Author: Texas Gospel

The Book of Matthew

Who besides Jesus is greater than the greatest?

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Floyd Rogers – Texas Gospel Volunteer, Christian writer

Matthew 11:7-19 NASB:  7 As these disciples of John were going away, Jesus began speaking to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ palaces! 9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written: ‘Behold, I am sending My messenger ahead of You, Who will prepare Your way before You.’ 11 Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has been treated violently, and violent men take it by force. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come. 15 The one who has ears to hear, let him hear. 16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call out to the other children, 17 and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a song of mourning, and you did not mourn.’ 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a heavy drinker, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ And yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”  

The 11th Chapter of Matthew tells us that while John was in prison, he sent his disciples to Jesus to ask if Jesus is the one, or if there would be another. I think Matthew wrote about this encounter to explain the nature of God’s kingdom.  Let’s look at Jesus’ answer and what can be inferred from it.

“What did you go out into the wilderness to see?” Jesus asked as he began to tell them that John is, “…more than a prophet.” 

Jesus began by making it clear that John is the real deal. He is the greatest born among women.  But he went on to say the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John!  There is a kingdom of Heaven where all are greater than those who have not yet entered.  But what is The Kingdom of Heaven?

Matthew mentions the Kingdom of Heaven 32 times. Other Gospel writers use the phrase, “Kingdom of God,” exclusively. Matthew, who is writing to a Jewish audience, is the only Gospel writer who uses, “Kingdom of Heaven.” He is writing to a Jewish audience to convince them that the Kingdom of Heaven (God’s kingdom) is near but has not yet arrived.  When one considers John’s question, it seems it was not clear to the Jewish community if Messiah would bring a kingdom on earth or if God’s kingdom was in Heaven.   But Jesus told the crowd who heard John’s question that the least in the kingdom of heaven, which is near, is greater than even John!

Our home is not here. I think Matthew 11:16-19 lets us know that while on earth (this generation,) we can expect some to ignore the importance of the gospel or even mock it. We can expect some to falsely accuse those who deliver the Gospel. But these things are nothing compared to eternity.  Who besides Jesus is greater than the greatest? Isn’t the answer, the least of the Kingdom of Heaven?

What are your thoughts?

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The Down East Boys’ EP,There’s A Song For That, out now

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CROSSROADS RECORDS

Arden, North Carolina (April 21, 2023) — The Down East Boys broke new ground for Southern Gospel in January with the release of “Celebration At The Empty Grave,” the first song from Sonlite Records to be presented in the immersive spatial audio of Dolby Atmos. Now, the quartet is releasing There’s A Song For That, a six-song EP that touches on a variety of themes even as it focuses on the unique ability of music to reach hearts with Christ’s message of salvation.

The collection loses no time in getting to the point, open with lead singer Ricky Carden’s delivery of the title track, a country-flavored look at the power of Gospel songs:

When it feels like the enemy steals your victory 
Remember in your heart there rings a melody

If you’re down, you can sing a chorus of “love lifted me”
And if you’re bound, sing “glory to God, He set me free”
No matter what you’re facing, what kind of day you’ve had
There’s a song for that

And, indeed, the rest of the set offers just such songs, whether in the majestic ballad, “Love Worth Dying For,” which features glistening orchestration, sympathetic piano from GRAMMY-nominated producer Jeff Collins and a soulful performance by tenor Doug Pittman, or in the similarly full-bodied closer, “Until He Comes,” a Dottie Rambo classic that contrasts Carden’s and Pittman’s voices in a meditation on perseverance, hope and the assurance of God’s grace. And with “The Song Of The Redeemed,” a snappy reminder that there’s a “song of freedom for all that will believe” sung by the full quartet, and the thoughtful “Song About Going Home,” where central insights are shared by Pittman, bass Alex Utech and baritone Daryl Paschal, the deep truth of the title is fully revealed:

Just imagine the sound
In that glorious place
As the saints are singing
To Jesus face to face

There are anthems being lifted
Around the Savior’s throne
But the one song you won’t hear
Is a song about going home

From start to finish, then, There’s A Song For That amply fulfills the vision described by Ricky Carden, who says, “Songs have always had a way of lifting our hearts on the tough days and helping us rejoice on good days. This project reminds us that in every day of our lives, no matter where we are, ‘There’s a song for that!'”

Listen to There’s A Song For That HERE.

