| • The names of the 12 apostles | |
| • Matthew's profession as a tax collector and its significance in Jesus' day | |
| • The disdain towards tax collectors among the Jewish people due to their association with Roman oppression and profiteering | |
| • A scene from the TV show "The Chosen" depicting Jesus calling Matthew, highlighting Peter's reaction and Jesus' words about being "used to different" | |
| • Historical context of taxation in Israel under Roman occupation | |
| • Jesus called both a tax collector (Matthew) and a zealot (Simon) as his disciples, showing radical love and diversity | |
| • The selection of these two men was unusual and would have caused internal friction among the disciples | |
| • Peter asks Jesus how he can bring enemies together, citing Jesus' own words about a kingdom divided against itself | |
| • Jesus' call to both tax collectors and zealots reflects the same paradox in modern society, where people exclude others who don't agree with them | |
| • Jesus' message is relevant today, as our world becomes more divisive due to party politics and a tendency to only associate with those who share similar views | |
| • Criticism of current politics, where parties are portrayed as evil | |
| • Impact of social media on division and polarization | |
| • How social media platforms profit from controversy and addiction | |
| • Dehumanization of people based on single beliefs or opinions | |
| • Importance of face-to-face relationships and empathy in building common ground | |
| • Exclusion and judgment vs acceptance and compassion | |
| • Jesus' call to Simon the Zealot and Matthew the tax collector | |
| • The power of an encounter with Jesus Christ | |
| • Transformation from zealots who judge and divide to zealots for God's kingdom who show radical love for all people | |
| • Examples of transformation in Paul's story and the lives of the disciples | |
| • Discussion of Paul's transformation from a zealous persecutor of Christians to a devoted follower of Jesus Christ | |
| • Paul's powerful encounter with God on the road to Damascus and its impact on his life | |
| • Paul's writings to the Philippians about the encounter and how it affected him | |
| • Paul's comparison of his former self as a Pharisee and law-abiding Jew, versus his current life as one who has lost all things for Christ | |
| • Paul's emphasis on the importance of faith in Christ over human righteousness or laws | |
| • The impact of this transformation on Paul's relationships with others, as seen in Ephesians. | |
| • The unity of the church, with one body, one Spirit, and one God | |
| • The transformation of Paul's heart through God's work in his life | |
| • The call to radical love for all people, including enemies | |
| • Confronting divisiveness and exclusivity with God's love | |
| • Empowerment to see the humanity and image of God in others | |
| • Jesus emphasizes the importance of judgment being left in His hands | |
| • The dangers of judging others and wanting to sit in a seat of judgment ourselves | |
| • The need for superhuman self-control, patience, kindness, gentleness, and love | |
| • The fruit of the Spirit comes through relationship with Jesus | |
| • God's love is only fully realized when we are in deep relationship with Him | |
| • Jesus' example of loving His enemies and bridging the gap between us and God | |
| • Growing in relationship with Jesus empowers us to bridge gaps with others, exemplify Him, and promote flourishing. | |
| • The importance of turning off distractions and engaging with God | |
| • Seeking a relationship with God through prayer and faith | |
| • The power of the Lord's Supper as a means of encountering Jesus | |
| • Jesus' invitation to His table to break bread and establish a relationship | |
| • The author's personal experience of feeling like God is "winking" at them during sermon preparation | |
| • Psalm 23 and its meaning | |
| • Vindictive vs reconciled relationships | |
| • The power of God's love to overcome brokenness | |
| • The Last Supper with Jesus as a picture of God's peace | |
| • Breaking bread with enemies as a sign of God's work in us | |
| • God's peace transcending all understanding | |
| • The power of God's love to reconcile broken relationships and bring peace | |
| • The idea that reconciliation is a ministry empowered by the Holy Spirit | |
| • The importance of peacemaking and being called children of heaven | |
| • Inviting others who may be considered enemies or opposites to join in fellowship | |
| • Praying for God's radical love to work through His Spirit, beyond human capacity | |
| • Asking God to encounter us in new ways and empower us with love to engage with others | |
| • Seeking to be a testimony of God's love and power | |
| • Asking for God's presence on a journey or process | |
| • Requesting the filling of the Holy Spirit to overcome challenges | |
| • Praying for spiritual growth and manifestation of the Spirit's fruits |