Join us, precious little ones for our 4-week T.Y.K.E.S. series this March.
Tagline
Teach Preschoolers To Pray.
Idea
Idea: When we pray, we are talking to God, just like we talk to mommy and daddy. We can thank God for things he’s given us, ask him for help, and talk to him when we’re Scared.
Memory Verse
“Never stop praying.”1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIrV)
4-Week Series
Thank God
Little Ones will learn that they can thank God for all the great things he has done for them. Luke 17:11-19, Jesus Heals Ten Men.
Ask for Help
Little Ones will learn that they can ask God for help in every situation. Daniel 6:10-23, Daniel In The Den Of Lions.
Talk to God When You’re Scared
Little Ones will learn that they can talk to God whenever they are afraid – he loves us and will help us not be afraid anymore. Jonah 1:17-2:2, Jonah Prays From Inside A Fish.
Pray for Others
Little Ones will learn that they don’t just pray for themselves but for other people too. Acts 12:1-17, Church Prays For Peter In Prison.
When God makes Himself known in our lives, we are changed.
For some that change is done in pride and obstinance, resulting in a tenacity of rebellion.
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Let My people go, that they may serve Me.”’”
Exodus 8:1 (ESV)
For others, it is a transformation of our very core identity, life of sacrifice, and cross-bearing unto everlasting life.
We see in our Scriptures from Exodus 3 how God changes us through
His presence,
His Plan,
His Purpose, and
His Messiah!
And how we, as ones now changed in Jesus, are:
humble in stature,
bold in action,
steadfast in adversity,
confident in uncertainty.
God has changed you through Jesus! He has broken into your life and moved you from the deepest depths of your sins to the highest pinnacle of perfection! But as His redeemed ones, He also calls us to service outside of our plans, ourselves; outside out comfort zones; outside of ourselves.
And that will changes us too.
That will changes others through us.
Because God uses His people to change people; to free people; to work His Plan in Jesus!
“Thank You, Lord, for changing us forever through Jesus’ suffering, death, resurrection, and ascension. Give us boldness when You call us to a life of change with Your presence, Your plan, and Your provision, because of Your Messiah. Give us humility, boldness, steadfastness, and confidence to live in You and Your change for us every day. In Jesus’ precious name do we pray; Amen.”
There are a lot of significant Sundays we observe on the church calendar that we don’t give fair due.
Transfiguration is one of them.
He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.”
Matthew 17:5 (ESV)
For many it’s a interesting story of Jesus going up a mountain with his besties, appearing brilliantly with Moses and Elijah, and His Father giving Jesus His imprimatur. Peter says some “Peter things,” and they come down.
Of course, all that is true.
But it seems there is so much more going on!
First, of course, is that Moses and Elijah represent the Law and the Prophets – which Jesus came to fulfill. They were on the holy “Mountain of God” in their respective times.
The mountain where Jesus was transfigured – considered by some to be Mount Tabor – has much to consider that it was instead Mount Hermon at the northern end of Israel.
Why is that important?
Mount Hermon was in the Bashan area. It was where some considered evil spiritual forces descended to commit some of their rebellion. There was a place there that was called “the Gates of Hades” and is the area where a little prior to today’s reading Peter gave his confession of Jesus and Jesus said “the gates of Hell” would not prevail against the Church.
If this, and not the Mountain of God,” is where this Transfiguration took place, there seems to be a message being telegraphed of cosmic spiritual significance happening.
Jesus is taking the battle to the Enemy! He is letting it be known that He is here to fulfill all that the OT said and conquer all who oppose. This mountain of the Enemy will no longer be a stronghold. Jesus, the beloved son of God, has come and, as a result, we will all be transfigured into His holy ones through faith!
Right before our text Jesus tells his followers they must “take up their cross and follow Him.” There is no doubt this means pain, sacrifice, humiliation, and suffering are a part of a Christian’s life (just as He also tells them of His impending death), but that is sandwiched between Jesus’ “the Gates of Hell will not prevail” and Jesus taking to the top of an Enemy’s mountain to say, in essence, “I’m coming for you!”
No matter what is going on in your life, look to the Transfigured Jesus as evidence that whatever you are facing, Jesus has covered it; has conquered it; has redeemed it! The Enemy is defeated and his time is limited! Rejoice as we look forward to the reality of a life transfigured in Jesus forever!
Bring it, Lord!
“Thank You, Lord Jesus, for conquering the Enemy for us and our salvation. Help us to be bold in our living for You and others, carrying our cross with perseverance of confidence until we are transfigured into our new glorified bodies at Your return. In Your powerful, victorious, resurrected Name do we pray. Amen!”
Jesus was surrounded by both men and women during his ministry on earth. He saw, valued, and cared for women, and He still does today!
Through these three sessions, we will discover who Jesus is through the unique perspective of women in the Bible. We will learn from their faith and failures, how he equipped them, listened to them, walked with them, healed them, and empowered them. And how he does the same for you now!
Please join us! (You do not have to have participated in the CBS Matthew Study as this is just a bonus series in between sessions of Matthew.)
Video and Study provided by: IF:Equip and Rightnow Media.
Today’s reading seems simple on a cursory reading.
It is not.
Let’s start with the concept of purpose. Salt’s purpose is to be salty. Light to give light. God’s commands to bring our will in line with His. Jesus: to accomplish reconciliation with us and God; saving us through faith in His; bestowing His mercy and grace because of His love for us; fulfilling of all the Law and Prophets. Us: to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and to do His will.
“For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.”
Matthew 5:18 (ESV)
You may quibble about the wording and include other aspects. That’s fine. But the point is there is point to the OT Law & Prophets; a point to Jesus; a point to why we, as His children, are here.
Some believe that the portion of our purpose of ‘doing the Law’ is the point. It is not. The point of that Jesus fulfilled all that was necessary on our behalf. It truly and fully is all accomplished!
All!
Now Jesus, who has done that and bridged the gap between God and us, gives us a new command; a new Law; a new purpose, which is to go well beyond righteousness displayed by the scribes and Pharisees: a Law of love our of response to His fulfillment!
Right after our reading today, Matthew goes into the “Sermon on the Mount” where Jesus tells us “you have heard it said” in the OT Law…but I tell you…” In other words, what they had heard about the Law, Jesus fulfilled and gives it back to us reclaimed with an emphasis on the spirit of the Law, given in love, rather than the Pharisaically-watered-down letter of the law minimized and ignored of old. Jesus gives us a joyful Law to live in response rather than a broken one done out of fear. He reminds us that He has already accomplished all for us, so that we can respond as the best salt, and light, and CHRIST-ians He has give us purpose to be!
Through Jesus, all is accomplished! Now live joyfully, in the glorious purpose He has given you to live and love!
“Lord Jesus, thank You for accomplishing all and fulfilling all the Law and Prophets of old on our behalf. Grant us Your Spirit to joyfully respond with Your Law of love; salting and shining with Your purpose so the world sees You through us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
