Bridgeman City Church Bridgeman City Church, Bridgeman Baptist Community Church

Matthew 9:14-17
Empty ritual stands in contrast to a life overflowing with God's abundance. Where does fasting fit in? John's disciples come to Jesus with a question: “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”

Matthew 9:9-13
Matthew the tax collector is called to follow Jesus. At his house Jesus meets with other tax collectors and sinners and the Pharisees take offence. Jesus sends them back into the Old Testament which they apparently know so well to discover what Mercy is. "I desire mercy not sacrifice" - Hosea 6:6

Matthew 9:1-8
A paralytic encounters Jesus and the Word of God is revealed to us. We are called to look beyond all appearances to know God Himself, to know Life by His authority and then to become that very Life in this world. Faith is the receipt of this Word.

Matthew 8:28-34
Jesus encounters two demon-possessed men and begins an interaction that involves pigs, a cliff, water and torture. There's a sifting that's happening in the lives of these two men as the Light, the Spirit of Jesus, hovers over them. The same Spirit of Jesus comes to us today.

Matthew 8:13-17
Jesus comes into Peter's house. Jesus touches Peter's mother-in-law. Jesus drives out evil spirits and heals the sick with a word. The Spirit of Jesus is defined by a movement to be planted as a Seed in the soil of our lives. His presence, His touch, His word meet us where we are, they unite with us and bear the Fruit of their Origin. As the Sower is, so too are those implanted by His Seed.

Matthew 21:1-11
We fast forward to Palm Sunday for our lead-in to Easter and find Jesus entering Jerusalem as a King on a donkey. Lowly and meek and yet proclaiming a Judgement. The Spirit of Life is taking up His throne and judgement is in His wake.