This reflection on Matthew 10 explores Jesus’ commissioning of the twelve apostles, emphasizing their ordinary backgrounds and the authority He grants them. It discusses the importance of meeting people’s physical needs alongside spiritual outreach, the challenges of ministry, and the necessity of trusting God’s provision while maintaining peace and resilience in the face of rejection.

In Matthew 9, Jesus heals a paralytic, demonstrating His authority to forgive sins, which challenges the scribes’ beliefs. He then calls Matthew, a tax collector, highlighting His mission to reach sinners. These actions reveal Jesus’ divine identity and His commitment to addressing both spiritual and physical needs.

This reflection on Matthew 8 explores Jesus’ compassionate healing of a leper, emphasizing His willingness to transcend societal norms by touching the marginalized. It highlights the immediate nature of the healing and discusses Jesus’ instruction for discretion to prevent misunderstandings about His mission. The piece underscores the profound impact of Jesus’ actions on both the individual and the broader community.

This reflection on Matthew 7 emphasizes self-examination before judging others, highlighting the importance of addressing one’s own faults to gain moral authority. It underscores God’s responsiveness to sincere requests aligned with His will and warns against false prophets, advocating for discernment based on their actions. The piece concludes by stressing the necessity of not only hearing but also acting upon Jesus’ teachings to build a solid foundation of faith.

The article examines the Local Church Conference as outlined in The Discipline of The Wesleyan Church 2022, highlighting its role as the primary governing body of local congregations. It emphasizes the importance of member participation in maintaining balanced authority and accountability within the church’s presbyterian-like structure. The author expresses concern over declining member involvement, noting that decreased attendance at Local Church Conference meetings can lead to an imbalance of power, favoring clergy over laity. This shift may reduce lay ownership of the church’s mission and vision, potentially impacting overall church health and effectiveness.