Matthew #50: Wise Living In A Troubled World (Matthew 24:15-35)

May 17, 2026 Rob Woodrum

This Sunday we’ll be continuing our trek through Matthew 24, reading v15-35. Much of what Jesus predicts in this section deals with the upcoming siege of Jerusalem, a prediction that was fulfilled in 70 AD.

As we did last week, we’ll focus on the instructions we receive from Jesus concerning how we respond and live in light of the temporal nature of this world’s systems. As you read through the passage, pay attention to the places where Jesus gives specific instructions to his disciples and consider how those instructions would apply to our lives in this present world.

While so much of our modern Church’s interest is in the speculations about when, what and who of these predictions, Jesus seems to focus on more pragmatic issues. What can that tell us about how we, as the Church, should respond to these words?

This will, hopefully, be an encouraging study – I hope you can join us this Sunday at 10 AM.

Click here for a PDF of the teaching slideshow.

Matthew #49: Living In A Fading World (Matthew 24:1-14)

May 13, 2026 Rob Woodrum

This Sunday we’ll be starting chapter 24 of Matthew’s gospel this Sunday reading the first 14 verses. End time predictions are almost a cottage industry in the Church over the years…needless to say, we won’t be adding to those. What we’ll learn from Jesus is that there is a presupposition of the world’s ending. It’s how we live in the time we have that’s truly important.

v1-3 give us the overall heading of this section. Jesus predicts the end of something – what is it? The disciples ask him when this will happen, and what sign to look for to signal his coming. Do you find that odd? He’s right in front of them – why are they asking about his coming? They didn’t expect him to leave – what were they talking about? The word “coming” in the Greek is “parousia” – the arrival of a king. They are asking when he’ll be revealed as King and bring the present, broken world to it’s conclusion. They don’t realize it, but they are asking two different questions. What then, are the two subjects in view in this section?

Jesus describes things that sound like current events to us and could be alarming – except for what Jesus says in v6. What are these events, in his view?

Instead of giving his disciples a straight forward answer about when these things would happen – what does Jesus say to his disciples as instruction? (hint: v4, v6, v13)

Before things really end, what is happening according to v14? What is our mission then, in light of the end? Does knowing when the end may come have any bearing on what our mission is? Does it change? If not, what does that tell us?

We may not all agree on how to view eschatology (views on the “end times”), but that should never be a reason to divide us. Let’s approach this text as objectively as we can and see what we may learn by God’s Spirit. See you this Sunday!

Click here for a pdf of the teaching slideshow.

Matthew #48: Bad Religion (Matthew 23:1-39)

May 3, 2026 Rob Woodrum

Join us as we continue our study of the book of Matthew. In this passage, Jesus pronounces woes upon the religious leaders.

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Matthew #47: God's Redemptive Plan (Matthew 22:15-46)

April 26, 2026 Rob Woodrum

This Sunday we’ll be reading through a string of confrontations Jesus experiences in Matthew 22:15-46 as we continue our study in that Gospel. It’s delightful to me how Jesus is able, not only to gracefully answer his accusers, but to weave clues into his answers that reveal an overview of what God is up to.

The section we’ll be covering breaks down into four sections – v15-22, where Jesus is asked if it’s lawful to pay a poll tax to Rome. It was an extremely loaded (even dangerous) question. His answer reveals that Jesus wasn’t a political crusader – he was loyal to only One. In what way do you think we bear the image of God the way a coin bore the image of Caesar?

In v23-33 Jesus is approached by the Sadducees who rejected the notion of a resurrection at the end of the age (we’ll go into why on Sunday). They pose a riddle meant, in their minds, to highlight the absurdity of resurrection. V 32 sums up Jesus’ unassailable response. What do you think his point is, that God is the God of the living, not the dead?

The famous confrontation about the greatest commandment is found in v33-40. Why do you think Jesus said that the entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on the two commandments to love God and our neighbor as ourself? How would love be the main component of all that the law of Moses required?

