Reasoning Through the Bible

Why do some people hear the Word of God and grow, while others seem interested for a time and then walk away?
Matthew 13 begins Jesus’ great series of kingdom parables with the parable of the sower. A farmer scatters the same seed across four kinds of soil, but each produces a very different result.
Glenn and Steve examine what Jesus says about the hard path, shallow rocky soil, thorns, and good soil. They discuss persecution, the need for discipleship and deep biblical roots, the deceitfulness of wealth, the distractions of everyday life, and why new believers need more than a moment of initial enthusiasm.
The study also explores why Jesus began teaching publicly in parables after growing rejection from the religious leadership, what the New Testament means by a “mystery,” and why those who genuinely want spiritual truth are given more understanding.
Matthew 13:1–23 | The Book of Matthew — Session 25
  Questions discussed in this session include: 
Has Jesus already told you about how you will react to His message?
What is the role of a seed sower today? 
What types of things might cause the word of God to not be fruitful in someone’s life?
Are there people who accept the word of God but do not grow? Why? 
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May God Bless you!! - Glenn and Steve

Are the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God the same thing?
Matthew uses the phrase “kingdom of heaven” repeatedly, while the other Gospels more commonly speak of the “kingdom of God.” Is that simply a difference in audience and terminology, or does Scripture point to a real distinction between the two?
In this topical discussion connected to the Matthew study, Glenn and Steve work through key passages involving the kingdom promised to Israel, the millennial reign of Christ, the church, salvation, the present and future aspects of the kingdom, and the significance of Jesus being the promised Son of David and Messiah.
They compare the parable of the talents with the minas, examine passages where kingdom language seems present and future, and consider how Matthew’s kingdom theme helps explain the movement of the Gospel from “the kingdom of heaven is at hand” toward Jesus’ announcement of the cross.
Rather than forcing every passage into a system, the goal is to reason through the biblical evidence and let Scripture define the kingdom.
Reasoning Through the Bible — Matthew Topical Study
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May God Bless you!! - Glenn and Steve

Is simply cleaning up your life enough?
Matthew 12 closes with Jesus describing an unclean spirit that leaves a person, only to return later and find the “house” swept, orderly, and empty. The warning is clear: removing something evil without being filled by God does not produce lasting spiritual change.
Glenn and Steve discuss why true transformation requires more than behavior modification, how the Holy Spirit changes the believer from the inside, and why the generation rejecting Jesus was in danger of ending up worse than before.
The passage then shifts to Jesus’ mother and brothers standing outside. Jesus responds by pointing to His disciples and saying that those who do the will of His Father are His true family.
That leads into a discussion of Mary, later Christian teachings about her, the meaning of Jesus’ brothers and sisters, and why every believer has direct access to Christ without needing another human mediator.
Matthew 12:43–50 | The Book of Matthew — Session 24
 Questions discussed during this session include:
Should people today be afraid of the devil or demons? 
Can Christians be attacked or possessed by demons? 
Who is Mary and what is her position in the Bible?
Are there people on earth today who are closer to God than Mary? 
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May God Bless you!! - Glenn and Steve

Have you ever worried that you may have committed the unpardonable sin?
Matthew 12:31–42 contains one of Jesus’ most debated warnings: “Blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven.” But what did He mean, and can someone today accidentally place himself beyond God’s forgiveness?
Glenn and Steve examine the immediate context of Jesus’ words, where the Pharisees had just attributed the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan. They discuss why this is not simply about saying one terrible sentence and why anyone who genuinely comes to Christ seeking forgiveness can still be forgiven.
The study then turns to Jesus’ teaching that the mouth reveals what fills the heart, the certainty of judgment, why salvation is not based on balancing good works against bad, and how the blood of Christ covers the believer’s guilt.
Finally, when the Pharisees demand another sign, Jesus points them to the sign of Jonah—His coming death, burial, and resurrection—and declares that something greater than Jonah and Solomon is standing before them.
Matthew 12:31–42 | The Book of Matthew — Session 23
  Questions discussed in this session include:
Is there going to be a judgement day? What will it be like?
What is the only way to stand justified before a holy and righteous God?
Which prophet is greater than Jonah? 
If we do more good things than bad, can we get into heaven? 
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May God Bless you!! - Glenn and Steve

Matthew 12 reaches a major turning point as the religious leaders move from questioning Jesus to openly rejecting Him.
After the Pharisees begin plotting His death, Jesus withdraws and continues healing those who follow Him. Matthew connects His gentle ministry to Isaiah’s prophecy of the Servant who would bring justice and become the hope of the Gentiles.
Then Jesus heals a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute. The crowd begins asking the crucial question: “Could this be the Son of David?” The Pharisees cannot deny the miracle, so they claim Jesus is casting out demons by the power of Satan.
Glenn and Steve examine why this miracle mattered, how Jesus answers the accusation with the logic of a divided kingdom, why His authority over demons confirms the presence of the King, and what He means when He says, “He who is not with Me is against Me.”
Matthew 12:15–30 | The Book of Matthew — Session 22
 Questions discussed during this session include:
Who is the only person who can know someone’s thoughts?
Can someone be neutral regarding Jesus? 
What about people who merely do not care about Jesus? 
Has Jesus shown Himself trustworthy, or is faith blind?
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Thank you for listening!!  Please give us a five-star rating to help your podcast provider's algorithm spread RTTB among their listeners. 
You can find free study and leader resources at the following link - Resource Page - Reasoning Through the Bible
Please prayerfully consider supporting RTTB to help us to continue providing content and free resources. You can do that at this link - Support RTTB - Reasoning Through the Bible 
May God Bless you!! - Glenn and Steve