VIsit this page soon to see what we learned in 2011
The World Spy Conference...meeting Jesus in Matthew's Gospel
Our first mission on Casterton 2 2010 was discovering that ‘a good spy inspects, thinks, listens and accepts the Kingdom of Heaven.’We started our search in Matthew's gospel, looking at ‘Who is Jesus?’ Matthew 3:13-4:11 taught us that Jesus is the King, God’s perfect Son. God's Spirit anoints Jesus showing him to be that special king. In v.25 we heard that ‘God’s Kingdom is finally coming! God's plan is to bring his perfect kingdom that is in heaven down to earth. And as Jesus came we saw 'God’s Kingdom is finally here!’ The kingdom's king had arrived.
And what a kingdom! It's one we will want to be in. We saw two unclean people: a really sick woman and a dead girl. They meet the clean Jesus and he not only makes them clean, but gives them life. Jesus is God’s perfect Son with the power to give life
In Matthew 11:25-30 we saw that like those two people we face huge problems: pain, rules, and failure, and on top of that is ‘extra rules’ humans have made up! How can we deal with that burden? Jesus says, ‘Come to me. Get rest from me’. Rest that will never end: forgiveness, a friendship with God and life as we were made for. Jesus said to receive this rest was to ‘Learn from me’ (remember the yoke!? Jesus is our leader to follow!).
So God's Kingdom of Heaven is coming! So there are just two options for us: ‘Get ready now or Get thrown out then.’
Why?! Because we’re all unclean. And we can’t do anything about it’ (Matthew 15:10-20). Is there hope for us unclean people?!
In Matthew 16:13-23 we read that there are two 'essentials to enter the Kingdom of Heaven:’ ‘Recognise Jesus as the Christ by accepting Jesus’ death for us.’
And in Matthew 16:24-28 we saw it’s either ‘Jesus’ way or my way.’ 'Following Jesus costs everything’ but ‘following Jesus is worth everything.’ We need to stop following after everyone or everything and follow Jesus – God’s King.
Are we willing to give up everything in this life? Jesus promises that if we do, we will receive everything in the future and for eternity! The last will be first because in eternity the last will receive wealth and security. Therefore live this life for the sake of Jesus!
But what about us being unclean!? Unclean is the same as saying we’re God’s ‘enemy’, and not his ‘friend’. So how do we become His friend? Well, ‘Why did Jesus die?’ ‘Jesus died to take our punishment [for being an enemy] so that we can be friends with God.’
We left Matthew 27:45-56 seeing that we need to make a decision: what do we make of Jesus’ death? Will we trust Jesus’ death can make us God’s friend? Matthew 28:1-15 confirmed to us that we can trust His death! Because ‘Jesus really…Rose (proved by the empty tomb & Him appearing to disciples)…Rules (He has been crowned in Heaven)…and Rescues (He’s alive so he will appear again to rescue His friends).’
In Matthew 16:13-23 we read that there are two 'essentials to enter the Kingdom of Heaven:’ ‘Recognise Jesus as the Christ by accepting Jesus’ death for us.’
And in Matthew 16:24-28 we saw it’s either ‘Jesus’ way or my way.’ 'Following Jesus costs everything’ but ‘following Jesus is worth everything.’ We need to stop following after everyone or everything and follow Jesus – God’s King.
Are we willing to give up everything in this life? Jesus promises that if we do, we will receive everything in the future and for eternity! The last will be first because in eternity the last will receive wealth and security. Therefore live this life for the sake of Jesus!
But what about us being unclean!? Unclean is the same as saying we’re God’s ‘enemy’, and not his ‘friend’. So how do we become His friend? Well, ‘Why did Jesus die?’ ‘Jesus died to take our punishment [for being an enemy] so that we can be friends with God.’
We left Matthew 27:45-56 seeing that we need to make a decision: what do we make of Jesus’ death? Will we trust Jesus’ death can make us God’s friend? Matthew 28:1-15 confirmed to us that we can trust His death! Because ‘Jesus really…Rose (proved by the empty tomb & Him appearing to disciples)…Rules (He has been crowned in Heaven)…and Rescues (He’s alive so he will appear again to rescue His friends).’