Finally, Jesus turns the tables and asks them a question in v41-46, about the existential nature of the Messiah. We’ll go into what Jesus was getting at, and we’ll see how it actually brackets the whole section by subtly pointing back to the image of Caesar on the coin.

I think this will be an encouraging section to dig into. I hope you can join us this Sunday as we do!

Click here for a pdf of the teaching slideshow.

Matthew #46: An Invitation From The King (Matthew 22:1-14)

April 19, 2026 Rob Woodrum

What is the biggest, most elaborate party you’ve ever been invited to? Did you enjoy yourself or was it challenging to be there?

No matter how big the party was that you attended, I can guarantee it didn’t hold a candle to ancient royal feasts. They were known to last up to 10 days. Even into the medieval period, England and France threw a joint party that lasted for 17 days in a huge field, where everyone was given coats woven with silk and gold.

This Sunday we’ll read a story told by Jesus about a party thrown by a king who gets snubbed. It’s a curious story, not without its critics. We’ll be reading Matthew 22:1-14.

Who do you believe the king is in this story? Who is the son? Who do you believe the people snubbing the invitation represent? Who do you think the replacement invitees are? If you said, respectively, “God, Jesus, the Religious Leaders, the church”, you would be in the company of the majority of those who interpret this parable. I agree with them too. There are other views about who is representing whom, but they aren’t as convincing to me, given the context and theme that has been rolling along since chapter 21 began.

Jesus compares the kingdom of God to an elaborate party. How does that fit within your pictures of what God’s kingdom is like? How does it match up with images of people with wings sitting on clouds and playing harps? Which is more appealing to you?

How would you interpret the last part of the story – the guy who is under-dressed and gets tied up and thrown out? What do you suppose this metaphor is representing to us about our invitation to God’s party? How might Galatians 3:27 help you imagine what this part means?

Just some stuff to ponder. Hope to see you Sunday at 10:00 AM!

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Matthew #45: The Great Power Grab (Matthew 21:33-46)

April 12, 2026 Rob Woodrum

Has someone ever taken something that belonged to you – or at least you felt belonged to you? How did that make you feel?

Have you ever been in charge of something and someone else starts stepping all over your authority? What do you want to do in a situation like that? We’re going to be thinking about that theme this Sunday as we continue our study in Matthew, reading chapter 21:33-46.

Jesus tells a parable that traditionally is referred to as “the parable of the wicked tenants”…but it could be more accurately called “the story of the renters from hell”.

Read the parable over. Who do you think the sharecroppers, who are renting the property, represent? Who would they represent as we try to apply this parable to our own lives and church context?

Who does the Landowner represent? What do we learn from about Him from His responses to the growing tensions?

What was the last straw in this stand-off? What drove the Landowner to action? What can we learn from this story about our own lives and the choices and responses we have?

Jesus perpetually challenged the religious system – and this Sunday will be no different. I hope you can join us!

Click here for a pdf of the teaching slideshow.

Matthew #44: A Fruitless Religion (Matthew 21:18-23)

March 29, 2026 Rob Woodrum

Many years ago I was with my dad at the home of family friends. At one point, he reached out for an apple that was in a fruit bowl as the centerpiece for the table where we were sitting. Our friends gasped in horror as he quickly put it to his mouth and bit down hard…only to find it was plastic. I have to give it to the old man, his teeth were in great shape because he bit right through the plastic shell. We all had a good laugh (at least I did), but my dad didn’t seem to find it as humorous as the rest of us. I suppose it’s pretty disappointing to find an imitation meant only for display when you have your heart set on a tasty apple.

This Sunday we’ll be returning to our study in the book of Matthew, reading chapter 21:18-32, and we’ll be considering that theme of religion for display purposes only.

In v18-22, we see Jesus do the only destructive miracle in the entirety of the gospels. Do you think this fruitless tree was just something that irritated Jesus and he lashed out…or do you think there was something else being communicated in this? If this were a living parable being acted out for his disciples – what do you think the message is, given Jesus’ actions in the last section, where he condemned the temple?

