Matthew 18:1-4 — True Greatness in the Kingdom — How to View Yourself Compared to Others
GOD MEASURES GREATNESS BY THE STANDARD OF HUMBLE DEPENDENCE RATHER THAN ACHIEVEMENTS OR WORLDLY RECOGNITION OR SOCIAL-ECONOMIC STATUS
Matthew 17:24-27 — Accommodation to Avoid Offense
JESUS PAID THE TEMPLE SUPPORT TAX TO AVOID OFFENSE DESPITE BEING THE LEGITIMATE FOCUS OF TEMPLE WORSHIP
Matthew 17:22-23 — Jesus’ Second Prophecy of His Passion and Resurrection
REPEATING THE PROPHECY OF HIS CENTRAL MISSION STILL DOES NOT COMPUTE WITH JESUS’ SAD DISCIPLES
Matthew 17:1-13 — The Transfiguration — Suffering is the Path to Glory
THE TRANSFIGURATION UNCOVERED THE GLORY OF MESSIAH TO PROVIDE A PREVIEW OF THE COMING KINGDOM
Matthew 16:21-28 — The Passion of the Messiah and the Price of Discipleship
THERE IS NO AVOIDING THE CROSS – EITHER FOR JESUS OR FOR HIS DISCIPLES
Matthew 16:13-20 — The Confession of Peter Regarding the Identity of Jesus
THE FOUNDATION OF THE UNSTOPPABLE CHURCH IS THE APOSTLES (AS REPRESENTED BY PETER) WHO EMBRACED THE TRUE IDENTITY OF JESUS AND WERE DELEGATED AUTHORITY TO ENFORCE HIS TEACHING
Matthew 16:1-12 — The Signs of the Time and the Leaven of False Teaching
BE AWARE OF THE SIGNS OF THE TIME AND BE WARY OF FALSE TEACHING
Matthew 15:32-39 — The Feeding of the 4,000 — Extension of Messianic Provision to the Gentiles
COMPASSION AND PROVISION SHOWN TO THE GENTILES BY THE MESSIAH CONTRASTED WITH THE DISMISSIVE ATTITUDE OF THE DISCIPLES
Matthew 15:21-31 — Compassion Extended to Gentiles: Mega Faith Rewarded and Healings on the Hill
MERCY EXTENDED TO THE GENTILES DESPITE JESUS FOCUSING ON THE PRIORITY OF HIS MISSION TO THE JEWS
Matthew 15:1-20 — Defilement Is a Heart Issue
DON’T SUBSTITUTE RELIGIOUS TRADITION EMPHASIZING CEREMONIAL CLEANLINESS FOR DIVINE COMMANDMENTS EMPHASIZING INTERNAL PURITY
Matthew 14:22-36 — Walking on Water — Growing Insight into the Identity of Jesus
FAITH FOCUSES ON THE DIVINE IDENTITY OF JESUS WHO HAS POWER OVER CREATION AND RESCUES THOSE WHO CALL OUT TO HIM