Read the Bible: The New Testament in a Year

Matthew 19. Day 87 - The New Testament in a Year

Episode Notes: 

Today's Scripture: Matthew 19(CSB)

Podcast Homepage: The New Testament in a Year

Bible Reading Plan: Navigators Reading Plan

Contact Sean through email here:  [email protected]

NTIY on Facebook: Facebook.com/newtestamentinayear

NTIY Website: www.newtestamentinayear.com

Episode Highlights:

The Sanctity of Marriage.  Blessing the Children.  The Rich Young Ruler. 

Jesus said, “Leave the little children alone, and don’t try to keep them from coming to me, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14

In this episode, we explore Matthew Chapter 19, exploring critical teachings of Jesus on marriage, children, and wealth. We focus on key elements such as the sanctity and permanence of marriage as Jesus addresses the Pharisees' challenging questions on divorce, highlighting how our relationships should reflect God's original intention for unity and lifelong commitment. We also witness Jesus embracing little children, teaching us the importance of humility and openness in receiving the kingdom of heaven, and challenging our perceptions of value and worth. The encounter with the rich young ruler further probes the tension between earthly wealth and spiritual riches, urging us to consider what we might be holding onto that could hinder our full commitment to following Christ.

Through our reflections on these passages, we glean profound insights and encouragement for our spiritual journey. The unwavering truth of marriage calls us to honor and cherish our relationships more deeply, aligning them with divine principles. In embracing childlike faith, we're invited to renew our trust and wonder in our walk with God, stripping away cynicism. The discussion around the rich young ruler reminds us of the cost of discipleship, challenging us to evaluate our priorities and the place of material possessions in our lives. Each of these teachings encourages us to pursue a deeper, more meaningful relationship with Christ, reshaping our actions and decisions in the light of His teachings.

Matthew 18. Day 86 - The New Testament in a Year

Episode Notes: 

Today's Scripture: Matthew 18(CSB)

Podcast Homepage: The New Testament in a Year

Bible Reading Plan: Navigators Reading Plan

Contact Sean through email here:  [email protected]

NTIY on Facebook: Facebook.com/newtestamentinayear

NTIY Website: www.newtestamentinayear.com

Episode Highlights:

Child-Like Faith. The Lost Sheep.  The Unforgiving Servant.

"What do you think? If someone has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, won’t he leave the ninety-nine on the hillside and go and search for the stray?"  Matthew 18:12

In this episode, we explore Matthew Chapter 18, where the emphasis on humility, forgiveness, and community shines through. We explore important "look-fors" such as Jesus’ profound teaching using a child to illustrate humility and the essential nature of innocence in faith. The parable of the lost sheep and the repeated call to forgive not just seven times but seventy-seven times are discussed in depth, providing us with a blueprint for understanding and practicing relentless forgiveness and unconditional love within our communities. These stories from Jesus not only teach us about the values that should govern our personal interactions but also about the persistent grace we must offer to one another.

The takeaways from this chapter offer us rich, actionable insights into how we can improve our walk with Christ. We are reminded of the importance of embracing humility, mirroring the trust and dependency of a child towards their parent. This episode encourages us to reflect on our own forgiveness practices, urging us to extend grace as abundantly as it is given to us by God. Additionally, by recognizing the unique value of every individual, we are called to actively engage in seeking out and nurturing those who are lost or sidelined. These reflections not only deepen our understanding of God’s kingdom but also challenge us to apply these truths in practical, everyday actions to enhance our communal and personal faith journeys.v

Matthew 17. Day 85 - The New Testament in a Year

Episode Notes: 

Today's Scripture: Matthew 17(CSB)

Podcast Homepage: The New Testament in a Year

Bible Reading Plan: Navigators Reading Plan

Contact Sean through email here:  [email protected]

NTIY on Facebook: Facebook.com/newtestamentinayear

NTIY Website: www.newtestamentinayear.com

Episode Highlights:

The Transfiguration.  The Power of Faith.   Embracing Discipleship. 