The following account actually gives examples of what the message of the fig tree was. Jesus has yet another conflict with religious leaders – albeit, the chief priest is now involved. This is a first in an escalating opposition to Jesus. The question of authority is posed – “who do you think you are Jesus, emptying out the temple like that?”. There is no answer Jesus can give that won’t put him in immediate danger. Jesus pulls a Bugs Bunny (“Duck season, Wabbit season…”) by posing a question that is impossible for them to answer. Who were the religious leaders afraid of when it came to answering the question? What does that tell us about the motive for their spirituality?

The parable of the two sons spells it out in a pretty straightforward way. If you were to sum up the lesson of the parable, how would you word it?

Looking forward to examining this passage together! Hope to see you Sunday!

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Matthew #43: The Triumph of Peace (Matthew 21:1-17)

March 22, 2026 Rob Woodrum

This Sunday we’ll be reading the account of Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem, something we’ve called the “Triumphal Entry”. It’s a very familiar event from the Gospels, and one that we might miss the significance of because of that familiarity. We’ll be reading Matthew 21:1-17 as we continue our study of that Gospel.

This event is pointing back to ancient prophecies about the Messiah, as well as prior historical events in Israel, and all of it is meant to create a contrast between the kingdoms of this world and how God rules His kingdom. That’s something we’ll be digging into in our examination of the text.

We’ll also be reading about Jesus’ actions in the temple. Normally when we hear about Jesus driving out those who were selling sacrificial animals and exchanging money in the temple, we assume his motive is to rebuke commercialism/consumerism within the house of worship. I would say the majority of people read it that way…I know I always did.

This Sunday we’re going to challenge that idea. Jesus was certainly staging a prophetic rebuke…but of what? There is an alternative proposition about what Jesus was doing that I find quite persuasive, and the message if far deeper and heavier than mere consumerism. (Not to excuse a consumer mindset within the sphere of worship – there are other places in Scripture that address that as improper, I’m just not convinced that’s what Jesus was doing in this particular text).

I think this will be an enlightening, albeit challenging, study. I hope you can join us this Sunday!

Click here for a pdf of the teaching slideshow.

Matthew #42: The Power of Mercy (Matthew 20:29-34)

March 15, 2026 Rob Woodrum

This Sunday, in our study of the Gospel of Matthew, we’ll be reading Matthew 20:29-34.

Like all the gospel writers, Matthew loves a good contrast. In this text, we find two blind and desperate men who are presented right on the heels of James and John seeking greatness in the last section. Instead of two self-assured followers of Jesus looking for advancement, we have these two beggars bereft of any self-confidence. It’s another reminder of what sort of attitudes rightly represent God’s kingdom activity.

When the blind men call out to Jesus for mercy, the crowd tries to silence them. What are some of the ways in which societal pressures or assessments try to silence our cries for God’s mercy? This passage is inviting us to consider the nature of God’s mercy and its powerful effect on our lives. When these men experienced the mercy of Jesus by receiving their sight, what did they do? When we’ve encountered God’s mercy in our lives, how can that draw us closer to him?

This story is a great reminder of the depths of God’s love for us, and his desire to meet our true needs, not just our immediate wants. I think it will be really encouraging! Hope you can join us this Sunday as we dig into scripture together!

Click here for a pdf of the teaching slideshow.

Matthew #41: The Path To Greatness (Matthew 20:17-28)

March 8, 2026 Rob Woodrum

This Sunday, we will continue our study in the Gospel of Matthew as we read Matthew 20:17–28.

In this passage, Jesus predicts His death for the third and final time (see also Matthew 16:21 and Matthew 17:22). Yet instead of seeing the disciples wrestle with or process what Jesus has just revealed, we immediately encounter an unexpected request. The mother of James and John approaches Jesus asking that her sons be given seats of honor in His kingdom.

