When Jesus miraculously fed the 5000, the disciples were at a loss. They told Jesus to send them all home because there was no food. But Jesus said to feed them anyway. They didn't have the faith to expect that Jesus would make it happen. This concept is critical when it comes to loving others like Jesus loved us.  Without faith, we can't do it.  So, in this episode, we discuss using your faith to help you in following the new commandment to love one another.

Jesus chose the crooked tax collector to be one of the 12 Disciples. This is one of Jesus' strongest statements on the value He sees in even the worst of humankind.  He demonstrates that there is hope for everyone.  Any of us can turn our life around if we accept His invitation.  And, as Christ followers, we can love like Jesus by "Finding Matthews" of today, and taking a chance on them.  Are you up to the challenge?

Most of us learned the golden rule at a young age. How well we executed it is probably another story for most of us. Not easy.  In this episode, Scott and Christian get into some detail on the Golden Rule in the context that Jesus taught it, and how it should be a primary tool to help us all love others the way that Jesus loves us.   Be sure and subscribe, rate us, and leave a comment.  As we pursue our mission to make a difference in our politically divided world, your help is needed.  Those simple 3 actions will go a long way.  Thanks!!

As we seek to learn our 52 ways to love one another (like Jesus) this year, we are more and more optimistic this study will result in powerful impacts! In this episode, Scott and Christian explore Matthew 7, where Jesus tells us to remove the log in our eye so we can see clearly, before we try and remove the speck in our friend’s eye.  Good advice.  Christians are often viewed as hypocrites, and Jesus knew that would be the case, so he is teaching us how NOT to be a hypocrite. Do this, and you will be one step closer to loving like Jesus!

As we consider how we could be helping to unite our divided world as Christ followers, we have to bring forgiveness into the picture. He even said if we don't forgive our brother or sister, God the Father won't forgive us.  He makes a huge point here, and he does it immediately after he gives us the Lord's Prayer.  He could have commented on ANYTHING right after he taught us to pray.  And He chose to emphasize forgiveness.  WHY?  Listen and find out.

Most of us are familiar with what Jesus said about turning the other cheek.  Did He really mean it?  Are Christians supposed to let others beat us up?  Of course not.  But, we are supposed to change our hearts away from the ”eye for an eye” vengeance mentality, and move toward a more understanding, gentle, and kind heart.  In this episode, Scott and Christian break this down and will help you think through how you can use this teaching (still from the Sermon on the Mount) to better love one another like Jesus loved us.   Please give us a review on your podcast app, and leave a comment on the YouTube video.  It will help tremendously as we try to build an audience for this podcast.

Most of us recall in Matthew 5 where Jesus raises the bar of sin by saying it isn’t just murder that is sin, it is being angry with someone, or cursing them.  He does the same thing with adultery!  His point is that his new commandment of love is much easier to understand, but much harder to execute.  But, that is the example he set for us, and told us to follow...and replicate.   So, as we try to love one another like Jesus, our job isn’t as easy as avoiding committing murder or adultrey, our job is to not let anger get the best of us against someone. And, not to look lustfully at another person. You get the idea.  If you want to love like Jesus, it isn’t easy, but it is so valuable in so many ways!

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus does a great "professor" impression as he brilliantly teaches us characteristics that will be honored by God. You got it, the Beatitudes.  Themes such as humility, mercy, and peacemaking jump out as challenges Jesus lays out for us to strive for in the face of opposition.  He lays out how we should treat people, even in the face of persecution.  Not easy, but so important.

In this beautiful moment where Jesus has an innumerable number of people from all over the place coming to him for healing, Matthew tells us that he healed them all.  What an act of love.  He gave them his time and abilities, even the people who were definitely NOT Godly people. He just loved them. Plain. As. That.

In week 1 of "52 Ways", Scott and Christian examine the first example Jesus set for us on how to love one another.  Matthew 4 tells us how Jesus went about choosing His ministry team.  He chose common fishermen to do the work that would change the world.  What can we learn from that?  Listen and see!!