 “Because of your little faith,” he told them. “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”  - Matthew 17:20

In this episode, we explore Matthew Chapter 17, where the divine nature of Jesus is vividly illustrated through the awe-inspiring Transfiguration. We witness Jesus transformed, His face shining like the sun and His clothes dazzling white, alongside the Old Testament figures of Elijah and Moses. This profound moment is accentuated by the voice of God from the clouds, reaffirming Jesus as His beloved Son. As we delve into this chapter, we look for signs of Jesus' authority and divinity, understand the critical role of faith—emphasized through the disciples' struggle with unbelief—and contemplate Jesus' foretelling of His own suffering and resurrection, which puzzles yet prepares His disciples for the challenges ahead.

Our journey through this scripture brings us several impactful takeaways to enhance our walk with Christ. We are reminded of the importance of growing in our understanding of Jesus’ true nature and His teachings, recognizing that even a faith as small as a mustard seed can lead to miraculous outcomes. The episode encourages us to nurture our faith and rely on God's power in our lives, especially in moments of doubt and difficulty. Lastly, we embrace the journey of discipleship, learning to carry our crosses with perseverance and hope, and to trust in God's plan through the challenges of life. These reflections not only deepen our faith but also inspire us to live out the values of commitment and trust in our daily lives

Matthew 16. Day 84 - The New Testament in a Year

Episode Notes: 

Today's Scripture: Matthew 16(CSB)

Podcast Homepage: The New Testament in a Year

Bible Reading Plan: Navigators Reading Plan

Contact Sean through email here:  [email protected]

NTIY on Facebook: Facebook.com/newtestamentinayear

NTIY Website: www.newtestamentinayear.com

Episode Highlights:

Demand for a Sign.   Peter's Declaration.   The Cost of Discipleship.  

"Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me."  Matthew 16:24

In today's episode, we dive into Matthew Chapter 16, focusing on crucial moments that challenge and deepen our understanding of faith. We first encounter the demand for a sign from Jesus by the Pharisees and Sadducees, a scenario that highlights their skepticism and Jesus's response, pointing us to recognize the deeper signs of His messianic mission. As we progress, Peter’s declaration that Jesus is "the Christ, the Son of the living God" serves as a pivotal affirmation of faith, identified not through human wisdom but through divine revelation. This episode encourages us to look for the subtleties in Jesus’s teachings and the profound implications of acknowledging His true identity.

The takeaways from this chapter are both challenging and uplifting as they guide us in our spiritual journey. We explore the cost of discipleship, which calls for self-denial and bearing one's cross, inviting us to evaluate our daily choices through the lens of Jesus's teachings. The promise of eternal life further motivates us to focus on eternal rather than worldly gains, prompting us to live out the values of compassion, integrity, and humility. Through these reflections, we gain practical insights into applying these spiritual truths, encouraging us to live a life that truly reflects our commitment to following Christ.

Matthew 15. Day 83 - The New Testament in a Year

Episode Notes: 

Today's Scripture: Matthew 15(CSB)

Podcast Homepage: The New Testament in a Year

Bible Reading Plan: Navigators Reading Plan

Contact Sean through email here:  [email protected]

NTIY on Facebook: Facebook.com/newtestamentinayear

NTIY Website: www.newtestamentinayear.com

Episode Highlights:

Heart vs Ritual.   What Defiles a Person.   Persistent Faith. 

"Then Jesus replied to her, “Woman, your faith is great. Let it be done for you as you want.” And from that moment her daughter was healed."   Matthew 15:28 

In Matthew Chapter 15 we encounter a series of profound interactions and teachings from Jesus that challenge and expand our understanding of faith and purity. We begin by exploring a debate between Jesus and the Pharisees regarding the importance of human traditions versus God's commandments. This discussion then pivots to a crucial teaching about what truly defiles a person, emphasizing that it's not external practices but the intentions and outputs of the heart that matter most in our spiritual lives.

We also witness the remarkable faith of a Canaanite woman, whose interaction with Jesus underscores the inclusivity of His ministry and the power of persistent faith. Through her story, we see Jesus' message of salvation extending beyond the Jews to all humanity, inviting us to reflect on the boundaries we might unconsciously uphold within our own communities of faith. This episode not only guides us through the scripture but also encourages us to examine the purity of our hearts and the inclusiveness of our actions as we continue to walk in our faith journey.