Their reaction reminds me of this humorous scene from The Simpsons, when Marge gives Homer instructions for when she’s away:

Like Homer in the clip, the request from the disciples’ mother—and likely James and John themselves—shows little indication that they truly heard what Jesus was saying. Jesus is speaking about suffering, betrayal, and death in Jerusalem, yet their focus is on status and position.

The passage invites us to pause and reflect:
Are we really listening to what Jesus is saying?
Do we understand the road He is describing for His followers?

As the section unfolds, it becomes clear that the disciples are looking ahead to the throne awaiting Jesus, but they are not recognizing the cross that lies on the road to get there.

Jesus responds by teaching them that leadership in His kingdom must look radically different from the power structures of the world. Instead of authority being used to dominate others, greatness in God’s kingdom is defined by humility, service, and sacrifice.

We invite you to join us this Sunday at 10:00 AM as we dive into God’s Word together.

Click here for a pdf of the teaching slideshow.

Matthew #40: The Radical Exchange (Matthew 19:27-20:16)

March 1, 2026 Rob Woodrum

This Sunday we’ll be reading Matthew 19:27-20:16 – which includes a parable that is unique to Matthew’s gospel. It is the parable of the laborers in the vineyard.

In chapter 19, after witnessing what happened with the rich young ruler, Pete asks the question that is basically “after sacrificing all we had to follow you, what’s in it for us?”. Jesus does promise a reward to him, but where is it centered, according to the first part of v28? Given that context, what do you think the first/last dynamic is intended to teach us?

In chapter 20 Jesus tells a story about a rich landowner who hires day laborers to pick grapes during the vineyard’s harvest. The story is unsettling in it’s economic implications – but what about it’s spiritual ones? What reason does the landowner give for paying everyone the same amount? What do you believe that is teaching us about our pursuit of spiritual and eternal rewards and the actual source of it?

In v12, what is the chief complaint about the identical pay-stubs everyone had? What does this tell us about the self-perception of the complainers? In v 15 when it says “Or do you begrudge my generosity?”, it literally is asking “why do you give my generosity the evil eye?” Many, if not most, translations read a variation on “Should you be jealous because I am kind to others”. What are the complainers be envious of? They received what they agreed on as a wage. Justice was done…but something else was added – what? It’s interesting that they aren’t jealous of the money the short-timers received, they’re jealous of the landowners right to judge by his own standards. This really makes me think of something we’ll expound on in the teaching.

I find this whole story to be fascinating…hope you can join us on Sunday!

Click here for a pdf of the teaching slideshow.

Matthew #39: Treasures The World Misses (Matthew 19:13-26)

February 22, 2026 Rob Woodrum

Last week my son carried his piggy bank to the store and exchanged months of saved change for a pair of upside down goggles. After carefully looking at each item in the toy aisle, he chose to spend his own money on something that would flip his view of the world. The goggles use small mirrors to turn everything upside down, and they honestly made me dizzy when I tried to use them. Simple challenge cards like high five the person next to you or drawing a tree suddenly become surprisingly difficult. What feels easy becomes confusing and what seems obvious takes patience and practice.

This Sunday we will look at a passage that reveals the upside down nature of God’s Kingdom. It can feel as though Jesus is turning everything over, but in truth he is restoring the world to what it was always meant to be.

In Matthew 19:13-26 Jesus welcomes children, who were overlooked in that culture, and he challenges a wealthy young man to surrender his possessions. The least are treasured in God’s Kingdom, and earthly treasures are exposed as worthless. What does that say about the things we value most? Where might our perspective need to be flipped?

We invite you to join us this Sunday at 10:00 AM as we read and study this passage of scripture together.

Click here for a pdf of the teaching slideshow.

Matthew #38: A Controversial Trap (Matthew 19:1-12)

February 15, 2026 Rob Woodrum

I will warn you, the topic of our passage this week is going to be uncomfortable. One may be tempted to skip this teaching, but I can assure you we’ll be treading very carefully here, and you may even be relieved as we get into the cultural and historical elements that surround this text – those elements make this section far more nuanced that a cursory reading seems.

