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Rethinking Church: Division vs. Unity | Matthew Elton

http://www.matthewelton.net/rethinking-church-division-vs-unity

Rethinking Church: Division vs. Unity. People, Not Buildings. In John 17, Jesus prayed that his church would be one in the same way that he and the Father are one. So why is there more competition between Christian denominations than there is in the Superbowl playoffs? In the Bible, the word church is translated from the Greek word ekklēsia. I can only imagine how much it grieves the Lord Jesus Christ when petty arguments over theology cause division in his church, and when minor disagreements cause beli...

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Right Here and Right Now | Matthew Elton

http://www.matthewelton.net/right-here-and-right-now

Right Here and Right Now. What good news for Mary and Martha! Jesus Christ had clearly stated that the sickness would not end in death. But only a few verses later, we find a shocking plot twist. Jesus tells his disciples, Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up. (John 11:11). The disciples thought he was talking about natural sleep, so they said, Lord, if he is sleeping, he will soon get better. What a shock this must have been for the disciples! Now it was too late!

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Calling | Matthew Elton

http://www.matthewelton.net/category/calling

That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. But God kept them from recognizing him. He asked them, What are you discussing so intently as you walk along? They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. Then Jesus said to them, You foolish people! Wasn’t it clearly ...

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Kingdom of God | Matthew Elton

http://www.matthewelton.net/category/kingdom-of-god

Right Here and Right Now. What good news for Mary and Martha! Jesus Christ had clearly stated that the sickness would not end in death. But only a few verses later, we find a shocking plot twist. Jesus tells his disciples, Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up. (John 11:11). The disciples thought he was talking about natural sleep, so they said, Lord, if he is sleeping, he will soon get better. What a shock this must have been for the disciples! Now it was too late!

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God’s Will | Matthew Elton

http://www.matthewelton.net/category/gods-will

Right Here and Right Now. What good news for Mary and Martha! Jesus Christ had clearly stated that the sickness would not end in death. But only a few verses later, we find a shocking plot twist. Jesus tells his disciples, Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but now I will go and wake him up. (John 11:11). The disciples thought he was talking about natural sleep, so they said, Lord, if he is sleeping, he will soon get better. What a shock this must have been for the disciples! Now it was too late!

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Peace | Matthew Elton

http://www.matthewelton.net/category/peace

Inner Peace: Where Does it Come From? Philosopher, scientist, and Christian apologist Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) observed that all of man’s miseries come from him not being able to sit still in a quiet room alone. Give a dog a bone to chew on and a warm fireplace to curl up beside, and it’ll be perfectly content. Give a cat a scratching post and a sunny windowsill, and it’ll be perfectly at peace. But give a man everything he could ever want, and he will eventually grow restless. The Dalai Lama put it thi...

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Church | Matthew Elton

http://www.matthewelton.net/category/church

Rethinking Church: Division vs. Unity. People, Not Buildings. In John 17, Jesus prayed that his church would be one in the same way that he and the Father are one. So why is there more competition between Christian denominations than there is in the Superbowl playoffs? In the Bible, the word church is translated from the Greek word ekklēsia. I can only imagine how much it grieves the Lord Jesus Christ when petty arguments over theology cause division in his church, and when minor disagreements cause beli...

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The Command to Go | Matthew Elton

http://www.matthewelton.net/the-command-to-go-2

The Command to Go. And Jesus came and said to them, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. But the truth of the matter is this: When Jesus commands us to go,. Going is not optional. What can we do to become more obedient to Christ’s command to go?

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Baptism | Matthew Elton

http://www.matthewelton.net/category/baptism

The Command to Baptize. Baptism is more than just a tradition or ritual. It is part of the Great Commission, the last command that Jesus gave before ascending into heaven. Jesus came and told his disciples, I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing. Them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

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He Must Become Greater | Matthew Elton

http://www.matthewelton.net/he-must-become-greater

He Must Become Greater. As powerful as the ministry of John the Baptist was, he knew he was insignificant compared to the one who was coming after him Jesus the Messiah:. John replied, No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.’. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. Jesus says I ...