In Matthew 13:1-9, Jesus told a story. It’s the parable of the sower. The Israelites were and are farmers. So when Jesus talked about sowing seed. Everyone understood about sowing seed. But they didn’t understand how it applied to them. Even the disciples didn’t understand. How many scriptures have heard? I have been saved for 40 years. I’ve been to church each sunday, at least. That 52 sundays times 40 years. That equals 2080 times I’ve heard at least 5 scriptures each time. That means about most of the new testament. How many scriptures do you obey? The word of God was sowed into your heart and will produce fruit, if you let it. So, how much has the word of God produced in your life? So, 100 fold, some 60 fold and some 30 fold. It is all up to you.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 12:46-50, Jesus was told that his mother Mary and his brothers were outside, wanting to talk to Him. What He said wasn’t a denial of His earthly family. What Jesus was saying to His disciples was how to enter into the kingdom of God. Jesus asked a question. Who are my mother and brothers? He pointed to His disciples and said, whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, is my brother and sister and mother. Yes, Jesus had brothers and sisters. His sister’s name was Diane. We know that James the Lesser was also His brother. It is believed that Matthew is also His brother. These are the children of Mary and Joseph. But this narrative also says that being a blood relative doesn’t guarantee entrance into heaven. It is by faith, believing and trusting, that a person can enter into a relationship with Jesus. Remember Jesus is the son of God.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 12:38-45, the pharisees came to Jesus and asked to show them a sign. Jesus said, you adulterous and perverse generation, no sign will be given to you except that of Jonah. He was in the belly of the whale for 3 days and nights. Jesus was pointing to His death and resurrection. Jesus used examples to teach them lessons. He said the men of Nineveh would rise up in judgment, because at the preaching of Jonah, they repented. Belief isn’t by what you see. It is by faith. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Faith is not seeing but believing. Jesus wants us to believe. He showed us the way. Now it is up to us to trust that God will bring us home. The scary part is that the Israelites had the word of God and didn’t believe. Like God said, He used the gentiles to provoke Israel to jealousy. Because the gentiles readily accepted the gospel. Don’t ever think that your life in God is so firmly fixed, that He can’t shake you loose. Faith is the only thing that God wants from us. The rest He does.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 12:31-37, the pharisees had spoken against the Holy Ghost and Jesus was going to address the issue. He said every blasphemy spoken against Him would be forgiven. But any word spoken the Holy Ghost wouldn’t, in this world and the next. He turned to the pharisees and said, you generation of vipers, how can you speak truth being evil. A good man out of the good treasure of their heart brings forth good things. For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Every idle word that man shall speak, they will give an account in the day of judgement. Jesus said, by your words you will be justified or condemned.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

As Jesus and the disciples were walking, someone brought a person possessed of the devil. He couldn’t speak or see. Jesus healed him and he began to see and speak. People began to say, isn’t this the son of David? The pharisees jealous and angry, said Jesus cast out devils by Lucifer. Jesus knowing what they said, talked about a divided kingdom. If I cast devils by lucifer, then he’s kingdom is divided and will not stand. But if I cast out devil by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you. And you have rejected it. Then Jesus said, if you are not with Me, you are against Me. Then Jesus said, if you don’t gather with Me, you will scatter the flock. Pick your choose, is an old French saying, meaning make your choice. This is what Jesus was saying. We have a choice today and every day whether to serve or not.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 12:14-21, after Jesus healed the man with the withered hand in the synagogue on the sabbath, the pharisees wanted to kill Him. Jesus knew and left the city. Many people followed after Him. The bible says He healed them all. But not wanting the pharisees to know where He was, told them not to say anything. All things that happened to Jesus were prophesied in the old testament. In Isaiah 42, the prophesy that the messiah would be humble and kind to the wounded in spirit and body. And He would bring judgement to the people through mercy. So that people would trust in the Lord. Hope and trust are an important part of our faith. The hope that things will change and the trust that God will do it. This is called faith. Jesus went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Every Christian should do his best to follow his Lord. We learn about how He wants us to live by studying the Bible, with special emphasis on the scripture in the New Testament. Here we will learn how Jesus thinks and behaves, how to grow in faith, how to pray, how to function as a member of the body of Christ in a local church… how to live our lives and how to share the truth with others. Part of our responsibility is to pray for others and to help those in need. We work hard to provide for our families and to give to support the ministry. But in all this labor and activity, our Heavenly Father reminds us to take time just to be in His presence, and that we should not be overly concerned with the accumulation of worldly property and wealth. “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” (1 Tim. 6:7 KJV)

Joseph 1637

Jesus entered into a synagogue on the sabbath. People who wanted to accuse Jesus asked Him. Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath? Jesus answered them saying, what man that has a sheep who fells into a pit, would not get it out. How much more is a man worth? Jesus turned to the man with the withered hand. He said stretch forth your hand. He was healed. How much is man worth to God? God created the world and everything in it for man. God wanted to share what He had with man. How long has it been since God created everything? How many people have accepted what God promised? Jesus went about doing good and healing all that was oppressed of the devil. It is there for anyone. So who will accept God promise?

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 12:1-8, Jesus and the disciples were walking through a corn field. They were hungry and plucked some ears and began to eat. Pharisees traveling with them began to complain to Jesus. It was against the law. Jesus responded, didn’t you read what King David did. He entered the temple and ate the show bread. It wasn’t lawful for him to do this. But he needed food and God provided. Jesus said, do you know what this means, I will have mercy and not sacrifice. For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day. God doesn’t condone sin. But God has mercy on those who seek him. David entered into the temple into the Holy of holies in the presence of God and God provided his need. So we are to enter into God’s presence and will receive His mercy. Because mercy triumphs over judgement.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

When Jesus sent out the disciples to preach the gospel, He told them if any city recieve not the gospel, shake off the dust of your feet. It was a testimony against that city. Jesus said in Matthew 11:20-29, just such rebukes. He said woe unto Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum. Jesus said it would have been better for Tyre and Sidon and Sodom. He said they would have received the gospel and repented. Then Jesus began to pray and thank God for revealing Himself. Then He began to call people to Himself. Jesus said I will give rest for your souls. Because My yoke is easy and My burden light. You never know who is going to accept the gospel. This is why we preach the gospel to everyone. As Paul said, that some may be saved. God is the only one who gives the increase or the willingness to accept the gospel. It is the grace of God.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com