Bridgeman City Church Bridgeman City Church, Bridgeman Baptist Community Church

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.

Matthew 8:5-13
A Roman centurion, the picture of power in the ancient world, comes to Jesus seeking help. Pastor Matt highlights the Spirit of Jesus in this interaction that revolves around authority. Authority is order and meaning, without it there is nothing. The one who has their request answered is the one who humbles themselves before the Ultimate Authority who gives Life and Meaning to all things.

Matthew 8:1-4
Jesus comes down from the mountain where He has just spoken some of His most famous words. More than beautiful words, His Spirit is a reality to be known, to be lived through. Brad reflects on God's faithfulness and His willingness to be for us Life itself. The Spirit of Christ says, "I am willing. Be clean!"

Matthew 7:24-28
The Sermon on the Mount ends with people in awe. More than just at the beauty of Jesus' words, but at the gravity surrounding Him—the Authority He carries, the Life He is. His final Word rings out as a definitive Statement of Truth: Life is in Me.

If Life is in you, if you are built on The Rock, then you will know a Life that is unhindered and unassailable. Everything else is burning up to reveal the always remaining Truth.

Matthew 7:13-23
The Truth excludes by Nature, but it is not exclusive. Pastor Matt draws on the Spirit of Jesus as He speaks of the Narrow Gate that leads to Life. For every statement of Truth, there can be an infinity of lies that are unrealities.

What does that mean for us? If the Truth is so restrictive, how can we find ourselves included in It? Hear the wonderful invitation of Christ in Jesus' words.