Mike Henry Sr.'s Blog, page 22

Minimum Standards – Matthew 5:20

How good do we have to be to get to heaven?

“For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:20 ESV

The minimum standard to enter heaven seems like a pretty high bar in this passage. What did Jesus mean and what hope exists for us?

Yesterday, we talked about the consequences of not keeping the whole law.

Continue reading Minimum Standards – Matthew 5:20 at Follower Of One.

Jesus Fulfills the Law – Matthew 5:17

What difference does the Law make now that we follow Jesus?  Why did Jesus say he came to fulfill the Law rather than to abolish it?

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” Matthew 5:17 ESV

What do you think happens when the Law and the Prophets are fulfilled? Jesus says it in the next verse, “not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.”

In just a few verses, in the same talk, Jesus says we should cut off our hand rather than be thrown into hell.

Continue reading Jesus Fulfills the Law – Matthew 5:17 at Follower Of One.

Appreciating the Gold in Others with Deb Brown Maher, Ep #140

In this episode, Mike and John talk about integrating your faith at work, the creation and impact of Every Student Sent, transitioning college students to the workplace, using your Christian influence to impact where you work, and the importance of Christian communities.

Continue reading Appreciating the Gold in Others with Deb Brown Maher, Ep #140 at Follower Of One.

Serving Like Jesus Did – John 20:21

Why do we think following Jesus will be easy?

“So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” John 20:21 NASB

Notice that Jesus says, As the Father sent me, so I send You. What do we see when we consider the phrase “as the Father sent me”?

I came across this verse when I was recording the podcast series on 2 Corinthians 6:1-12.

Continue reading Serving Like Jesus Did – John 20:21 at Follower Of One.

Where To Go For Safety – Nahum 1:7

When you’re worried about something, where do you go? To whom do you turn?

“The Lord is good, a stronghold in a day of distress; he cares for those who take refuge in him.” Nahum 1:7 CSB

Do you ever feel like you’re in danger? Do you ever feel alone, or isolated?

Nahum spoke to the Jewish people, probably the southern kingdom, about 100 years after Jonah. Many years before this Nineveh captured the northern kingdom and they’re now about to fall to the Babylonians.

Continue reading Where To Go For Safety – Nahum 1:7 at Follower Of One.

Sharing the Message of the Cross

Sharing the good news is always in order, but there is something truly special about the time of year when we celebrate what the death of Jesus means for our lives. That’s right: I’m talking about Resurrection season, specifically Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. 

While many get caught up on Easter eggs and cute bunnies (and let’s be honest, they are so cute), followers of Christ deeply reflect on the great sacrifice that bought our salvation, and our decision to authentically walk out our faith is renewed.

Continue reading Sharing the Message of the Cross at Follower Of One.

Wisdom is Light for Marketplace Faith – Ecclesiastes 2:13

Do you consider yourself wise?

“And I saw that wisdom excels folly as light excels darkness.” Ecclesiastes 2:13 NASB

Every day, you need wisdom. Wisdom is applied knowledge or the ability to skillfully apply knowledge. Many of us believe in Jesus. But we need wisdom or our faith won’t make much difference in the day-to-day of our workplace.

The CSB says, “there is an advantage to wisdom over folly like the advantage of light over darkness.” The existence of light means the absence of darkness.

Continue reading Wisdom is Light for Marketplace Faith – Ecclesiastes 2:13 at Follower Of One.

Seeking the Benefit of Others – 1 Corinthians 10:33

How often would you say your motives are purely for another person’s benefit?

“Just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved.” 1 Corinthians 10:33

I spoke about the verse before this in Episode 784 Give No Offense, but I skipped to the next chapter in the next episode and never talked about this verse.

Continue reading Seeking the Benefit of Others – 1 Corinthians 10:33 at Follower Of One.

The Demand for Perfection – Matthew 5:48

Does Jesus expect us to be perfect?

“You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:48.

Jesus seems to be summing up one section of his sermon and moving to another. This could be a great transition verse. In most of chapter 5, he’s been blowing up the ideas of the past and the way the Jews think. He’s making the point that perfection is the standard.

Continue reading The Demand for Perfection – Matthew 5:48 at Follower Of One.

5 Dimensions of Discipleship with Dr. Charlie Self, Ep #139

In 2011, Dr. Self Charlie Self asked the question, “What does a healthy Christian look like 24/7? Can we measure that?” Dr. Self and colleagues Johan Mostert, and Jame Bolds set out to figure out ways to articulate wholeness in Christ to help Christians grow in both their strengths and weaknesses. 

In 2013, they published an assessment tool to allow individuals to answer questions and receive a personal report.

Continue reading 5 Dimensions of Discipleship with Dr. Charlie Self, Ep #139 at Follower Of One.