Jesus called a greedy tax collector to be His disciple. That is because Jesus could see what others could not. He saw in Levi a future scribe and conveyor of the gospel, a gift of God to the world. That is why He renamed him Matthew, meaning a gift of God. Jesus sees in all of us the potential to restore the image of God that we might become who God created us to be.

When Jesus was trying to preach in Capernaum, the crowd was so thick that so men got their paralyzed friend in front of Jesus by breaking through the roof. Jesus first forgave the man of his sins. That caused the Scribes to think Jesus was declaring He was God. He was! Then He proved it by telling the man to rise, pick up his bed and walk. The greater miracle was the forgiveness of sins. Have you experience it?

Seven reasons that God entered His own creation.

Leprosy was considered to be a disease that only God can cure. To touch a leper was to defile oneself. But Jesus compassion went out to a leper, and His touch made him whole. The man had trusted that Jesus was equal with God. He not only found healing in Jesus, but acceptance as well. Sin like leprosy eats away our soul. Come to Jesus and let Him heal your sin sick soul.

Jesus began His healing with one extremely busy day. He preached, cast out a demon, healed Simon's mother-in-law, and that evening all the sick and cast demons out of all in Capernaum who came to his door. The next morning He was up before dawn to pray, and then on to other towns to preach on the coming kingdom.

Faced with a demon possessed person, Jesus first silenced the demon and then set the man free. The sermon elaborates on the possibilities of why the demon would publicly declare Jesus is the Son of God, the fact that we who are in Christ do not need to fear demons, and the authority we have in Christ.

Our national holiday of Thanksgiving is a time to ponder how good God has been to us, the many blessings He has showered us by His grace. Psalm 136 was a Hebrew writers effort to thank God for the many wonders he had seen and heard about. Each one is followed by the reason for that blessing. His steadfast love endures forever! While our blessings are somewhat different, they are also similar in many ways and we receive them for the same reason.

Once John was imprisoned, Jesus began His ministry in Galilee. After preaching on the shore of Galilee, He asked Peter to go out into deep water and let down his net. Peter was reluctant, but went ahead and obeyed. Seeing the miraculous catch, Peter realized Andrew was right in saying Jesus was the Messiah. Jesus knew how doubtful Peter had been, and how unqualified he was and yet Jesus saw something in Peter and called him to be a disciple. The pastor tells of his own experiences at that location on Galilee.

As soon as Jesus was baptized the Spirit that came upon Him led him into the wilderness where He faced temptations during His 40 day fast. Each temptation was answered by the Word from Scripture that countered the temptation. Jesus was showing us how to fight spiritual battles.

Mark begins his Gospel with John's declaration that the Lord is about to show up and come to His temple. He goes on to warn us that like cities preparing for an arriving dignitary by repairing and cleaning up the road he will arrive on, we must clear off the road to our hearts. Repentance is seeing the sin in the desert of our heart's highway, clearing it off, and welcoming the King to come and reign in us.

This sermon is a brief review of the main themes of the letters to the Thessalonians, and admonition to not grow weary in well doing, and a pray that the Lord of peace personally give us peace in al times and in every way. We explore how to not grow weary and the way God gives us perfect peace.

Paul gives his final address to the Thessalonians in chapter 3. He asks for prayers for him and his team that the Word my spread quickly as it did with them. He reminds them that God is faithful. He asks that their hearts be directed toward the love of God. He gives one final instruction to stay away from those who pretended to be Christians but refused to work.

The Thessalonians had been through a lot, so Paul encouraged them that they were not only okay, but that God saved them so that they could obtain the glory of Christ! That is an amazing declaration. He also emphasized the eternal comfort and good hope that comes from God.

When the Antichrist sits in the temple of God declaring he is god, the world will have to choose between worshiping him or worshiping God. Those who reject the love of Jesus who is truth embodied will follow the Antichrist in making war on the saints. The love of Jesus is offered to all, but many reject it because they choose to go their own way.

This passage gives us two clear signs with descriptions of what will happen before Jesus comes to take us home in the rapture. These second sign includes details as to how to recognize it is happening. The rapture will not take place before they come to pass.

What's the priority in changing the world? Politics or faith?

When we get to heaven we are not only be in awe of the glory of God, but also at that of our brothers and sisters. The grace that would take us from rebels to saints is amazing. Paul prays that God will resolve our every resolve for good and every work of faith by His power.

We begin 2 Thessalonians with Paul's praise for their growing faith and love for one another. He goes on to tell us that their perseverance is sign that God was right in calling them. It is also a warning to those who were persecuting them that they would face the wrath of God.

Last week we had the to do behaviors, and today we have the do not section and Paul's beautiful, rich, benediction that concludes in a blessing of assurance.

This weeks message is referred to as three diamond drops as each of the three verses give us instruction as believers in living the Spirit filled life.