In Matthew 18:15-20, Jesus was teaching about unity in the body of Christ. He said if a brother has transgressed against you, go to him and show him what he did. If he shall hear you, you have gained your brother. If he will not listen, then take one or two witnesses to talk to him. Let all things be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If he still will not listen, bring him before the church and explain. If he still will not listen, let him be as a heathen or outcast. God is concerned with unity in the body of Christ. Anyone or thing that is disruptive must be dealt with to maintain unity in the body of Christ. Jesus said that where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Jesus has promised that He will never leave us. He has also assured us that no one can take us away from Him. And the Lord also exhorts us to seek Him with our whole hearts. God warns us not to forsake Him. “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today”, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end” (Hebrews 3:12-14 KJV.) Stay close to Him.

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 18:7-14, Jesus was teaching how to enter into heaven. Then He began to teach about those who caused people to be lead astray or offended. He is trying to get people to understand what they do wrong is their fault. Jesus talked about people who causes offenses. Then Jesus explained one of the reasons He came to earth. He said that He came to save that which was lost. The teaching is the parable of the one and ninety nine sheep. He said He would leave the ninety nine and search for the one lost sheep. When He found the one lost sheep, He would rejoice more than about the ninety nine that stayed. God wants to gather us home, but we have to decide what we are going to do. Jesus is our shepherd, but we must follow Him.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 18:1-6, Jesus and the disciples were in Capernaum. The disciples thinking like man, asked Jesus who is the greatest in the kingdom? Jesus took a child and placed him in the middle of the disciples. He said, unless you be converted and became as a child, you can’t enter into kingdom. He was saying that we have to humble ourselves before God. It means that we have to be vulnerable to this world. Why open ourselves to attack? People are looking for something that will not threaten them. It draws them in to recieve what Jesus is saying. Jesus also that any that harms one of his children, will be fighting against God. Jesus said it this way. It would be better if the person hung a milestone around his neck and were cast into the sea. Jesus was giving direction and protection to his family.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 17:22-27, Jesus and the disciples were near Capernaum. Jesus told the disciples that He would be betrayed into the hands of men. And shall be killed. On third day He shall rise again. The disciples were disheartened. They didn’t understand. All they could see is that Jesus was going to die. They came to Capernaum, the tax collectors, asked the disciples if they had paid tribute? Jesus answered the disciples, who prays tribute? The disciples answered, strangers. Then Jesus said, that the children are free. Jesus said, not to be an offense to them, go to the sea of Galilee and cast a line in the water. He said, the first fish you catch, there will be money in it’s mouth. Go and pay the tribute. In every plan that God has for us, we have apart to play. God will use what we do to bring about the right results. There is always things to do in the kingdom. Even new babies have their part to play in the work of the kingdom. And Jesus told the disciples and us how He will accomplish God’s will by His death and resurrection.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 17:14-21, Jesus and the disciples came down the mountain to the multitude. A man came and fell down before Jesus. He ask Jesus to heal his lunatick son, who was possessed of the devil. The disciples tried but couldn’t cast the devil out. Jesus said, O faithless and perverse generation, how do I have to be with you. Jesus cast out the devil. The disciples asked Jesus why they couldn’t. Jesus said, only by prayer and fasting could you. The world has gone to hell in handbasket. We are looking on the sidelines, saying that’s terrible. It shouldn’t be. And you wring your hands in discuss. O faithless and perverse generation how long will you wait before doing what God has said. Only by prayer and fasting are these devils cast out. Jesus is our example. He was always praying and fasting.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 17:9-13, Jesus and the disciples came down from the mountain. Jesus told them not to say anything about His transfiguration, until He has risen from the dead. Then the disciples were discussing why the scribes were talking about Elijah coming first. Jesus began to explain. He said Elijah has come and they killed him. Which they will do to Me. Then they understood that John the Baptist was Elijah. Why was John the Baptist Elijah? Elijah wore a leather skirt and his prayer shawl was made of camel hair. Elisha wore this until he died. God directed the high priest, after Elisha died, to store the leather skirt and camel hair prayer shawl under the table of the showbread in the Holy of Holies in the temple. John the Baptist’s father was performing his duties as high priest, when the angel Gabriel told him of his son the next prophet in Israel. Gabriel told him to take the leather skirt and camel hair prayer shawl for his son. And John the Baptist came in the spirit of Elijah, preaching the gospel.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 17, Jesus is transfigured into His glorified body. Moses and Elijah appeared with Him. They were talking to Jesus. Then God appeared in a cloud over them. Then Jesus was by Himself. Both Moses and Elijah are prominent in both old and new testament. Both because they did many things to led the people to God. But they are prominent for another reason. There are 3 people who haven’t died on earth and went home to heaven. They are Enoch, Moses and Elijah. Enoch walked with God and was not, because God took him. Moses watched as the children of Israel walked over the Jordan river. Moses climb up mount Nebo and disappeared. Elijah was walking along as a chariot of fire came from heaven and took him home. You’ll find the stories in Genesis 5, Joshua 22 and 2 Kings 2. Enoch is mentioned in 2 scriptures. But what it says applies to us today. Enoch walked with God and God took him and he was no more.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

In Matthew 17:1-8, Jesus had finished teaching the disciples. He took Peter, James and John up Mount Hermon. When they reached a pinnacle, there appeared Moses and Elijah standing next to Jesus. They were talking to Him. Jesus was transfigured before their face into His glorified body. He shown like the sun. Peter said it’s good that we are here. Peter wanted to make 3 tabernacles. A cloud descended upon Jesus and Moses and Elijah. Then God spoke and said, this is My beloved Son, hear Him. Peter, James and John fell on their faces, because they knew it was God Himself. Jesus told not to be afraid. When they looked up, it was just Jesus. God will confirm all things to us. Peter, James and John saw a portion of heaven. We see in part, but when we will be there we shall know as we are known.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

How many of you want to die? But if you aren’t dead, you aren’t a Christian. Jesus is our example. In Matthew 16:21-28, Jesus began to tell the disciples that He must go to Jerusalem to suffer and die. Peter spoke up first and said God forbid. Jesus rebuked him for being selfish. Jesus told him that he was thinking of himself not God’s will. God’s plan for each of us is corporate. It not only includes us but everyone else. God brings you along and to the place where His plan unfolds and it effects everyone. No one is a loner. We are a church fitly joined together. Jesus is the cornerstone. In Galatians 2:20, it says I’m crucified with Christ. It means we are dead to ourselves. And don’t own yourself any more. We are to follow. Paul said it, I die daily. And this how we are to live. And those who choose not to will lose everything they have, including Jesus.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com