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Matthew 11:1-19...The Return of JTB

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Stephanie sent this picture to me with the heading " 2 blockheads. "  Understandable as I convinced her to go with me up the Green Mountain Trail that has a very steep ascent right out of the gate.  The trail was also very hard to negotiate at this time of the year with melting snow and post holing from those who didn't use snowshoes.  Fresh snow this week and colder temps so the snowshoes are not put away yet. We finished chapter 10 of the Gospel of Matthew last week so chapter 11 was our destination last Sunday.  Jesus spent a lot of time instructing His disciples about the pressure, push back and persecution that they might face from religious authorities, governing authorities, family and all of society.  Jesus goes from speaking of the persecutors to someone being persecuted, John the Baptist, JTB.  It is almost like " here is exhibit A." Highly regarded JTB is in prison for standing on God's Word and he sends 2 of his disciples to meet with Jesus to a...
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Matthew 10:34-42...The hardest rejection, the three requirements and the rewards from the receiving

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  You meet all kinds out on the trails in the RMNP!  This one was a friendly face I saw after snowshoeing from Coyote Trailhead to the Bowen/Baker Trailhead.  This one was a good turn around point.  Thank you to whoever took the time to create this smile maker.  The trail made by me behind our little friend was filling back in already from the wind whipping down the Kawuneeche Valley. It was a great Sunday gathering to end Jesus' sermon in Matthew 10.  Here are my bullet points for the chapter. Jesus draws to Himself and names the 12 disciples. (at His feet) Jesus gives them the authority of being His apostles. (sent out ambassadors) Jesus gives them practical instructions for their mission. (where to go, who to speak to, what to say, where to stay, what to take and not take, etc.) Jesus tells them of 2 responses and what to do (receive you so stay, reject you so shake the dust from your feet and move on) Jesus spends more time on the rejection response. Je...
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Matthew 10:27-33...Fear not who and fear who?

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  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OXZH-4VN2Q&t=266s The link above is for the service given last Sunday on this passage of scripture from the Gospel of Matthew.  Jesus is nearing the end of His instruction to His disciples/apostles that He will be sending out.  Here is a crude review of chapter 10 so far. Jesus names His disciples. Jesus moves them from disciples (learners) to apostles (official sent ones). Jesus gives them the ability to do what He has been doing. Jesus tells them the message to give. Jesus tells them what to take and not to take. Jesus tells them where to go and who to go to. Jesus tells them where to stay. Jesus tells them of the responses of receiving and rejecting. Jesus tells them how to respond to the responses. Jesus focuses on how to deal with rejection. Jesus tells them of the 4 areas of persecution:  religious authorities, governing authorities, family and all of society Jesus tells them not to fear them. This passage focuses on this ...
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