parable of the 2 debtors:
• Expose Simon's spiritual condition (Lk 7:40-43; 18:9, 11-12; Mt 7:3-4; Jer 17:9)?

Extravagance (John 3:16-21)

Familiar as Jn 3:16 is to us, they were uttered to Nicodemus for the 1st time. They're the revelation of the nature of God, and the ground of our love to God and man.

"The very nature of God is extravagance." Oswald Chambers.

• Is God's nature extravagannt? Why (Jer 31:3; 2 Sam 12:8; Lk 15:12, 22-23, 31)?