Eating with Our Neighbors

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: Blessing Our Neighbors

2. Food in the Ministry of Jesus

3. Matthew Eating with Jesus

4. What We Learn from Jesus and the Pharisees

5. How to Put It into Practice This Week

1. Introduction: Blessing Our Neighbors

In the past few weeks, we’ve learned that:

• Everyone wants a friend (and Jesus was known as a friend of sinners).

• God blesses us so we can be a blessing.

• We should pray for specific people in our neighborhood or workplace.

• Jesus teaches us to pay attention to the hearts of others.

Today, I want to talk about a very special… and very tasty… strategy: Eating with someone!
If you’re like me, this might just become your favorite part of the series.

2. Food in the Ministry of Jesus

A big part of Jesus’ ministry happened around a table:

• His first miracle was at a wedding in Cana of Galilee, turning water into wine (John 2:1–11).

• He fed 5,000 people with just 5 loaves and 2 fish (Matthew 14:13–21).

• The night before His crucifixion, He shared a very special dinner with His disciples (Luke 22:14–20).

• After His resurrection, He made breakfast on the beach (John 21:9–14).

Reflection: Think about the best moments with your family and friends…
There’s almost always food involved—birthdays, Christmas, BBQs, coffee times.
The table unites, relaxes, and opens hearts.

3. Matthew 9:9–11 — Matthew Eating with Jesus

Matthew, the tax collector, was seen as a traitor. But when Jesus called him, He didn’t send him to a Bible class… Jesus went to his house to share a meal with him.

At that table were other tax collectors and sinners. The Pharisees were shocked and asked:

“Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

Matthew felt the sting of that question more than anyone else—because it was personal and it happened in his home!
They were questioning his invitation, attacking his friends, and damaging his reputation even more.

4. Matthew 9:12–13 — What We Learn from Jesus and the Pharisees

• The Pharisees wanted to obey the Law but separated themselves from people.

• Jesus sought out broken people to love them and bring them to God.

When Jesus wanted to explain His death, He didn’t give a lecture… He gave a dinner.
His table was a place of grace, forgiveness, and blessing.

We can follow His example: use food to start conversations, strengthen friendships, and show the love of God.

5. How to Put It into Practice This Week

Here are three ways to start:

1. If you don’t know what to say: Ask about their life and listen.

2. If you don’t want to invite people into your home: Invite them for coffee or dessert at a nearby café.

3. If you think you don’t have time: Remember, you always eat—just invite someone to join you.

Isaiah 55:1–2 reminds us that God gives us spiritual food.
Final question: Who will you share a coffee or dinner with this week?

God’s Authority in Man

Genesis 1:26-27 (KJV)

26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Blog Outline:

1. Satan’s Plan: Slavery and Destruction

2. God’s Purpose in His Image in Man

3. How to Recover God’s Image and Authority

Dear brothers, Happy Father’s Day!

Today I want to remind you of something glorious: God created us in His image (Genesis 1:26-27). That means you were created to carry His authority and reflect His character in your home, your work, and all of society.

But we have an enemy who wants to steal that image. Satan’s plan is intimidation, slavery, and destruction. We see it in the story of the man possessed in Gadara (Mark 5:1-5): living among tombs, isolated, and without self-control. It reminds me of people trapped in addictions or wandering the streets, who’ve lost control of their lives because the enemy enslaves them through lies and sin (John 8:34).

Brothers, we are in a spiritual battle, and if we don’t recognize it… how will we defend ourselves? Good vibes and strong coffee won’t cut it!

Why Did God Give Us His Image?

1. To rule over creation

• Adam was meant to represent God on earth.

• We have responsibilities at home, work, and church. We still need His authority to fulfill them.

2. To have self-control

• Before sin, Adam and Eve governed themselves perfectly.

• If we want to grow spiritually, we need to govern our souls again.

3. To fight against Satan

• Adam was supposed to stand up to the enemy.

• You are called to fight for yourself and your family too.

How Can We Recover His Image?

