We are a forgetful people in a land of distractions. Our minds are easily captivated by trivial and temporary inducements. New things quickly become old. In our mind’s eye even glory tends to fade and warnings tend to wane. It is no wonder that we who are invisibly united to Christ and visibly in and not of this world live in constant need of renewal. And what is true for the Christian is true for the church. This is a series that seeks to renew the mind of the church. Not so much by reviewing what she is called to do as much as what she is called. As with the Christian so with church, her God-given identity defines her. We who are the church are a people for God and none other.
Before we return to the book of Romans, we will be looking at the what scripture says about the Church, in its nature, how she expresses herself in song, and how the church cares and equips for its members.
The messages from this series can be found here:
Manny Pereira - May 2, 2021
Illustrious Ignorance
Israel’s leaders continue in concert to pursue the prosecution of Jesus. This is the second of their three final attempts. Each encounter is a drama of rejection, with cloaked hypocrisy and rich irony. These are not innocent inquiries. The questions thrown at Jesus are calculated to discredit and entrap Him in order to destroy Him. So the real issue here is that Jesus, not resurrection, is being rejected. In His masterful response, Jesus exposes both their arrogance and ignorance. He demonstrates prophetic wisdom, a living knowledge of Scripture, and an undefeatable ability to certify His claims. Jesus is the Messiah, and no one could disprove Him. As with the Pharisees, He silences the Sadducees. Jesus points decisively to their ignorance, which casts an illustrious shadow. Unbeknown to His interrogators, the whole scene illustrates something profoundly relevant to the identity and rejection of Jesus.
Scripture References: Matthew 22:23-33
