Archippus Awakening Kingdom101

When products or services are put on trial, it’s called a pilot project. In Matthew 27:11-26, Jesus was put on trial before Pilate – a ‘Pilate’ Project, a test case of how the kingdom works, what it is about. Or as we shall learn from Jesus, what it is NOT about. Great applications for our kingdom assignments.

Regrets we all have. Some smaller. Some bigger. Others major. Like Judas, in Matthew 27:1-10. It began with regret but ended tragically. Thankfully, there is a better way. We can learn how to deal with regret by knowing what regrets beget.

Mountain top experiences are great. But what happens when you hit rock bottom? Like Peter in Matthew 26:69-75 after he denied Jesus three times. Are there lessons we can learn from Peter’s lowest point? Henson draws from Peter’s rock bottom experience and shares implications for all disciples of Jesus Christ.

Truth on trial. That’s what Matthew 26:57-68 is about. Will the Truth stand against all that is false? In the midst of gross darkness, will the Light still shine? When the Lamb is put on the stand? Learning from Jesus, Henson shares a few truths about truth and three points for application.

Matthew 26:47-56 is packed with so many things happening with so many moving parts – betrayal, arrest, retaliation, abandonment. Each one did what they knew best to do to take charge, to be in control … “I’ve got this!” Yet, only One could truly say, “I’ve got this.” Learning from Jesus, Henson draws 7 observations and reminders from this account.

When told to ‘press on’, we grit our teeth, brace ourselves and push forward with all our might. Not wrong. But there’s more. In Matthew 26:36-46, Jesus shows us how He pressed on by turning His prayers on and overcame the three temptations that we are all familiar with when moving on kingdom assignment.

No one intends to fail – especially not in our walk with Jesus. But what happens if or when we do? In Matthew 26:31-35, Peter and the disciples were about to fail. Big time. Not that they intended to; yet they did. In this teaching, Henson shares 6 observations we can learn from such unintended failings.

We are familiar with the Lord’s Supper. However, familiar does not necessarily mean we fully appreciate what this supper is all about. What exactly is it? What does it mean to and for us? Let’s learn from Jesus when He instituted the Lord’s Supper at the Passover meal in Matthew 26:26-30.

Everyone enjoys a good party, right? That depends if every party at the party wants to be party to the purposes of that party. If not, that person would just kill the mood and spoil the fun. What a party pooper! And that was what happened with Jesus and His party of twelve at the Passover Party in Matthew 26:17–25.

As a disciple, leaving all to follow Jesus, Judas was sold out for the King and the causes of the kingdom. Who would have thought that Jesus would finally be sold out by one initially sold out for Him? How does one start out sold out only to end up selling out? Through Matthew 26:14-16, we will learn about Judas: the man, the motive, the price and the prophetic point.

In Matthew 26:6-13, when the woman broke the alabaster jar and anointed Jesus, those present were indignant, resentful, grieved, vexed, very upset, extremely angry. We could say that it jarred them rather deeply. How would you have responded?

Something was cooking in the plots and plans of the religious leaders and it sure didn’t look good for Jesus. In Matthew 26:1-5, the Son of Man would be served a curved ball. He saw it coming, yet stepped up to the plate and moved purposefully on His kingdom assignment. Would you?

Jesus’ final teaching about the separation of the sheep and the goats is easy to read but not quite as easy to understand or to accept. Henson tackles some tough questions in Matthew 25:31-46. Who are the nations? Who are the brethren? Who are the ones being separated? Who is Jesus really referring to?

We know we have to wait for Jesus’ return. But what do we do while waiting? Through the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus provides what might be the clearest directions on how to be ready and prepared. Let those who have ears hear what Jesus is looking for when He returns to settle accounts. May we be found not just desiring but truly deserving of the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

Many have tried to decipher the Parable of the 10 Virgins, applying different interpretations and attaching different meanings to the elements of this parable. What if that was not Jesus' intent at all? And it is really much simpler than what we make it out to be? That said, simple does not mean easy. Henson notes five reminders and draws five pertinent implications from five wise and five foolish virgins.

So much has been said about the return of Jesus. What do all these mean to you? Is it all just nice-to-know information to you? Or do you have a Return Mindset – a mind set on the return of Jesus? Drawing from the parable in Matthew 24:45-51, Henson shares four reasons why having such a mindset is absolutely critical.

In Matthew 24:36-44, when Jesus said that “no one knows”, what exactly did He mean? Although clearly communicated, this has caused considerable confusion within the Body of Christ. For some, it’s a closed case. For others, it’s a clue. Careful. That in end-time discussions about knowing or not knowing, we do not end up missing what all must know.

In Matthew 24:32-36, Jesus wraps up His reply with a statement about summer. More accurately, how to know when summer is approaching. Or shall we say … when it gets sort of summery? Guess that makes the parable of the fig tree a summary statement.

Christians generally agree that Jesus is coming back. But not everyone holds the same view of how the events leading up to His return may unfold. Or when. There are just so many different interpretations, theories and positions. Take heart. There is no need to be distracted, confused or fearful. In Matthew 24:15-31, Jesus shows us what we should be looking out for.

When it comes to the topic of the end times – eschatology – Matthew 24:3-14 is one of the go-to passages, as well as the proof text, that Jesus is coming very soon. Was that the Lord’s intent? Context will reveal that the emphasis is more on what to expect while expecting His return. And what Jesus expects of all who are expecting. Henson reviews the eschatological setting and what is expected of disciples as we expect the end.