We’ll be reading Matthew 19:1-12 in our study of this Gospel.

One thing I intend to do this Sunday is zero in on the set up for this discourse by Jesus. It’s so very important to remember how Jesus got onto this topic…it was a trap. I want to consider that this Sunday. We’ll look at what Jesus says and see how it instructs his people in marriage relationships, but we’ll also note that Jesus doesn’t allow himself to get cornered by the trick question the religious leaders posed to him. His focus, as it is consistently, is on the heart.

What can we learn from the way Jesus deals with this culturally and politically sensitive topic? There is a difference between the way Jesus speaks in public and the things he says in private to his disciples. How can we apply this to the way we hold our convictions before a watching (and listening) world?

I encourage you, if you’re concerned about this text, we will be remain centered on God’s grace. Hope to see you this Sunday!

Click here for a pdf of the teaching slideshow.

Matthew #37: The Call To Community (Matthew 18:15-35)

February 8, 2026 Rob Woodrum

Did you know that April 15 marks Eastgate’s 31st birthday? Last year at a staff meeting, we talked about how amazed we were that our little church community had reached 30 years. Now here we are, a year later, celebrating 31.

Instead of throwing a big party, we realized we would rather invest our energy into the people and ministries that make this community what it is.

Over the past year, we launched a podcast to share more about who we are and to talk about things we do not always have time for on a Sunday morning. We created our first ever VBS program from scratch and served over 30 children. We began weekly financial support for Pastor Christian and the Spanish speaking ministry he leads. We also opened a new Eastgate location in the Fountain and Marianna area called Eastgate North, led by Julie Gjendem and her husband Trond.

We also continued many of the quiet, faithful practices that shape who we are. Our weekly donations to the Panama City Rescue Mission continued. Our meal train ministry kept bringing meals to families welcoming babies or walking through illness. Men’s gatherings, women’s gatherings, young adult meetings, and small groups all carried on. We trained and hired our teens to help care for children during special events, inviting them into responsibility and service.

I have been part of this community for all 31 years, and I am continually in awe of what God has done through this imperfect, generous group of people. That brings us to this Sunday’s scripture. Jesus will be teaching about what to do when people in a community face internal struggles.

The truth is that a healthy community is made up of people, and wherever there are people, there will be conflict. This Sunday we will read Matthew 18:15 to 35. The first part of the teaching helps us see that conflict is not only normal, but that there are wise and loving ways to address it. How might learning to handle conflict well actually strengthen a community rather than weaken it?

We invite you to join us this Sunday at 10:00 AM as we study this scripture together and reflect on what it means to cultivate community.

Click here for a pdf of the teaching slideshow.

Matthew #36: The Humble Standard (Matthew 18:1-14)

February 1, 2026 Rob Woodrum

My dad used to say: “If it weren’t for my great humility, I’d go on about how humble I am”. It was a joke, of course, but how often do we find it difficult not to go out of our way to make sure the people around us have taken note of our gracious and humble attitudes? That’s the struggle we have with our fallen, human nature – we just want to be recognized in one way or another. We are a very lonely and insecure species.

We’re coming to a section in our study of Matthew where Jesus is going to give us some instruction as to how to handle ourselves in community. We’ll be reading Matthew 18:1-14.

The scene opens with Jesus’ disciples vying for the number one spot in terms of God’s kingdom and His fantasy team ranking. In response, Jesus puts a child in front of them and commands that we follow that example. In what ways do children embody the concept of humility on a societal level? If we think about ancient attitudes towards children, it expands that idea even further. How is Jesus’ call to intentional humility distinct from the way our normal societal patterns work? If we’re not getting our validation from our fellow humans, where will we get it from if we embrace intentional humility?

