Matthew 18

"Dear Beloved, I began yesterday to share with you the four Immanuel passages in the book of Matthew. Recall that Immanuel is the name given to Me in...."

It's not just forgiven, it's cancelled! Patrick Odum talks about an amazing overcharge on cigarettes and reminds us of another huge debt that has gone up in smoke.

Without forgiveness, bitterness is all that’s left! Max Lucado reminds us of the importance of forgiveness or bitterness poisons our hearts and destroys our influence.

"[Talking about being forgiving, Jesus continued,] "Therefore, the Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who decided to bring his accounts up to...."

Why do we not fight harder to stick with God's ideal? Paul reminds us of God's plan for marriage, without divorce; so let's fight to keep it.

Is it really worth the cost? Ron Rose reminds us of the need to forgive, not just because we are commanded but because we are imprisoned in bitterness when we don't.

"[Jesus continued,] "If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you..."

"[Jesus continued,] "If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and..."

"[Talking about being forgiving, Jesus continued,] "But when the man [who had been forgiven a tremendously large debt] left the king, he went to a..."

"[Talking about being forgiving, Jesus continued,] "When some of the other servants saw [that the servant who had been forgiven a tremendous debt..."

"[Jesus continued,] "I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be..."

"[After being asked who is greatest in the Kingdom,] Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, "I tell you the..."

"If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search..."

"Dear Beloved, Occasionally in an earthly family, a family member can lose his or her way. That person's behavior can become bizarre, erratic,..."

For God so loved us that he came to our world as a child. Phil Ware reminds us of the divine titles for Jesus in Matthew 1 and then drives home the point that this divine Christ, Messiah, Son of God, Immanuel, God with us, came to us as the child, Jesus.

Living My Mission Under Social Distancing Phil Ware opens the New Testament and reminds of a great way to live out our mission while under social distancing, prayer because prayer has always been a virtual way of blessing others.

We were not made to do this discipleship thing alone. Phil Ware continues his series on experiencing God through Jesus, Immanuel, this time focusing upon our need for spiritual community, family, fellowship.

Does community like this actually exist? Phil Ware looks at Matthew 18 and radical community in our churches.

"Then Peter came to [Jesus] and asked, "Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?" "No, not seven times," Jesus..."

"[Jesus continued,] "But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone...."

"[Jesus continued,] "So if your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It's better to enter eternal life with only one hand or....."

"[Talking about being forgiving, Jesus continued,] "Then the angry king sent the man [who had been forgiven a great debt but hadn't forgiven a much..."

What do you do when things fracture between you and someone important to you? Phil Ware talks about what to do when relationships are shattered and how it feels easier to trade in those relationships for new ones, but asks if this is really smartest and if it honors Christ and our walk with God.

Do you see yourself in the story? We can know we are saved by putting ourselves in the story of God's great deliverance.

So how do we get real about the church? Phil Ware continues his series from Matthew on God's presence in Jesus and this week talks about church as family, not community.

"[Jesus continued,] "And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.""

"[Jesus continued,] "Beware that you don't look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence..."

"“I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whatever you bind [forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth shall have [already] been bound....."

"[Jesus continued,] "If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you..."

"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over."

""For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.""

"For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

"Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

"If your hand or your foot causes you to sin cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two..."

"About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?""

Whoever welcomes a child like this in my name welcomes me. - Matthew 18:5

Christ ecard of Matthew 18:10: Don't look down on these little ones. Therir angels always see the face of my father in heaven.

Inspirational illustration of Matthew 18:20 -- For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.

Inspirational illustration of Matthew 18:15 --

Inspirational illustration of Matthew 18:3 - Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

How can we do this? How can we not? Phil Ware gives his applications on the seven sayings of Jesus from the cross for today's world and Jesus' followers.

How much do you value small things? Tom Norvell reminds us of the importance of small things and to not get so hung up on big things.

"Dear Precious Disciple, Today, I hope you realize that everything is different because of what we celebrated together yesterday. Resurrection Sunday...."

What do you go to church to do? We need to remember that when we assemble, God joins us and it is a holy moment.

Is he in there for you? You can't take Christ out of Christmas even if you try.

Are you ready to grow and be changed? Change comes from following the principles in the good ol' Bible given to us by God!

What have children said to you lately? Ron Rose shares a precious story about a granddaughter who had such faith in the middle of her surgery and the surgeon who was asked to find Jesus.

Why do we put it off and then forget? Mike learns to not put off prayer, but when someone has a need, he says, "Let's pray right now!"

Now this is what it means to care like family! Rubel Shelly tells a story about a granddaughter named Avery who shared her grandpa with a little boy alone on grandparents' day at her school.

We covet your prayers, comments, and suggestions as we begin what we hope will be a blessing to Jesus' people. This is an introduction and explanation of the purpose of ToGather!

Have you seen the Lord lately? When Christians gather together for worship and fellowship, it is a holy moment.

So there are actually rules for this? Rubel Shelly reminds us of the keys to following Jesus by pulling our leg about a bunch of rules for building a snowman.

When was the last time you seriously entertained a new thought or considered a new idea? Rubel Shelly challenges us to entertain new thoughts and consider fresh ideas and be willing to make new changes.

My own lack of forgiveness toward others can shut off the flow of God's forgiveness to me. Phil Ware with Grady King give us insight on Jesus' example and command to forgive others as we pray for our own forgiveness.