Because of original sin, the image of God in man was distorted, like those funhouse mirrors where your head looks huge and your legs are tiny. But there’s hope!

In the first Adam we lost God’s image; in the second Adam, Jesus Christ, we recover it (1 Corinthians 15:45-49). The Holy Spirit is working in us, but we need to cooperate with Him. Here are 3 practical tips:

1. Be renewed by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:4-6)

Pursue God like you pursued your wife when you were dating: with details, time, and dedication.
(I doubt you won her heart by disappearing for three days and coming back just asking for dinner, right? 😄)

2. Live according to the Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

The Bible is your life manual. It will make you wise and ready for every good work… even washing dishes with a good attitude.

3. Walk daily by faith (1 John 5:4)

Victory over the enemy is possible when you learn to use spiritual weapons. One of the most powerful is praying with your wife (Matthew 18:19-20). That’s an unstoppable team!

Fathers, God wants you to recover His image and authority to bless your family and leave a mark on the world. You don’t have to be perfect, just willing.

Be encouraged, men of God! May this Father’s Day mark the start of a new chapter in your spiritual life!

A Good God 2023 Celebration!

2023 has been a striking year of God's faithfulness! Our Fundraiser Fiesta exceeded expectations, we finished remodeling and rented our second apartment, we finally installed a beautiful outdoor sign, we held joint services with our sister Spanish churches, we restarted the Academia Mauricio Saravia, our Latin American Independence Day Event was well attended and helped us raise more than $1,000, we replaced more than 300 interior fluorescent lamps and nine exit signs for free, and soon we shall have three new dual pump HVAC rooftop units valued at more than $82,000 installed on our roof and running! All these blessings are literal gifts from above. To God be the glory!

God has been faithful to our ministry and, indeed, also through our ministry. Would you join us in praising God by sharing how our ministry has impacted you or our community? Together, our testimonies will create a concerto of thanksgiving and adoration. Thank you for being a part of this move of God in the Denver inner-city!

Please consider making a year-end gift to help us with our Children and Youth Christmas Drive (we give every kid in our church a $25 gift) or prepare for our 2024 Winter Session of the Academia Mauricio Saravia. It's your choice! You may do so by clicking the link below.

DONATE

God in the Fog #1

MY CHRISTMAS MIRACLE

Malachi 4:2

But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.

I haven’t often told of the many wonders God has performed for us. However, that is now changing. I must share this Christmas miracle as my gratitude overflows.

Since high school, more than 40 years ago, I have had sleep issues. At that point, the doctor said my sleep problem was due to excessive curvature of my spine, which he called mild scoliosis. I continued to sleep many nights on the floor. Several years and many pillows later, I went to a chiropractor, and his X-rays revealed that the culprit was my “military neck,” as it had no curvature whatsoever. Fast forward past a couple of new mattresses, and I underwent a sleep test where I was diagnosed with mild sleep apnea. Unfortunately, the CPAP machine caused me hypoxemia (low oxygen in the blood), so that wasn’t a solution. As the years marched on, my problem only got worse. Despite taking pain medication before bed and stretching multiple times each night, my most extended reach of sleep was typically 4 hours. At this point, I had to get up to alleviate the back and neck pain. That first time out of bed became my prayer time. Then I’d go back to sleep for maybe a couple more hours, get up again, and maybe try and sleep one final time for an hour or less. I have had multiple reasons for my insomnia but never a solution.

Drowsiness has impacted every area of my life. I fall asleep at stoplights, flunk morning exercise routines, fuzzily study for classes and sermons, and feel stiff, sore, and mentally frustrated to start my day. Despite being an excellent napper, I was tired of being tired. So during some prayer and fasting last week, I asked the Lord if He would heal me of my sleep ailment.

I did not hear a response, but for the past week, I have slept six, seven, and even eight hours without medication or pain. This sudden change after more than 40 years of sleep deprivation is a monumental miracle. Instead of waking up pleading with the Lord for a good attitude and strength to make it through the day, I lay awake thanking Him for the blessing of a whole night’s rest.

I am miraculously healed! If God did it for me, He could do the same for you!