Religion

Matthew 11:20 “Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent.”

XENIA — Christ Episcopal Church Xenia is hosting a Jazz Vespers concert at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 1.

Psalm 89:15 states “How blessed are the people who know the sound of the blast!” Tucked into this rather lengthy psalm appears a quick encouragement for any of those who understand what it means to hear a trumpet blast. Yet, this is not the random, meaningless wailing of your neighbor’s child as he practices the trombone. From the vantage point of the psalmist, what could the “blast” mean?

“When Simon (the sorcerer) saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, ‘Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’ ” (Acts 8:18-19)

Matthew 11:7 “As these men were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?’ ”

As we continue with our survey of Jesus’ Bible, we learn another lesson from Jacob in Genesis 32:22-32. This is the famous passage of Jacob’s wrestling match with an unknown opponent as he makes his way back to the land of Canaan. Please find your Bible and read the passage before we proceed.

“When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 8:14-17)

Matthew 11:2-3 “Now when John, while imprisoned, heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to Him, ‘Are you the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?’ ”

Jesus was approached by a teacher of the law who noticed he gave good answers, and asked him about the greatest commandment. “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” he enquired.

“Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city.” (Acts 8:4-8)