About Down East Boys
For more than 30 years, the Down East Boys quartet has traveled from coast to coast, Canada and Mexico. Starting in eastern North Carolina the group chose the name from that region called Down East, but quickly expanded its ministry and has now recorded more than 20 projects and has had more than 40 songs reach the top of the Singing News charts. The Down East Boys features lead singer Ricky Carden, baritone singer Cayden Howell, bass singer Alex Utech and tenor singer Doug Pittman, who each bring a richness to the group’s music and have been noted by industry leaders and singers as some of the best. The Down East Boys have been afforded many great accolades to their credit. Three songs — “Beat Up Bible,” “Testimony Time” and “I’d Like To Tell It Again” — from their album, One Day In The Past, reached the No 1. position on the Singing News Chart, and “Amazing Amounts of Amazing Grace” from their most recent album, Faithful Still, also made the top spot. From performing with many evangelists through the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, singing at Southern Baptist State Conventions and Evangelism conferences all over the country, to all the awards and nominations and the hit songs, nothing changes the goal of this group and that is to share the gospel of Jesus unto all the world.

Heaven’s Mountain Band continues to top Bluegrass Gospel chart

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SPECIAL FAMILY MUSIC GROUP

Nashville, TN (April 18, 2023) Family Music Group and the FMG Bluegrass label would like to congratulate multi-award-winning, Heaven’s Mountain Band for their #1 song, “Better Times,” on both the Singing News Bluegrass and the SGN Bluegrass charts!

“Better Times,” is the title track of Heaven’s Mountain Band’s latest album, written by group patriarch, Roger Johnson. The song tugs on the heartstrings and gives the listener a glimpse into yesterday, reminding them of our Godly heritage.

Heaven’s Mountain Band is no stranger to radio or to the music industry. In their 37 years of ministry, they have established themselves as one of Bluegrass Gospel’s top groups. They have garnered ten consecutive Singing News #1 songs, multiple Singing News Fan Award Nominations, and have been featured in many prestigious venues like Shadow Valley, Hominy Valley, and Dollywood.

This charting news came at the same time as the Johnson Family and Heaven’s Mountain Band were celebrating the homegoing of Roger’s wife and group matriarch, Debbie Johnson. So, the news was bitter-sweet, yet fitting. Debbie left this world, with success in the world’s eyes, but entered Heaven with the REAL success of meeting Jesus, her Savior!

For more information on Heaven’s Mountain Band, visit them online at: heavensmountainband.net

Dr. Charles Stanley dies at 90

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STAFF

Texas Gospel Canada has learned of the death of Dr. Charles Stanley, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Atlanta and host of In Touch.

A message on the ministrie’s website says, “We are saddened to share that our beloved pastor, Dr. Charles Stanley, has passed away. We are forever idebted to him for his Godly example, biblical teaching, and devotion to the gospel. Please join us in prayer for the Stanley Family.

Charles Stanley was 90.

Here is a link to Dr. Stanley’s obituary.

The Book of Matthew

How do you respond when your faith is questioned?

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Floyd Rogers – Texas Gospel Volunteer, Christian writer

Matthew 11:1-6 NASB: When Jesus had finished giving instructions to His twelve disciples, He went on from there to teach and preach in their cities. 2 Now while in prison, John heard about the works of Christ, and he sent word by his disciples, 3 and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or are we to look for someone else?” 4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: 5 those who are blind receive sight and those who limp walk, those with leprosy are cleansed and those who are deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is any person who does not take offense at Me.”  

Matthew 11:1-6 comes immediately after Jesus gave his apostles instructions as they headed out to preach to the lost sheep of the tribe of Israel.  In these verses, John is in prison and sends messengers to Jesus to ask if Jesus is the one, or if it is someone else. John is the one who baptized Jesus, but now that he is in prison for preaching the Gospel he asks if Jesus is the one!

We shouldn’t be surprised that John is in prison for preaching the Gospel. These verses follow Jesus telling his apostles they will be persecuted for delivering his message. An important lesson here is that hard times can make one question if his or her understanding of God’s word is correct. And even an Apostle of Jesus can lose faith.

Matthew told us in earlier verses  that Jesus’ disciples were in a boat with Jesus as a storm hit. Even though Jesus was in the boat with them, they lost faith until Jesus calmed the sea. Now we hear of John asking questions while he is in prison. Some say John lost faith and one could infer this from what Matthew wrote, and it would not be the first time an Apostle lost faith. But I think it’s more likely he’s questioning whether Jesus will be a military-political leader or if someone else is coming to rule on earth.  Could he be questioning his understanding of Messiah? I ask this because Matthew’s theme seems to be to convince Jewish people that Messiah will rule the Kingdom of Heaven.  He uses this phrase 32 times when other Gospel writers exclusively use the phrase Kingdom of God. I think he uses Kingdom of Heaven to drive home his point. 

My point in all this is it’s OK to ask God for faith when we have questions. It’s OK to ask God if we have it wrong. There’s no sense in being dishonest with God because he knows your thoughts whether you express them or not. The apostles in a boat, and John in prison began to have doubts.  But in both cases, they reached out to Jesus for answers rather than let any doubts they have fester. They were short sighted.  Jesus saw the whole picture which ended with his resurrection and salvation for anyone who accepts his call.

Shouldn’t our first response when doubt starts to creep in be to ask Jesus to strengthen our faith and to open our eyes to his will?

What are your thoughts?

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