Jesus warns us not to put a scandalon (stumbling block) in front of his humble children– that is, offend or trip up someone who is a humble believer in Jesus. Given the context of not seeking to advance ourselves over each other, how do you think this translates to our community interaction? Based on the imagery Jesus uses, how important do you think this is to him?

The final section has a parable about a shepherd who leaves his ninety nine sheep to search for one lost lamb. He was pointing out how all the sheep are valuable to God. No one is unimportant, including you and I. Realizing that, what do you think Jesus’ point is concerning how we interact with each other in community? How can we better embody these traits as a church? If we could do that, what effect do you think it would have on the world around us?

Hope you can join us this COLD Sunday!

Click here for a pdf of the teaching slideshow.

Matthew #35: Sacrificial Freedom (Matthew 17:22-27)

January 25, 2026 Rob Woodrum

We’ll be reading Matthew 17:22-27 this Sunday. It’s a highly unusual story. One that’s unique to Matthew’s gospel, but understandable considering his tax-collector background.

The story opens in v22-23 where Jesus once again announces his upcoming arrest and execution, as well as his resurrection. Again, the disciples are puzzled.

When they get to home to Capernaum, they are confronted by “collectors of the Temple Tax”. This was a tax instituted in Exodus 30 as a census tax that went to support the temple operations. The priests would go to outlying areas up in Galilee and collect it from the Jewish people. When the collectors corner Peter, they assume Jesus isn’t going to pay that tax. Why do you think they would assume that? Interestingly, a sect within Israel, who was contemporary to Jesus, the Essenes, openly opposed the temple tax. It’s probable that the priests were trying to embroil Jesus in a politicalized debate.

Peter answers in the affirmative, but when he sits down with Jesus, he gets a different perspective. Jesus gives a parable about the kings of earth and how they operate a tax. We’ll get into what Jesus is getting at on Sunday – but it’s pretty clear that Jesus considers himself and his followers as free from that tax.

Surprisingly, Jesus capitulates, he does so not to offend. What can we learn about Jesus’ attitude and our calling here? What do you think is worth offending people over when it comes to our faith?

The fish story at the end…that’s something, huh? What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever found? We see here that God will provide for us to peacefully navigate through this world of ever present cultural expectations. Let’s trust him for the wisdom to live well.

I hope you can join us on Sunday!

Click here for a pdf of the teaching slideshow.

Matthew #34: Christ's Glory Revealed (Matthew 17:1-20)

January 18, 2026 Rob Woodrum

Are you familiar with the phrase “a mountaintop experience”? It’s describing times of glory and exuberance, especially as it touches our spiritual journey. Those experiences are great, but usually…actually, always short lived.

This Sunday we’ll be reading Matthew 17:1-20 and we’ll read about the original mountaintop experience as we get a glimpse of God’s glory revealed in Christ.

The first section, v1-8, provides the account of the “transfiguration” of Jesus. Jesus takes three of his disciples up on a mountain, and there, his appearance changes in front of them – he is glorious. Why do you think Moses and Elijah showed up? What is it that they represent?

When the voice instructs us to “listen to him“, Jesus, what do you think that means in light of who is on the mountaintop with him?

When they head off the mountain in v 9-13 the disciples get a lesson about Elijah’s coming before the Messiah. Why do you think the people didn’t recognize John the Baptist as a fulfillment of Micah’s prophecy about Elijah’s appearance? What can we learn from that when it comes to our expectations about how God will manifest his glory?

After they return down from the mountaintop experience, they face a different tone in v14-20. What is the key element that Jesus says is missing, which prevented the disciples from helping the demonized boy? What connection would there be between our faith and God’s glory?

We’ll get really honest about our journey this Sunday – hope to see you there!

Click here for a pdf of the teaching slideshow.