Why do we settle for so much less of Jesus than He promised us? Phil Ware finishes up his 5 part series on experiencing Immanuel and summarizes the content of the four previous articles.

Do we feel like we have to keep up some kind of smokescreen so others won't know about our own times of emptiness and longing? Phil Ware shares a summary of Matthew's Immanuel sayings focused on experiencing Jesus today.

So how can I read the gospels as more than just daily Bible reading I check off my to-do list? Phil Ware begins a series of articles on the Immanuel Sayings in Matthew and this is done in coordination with Interim Ministry Partners and focuses on experiencing Jesus, or Immanuel.

Can you see the real world as clearly as a child? Kids often know the difference between truth and lie and what is real world and what is not.

Does it ever feel like that we've reduced Christianity down to something less than Jesus wants us to experience? Phil Ware challenges our settled notions about church in the box and wants us to realize that Jesus has so much more in store for us if we will make the moves necessary to experience Jesus and his story for ourselves.

Who can help your daughter when you can't be around? Phil Ware shares a memory from over ten years ago about his daughter and an angel.

Will anybody intervene? Will I intervene? We must learn to intervene to help children in our world.

What can you learn after you know it all? Rubel Shelly reminds us through the words of Coach John Wooden that "What really counts in life is what you learn after you know it all."

"Dear Beloved, The early Christians were greatly encouraged by Luke's account of two disciples on the road to Emmaus. I joined those two disciples on...."

"Dear Precious Brothers and Sisters, So many of My followers struggle in their lives of discipleship because each is trying to do everything by his or..."

Are we wiling to open up the door and invite him in? Phil Ware brings to close his series on experiencing the presence of Jesus in our lives.

Where can we go to experience God? Phil Ware shares the principles of drawing nearer to God and experiencing him as Immanuel.

Where do you best connect with God? Phil Ware continues his series on experiencing God and focuses on experiencing God through Jesus in community with all of its challenges and opportunities.

Can we really expect to meet Jesus! Phil Ware continues his series on The Andrew Effect and reminds us that Jesus promised to be present with us as we live out the four moves of the Andrew Effect.

When Jesus taught on prayer in the Sermon on the Mount, he shifted from individual prayer in private to prayer shared with others Phil Ware, with the help of Grady King, reminds us that prayer is a together experience in much of experience and God calls us to share this experience together, then Grady King gives us some added insight and an exercise to help us through the next week.

I wish I could be as innocent and trusting as a child. Jesus makes it possible to once again have the purity and innocence of a child.

We were not made to do life alone. This is a collection of "one another" passages in the New Testament, and primarily from Paul, that speaks about life together.

Many feel as if they are caught in some kind of auto-repeating Groundhog Day experience with COVID-19. Phil Ware and James Nored speak to the isolation pandemic accompanying COVID-19 and share ways and invite us to share ways to find joy and hope on the mountain with Immanuel.

Resurrection Sunday's ToGather is now ready and you are invited to join us! Saturday invitation and link for this Sunday's ToGather.church

This Sunday's ToGather is now ready and you are invited to join us! Saturday link for this Sunday's ToGather.church

Let's not settle for religion, going to church, or fast-food spirituality when God longs to fill that hole in our soul ! Phil Ware shares insights about intimately knowing God and Immanuel being real to us in our daily lives as we seek to be Jesus' disciples.

My prayers for others mean much more to them when they know what I have prayed for them! Phil Ware shares some practical ideas on how to stay on mission even while practicing social distancing.

Can we really expect to meet Jesus? The sad reality is that many folks give up on meeting and experiencing Jesus, personally. Phil Ware invites into the "Andrew Effect" and reminds us that Jesus promised to be present with us as we live out the four moves of Phil calls the Andrew Effect

Do I really have to go to church? Phil Ware challenges us to think about how we view church and asks how we can make it a gathering of people committed to the Kingdom of God.

Let’s be witnesses with those here, near, and far (Acts 1:8) like the first followers of Jesus did! Phil Ware continues his short series on Acts 1:1-11 and focuses today on being witnesses of the great things Jesus has done.

Is your thinking stuck in a rut? Tom Norvell reflects on Apple founder Steve Job's retirement and reminds us to think differently.

Let's be witnesses with those here, near, and far like the first followers of Jesus did! Phil Ware continues his short series on Acts 1:1-11 called Phil Ware continues his series called 8GT -- Eight Truths that Turned the World Upside Down -- and focuses on finding those seeking Jesus and being witnesses to them of the great things Jesus has

Can I really know Jesus? Phil Ware continues his series on The Andrew Effect focused on connecting others with Jesus as our life's mission.

What do you see around you? God has his protection for us all around us if we will only ask for eyes to see.

When was the last time you stared in the face of the Lord? Phil Ware continues his five part series on yearning for the presence of God and shares with us ways to experience Immanuel, Jesus as God with us.

How do you feel about new things? Being unwilling to learn new things is a key to failure and an arrogance based in false pride and stubborn prejudice.

We all need to discover that Jesus is not just alive and interceding for us at the right hand of God, but he is also present with us now as our resurrected Lord, Savior, and friend. Phil Ware shares how we can experience Jesus in our lives based on Jesus' promises and Matthew's story of Jesus in his Gospel.

How could I feel at home so far away from home? Phil Ware looks at Romans 15:7 and shares an experience from Thailand about feeling accepted and connected to people very different from himself.