Matthew #33: The Cost of Belief (Matthew 16-38)

January 11, 2026 Rob Woodrum

In Matthew 16:13-28, Jesus asks a question of his disciples that still confronts each of us today: “Who do you say I am?” There have always been plenty of opinions about Jesus. Even to this day, some say Jesus was merely a prophet, teacher, or a well meaning individual. However, Jesus presses past secondhand answers and makes it personal. How we answer this question matters because it shapes how we live and what we believe about God, ourselves, and the world. Who is Jesus to you?

Peter boldly answers, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God,” and Jesus affirms that this confession is the foundation of the church. Belief in Jesus is the doorway into the Kingdom of Heaven—but that kingdom doesn’t look the way we expect. When Jesus explains that the Messiah must suffer and die, Peter resists, revealing how easy it is to trust Jesus while still wanting control over how his plan unfolds.

Jesus then makes it clear: following him means surrender. “Take up your cross and follow me” is a call to sacrificial love. He goes on to say that this means losing our lives so we can truly find them. The kingdom of God is upside down, where real power looks like humility and real life is found in giving ourselves away.

We invite you to join us this Sunday at 10:00AM as we study Matthew 16:13-28 together.

Click here for a pdf of the teaching slideshow.

Matthew #32: A Contrast of Intent (Matthew 15:29-16:12)

January 4, 2026 Rob Woodrum

This Sunday we’ll be returning to our study in Matthew, and we’ll read Matthew 15:29-16:12. It’s a big section, but I think you’ll see how it all goes together pretty well.

As you read through this section you’ll notice that, even connected with last section, there is an ongoing bread theme. The Canaanite woman asked for bread crumbs. Jesus provides bread in the wilderness and then warns about the wrong kind of spiritual bread. There could be a whole teaching in that thematic vein alone…but that’s not where I went for this study.

In the section that closes out chapter 15, Jesus is doing all sorts of miracles, finishing off with a miraculous feast on a desert mountaintop. Mark’s parallel account clues us in that this happened in the Decapolis – a largely gentile region. When Jesus is performing all these miracles in that region, what does it mean? How should it be read?

When we come to chapter 16 the Pharisees and Sadducees ask for a sign – ignoring what has been happening right under their noses. They are intent on trying to control God’s plan concerning what Messiah would be doing, and with whom. In what ways are we sometimes guilty of trying to dictate to God our own purposes? How can we keep from trying to steal the director’s chair in life?

in v 5-12, Jesus’ disciples are cast in a pretty dim light. They forgot bread and assume Jesus’ warning about the leaven of the Pharisees was about a lack of bagels. Leaven is used as a metaphor for an element introduced that changes it’s host into something else. Leaven changes bread dough, causing it to rise and inflate. In what way do you think the teaching of the Pharisees had done this as it touched Israel’s calling? What is Jesus warning his disciples about? What are the philosophies, politics and religious agendas in our world that could veer us off the path that God originally set the church on? What is lacking, according to v8, that can keep us from falling prey to these aberrant directions?

Once again, this will be a challenging and thought provoking passage to dig into. Hope to see you on Sunday!

Click here for a pdf of the teaching slideshow.

Matthew #31: The Canaanite Woman Who Outwitted Jesus (Matthew 15:21-28)

December 14, 2025 Rob Woodrum

This Sunday we’ll be reading Matthew 15:21-28.

This is a distressing section of Scripture. We are confronted with a Jesus who seems strange to us; uncharacteristically distant and even apparently rude. He and his disciples have left Israel and are 50 miles north in the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon, which is modern day Lebanon. While there, a local woman calls out for Jesus’ help on behalf of her demonized daughter. Jesus doesn’t answer her, but remains silent.

Jesus’ response and statements about and to this woman are perplexing – they have been since he spoke them, I guess. What lessons can we learn about faith – faith that’s not easy, exercised in a world that is not easy on us either. In what ways can she inspire us when we feel frustrated by God’s silence or by circumstances that seem to be against us?

We will be hearing a very interesting take on this passage tomorrow from a guest speaker. I’m very excited to hear what it said!

Click here for a pdf version of the teaching slideshow.