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The Chosen Rise Up —- http://TheChosenRiseUp.com SPOILERS OKAY here on this thread Now that Episodes 1-3 of Season 4 have been in theaters for ONE week and has held a SOLID #2 Nationwide position for Theatrical releases for the past 7 days -RAW theatrical revenue Data here: https://www.boxofficemojo.com/releasegroup/gr4002566661/?ref_=bo_rl_su As of this posting: $10,317,554 (Worldwide for just episodes 1-3) With episodes 4,5,6 to be released in theaters on 15 February 2024 it is time to talk through Episodes 1-3 I am particularly interested in what FReeper chosen fans or chosen haters have to say about the NON-Biblical atory lines playing out...

Matthew Perry, a comic actor known for playing the sarcastic, boyishly charming and tightly wound Chandler Bing in the long-running sitcom “Friends,” was found dead Oct. 28 at his home in Los Angeles. He was 54. Perry was discovered by a witness unresponsive in his hot tub at about 4 p.m. Saturday, Capt. Kelly Muniz of the Los Angeles police said in a statement Sunday. The Los Angeles City Fire Department responded and pronounced Perry dead on the scene, she said, adding that detectives from the LAPD’s robbery-homicide division investigated and found “no obvious signs of trauma.” The official cause...

“Follow Me, the Doctor of Mercy” (Matthew 9:9-13) In the Holy Gospel for today, Jesus calls Matthew to follow him and be his disciple. Jesus calls him, even though Matthew was looked down upon as an obvious sinner. But Jesus is the great physician who has mercy on those who are sick with sin. And so, as Jesus calls us today also, he says to each one of us, “Follow Me, the Doctor of Mercy.” We know Matthew as St. Matthew the Apostle. But that’s not how he started out. For he had something in common with quite a few...

“Baptized in the Name: Confidence, Belonging, Relationship, Identity” (Matthew 28:16-20) Sometime during the forty days between his resurrection and his ascension, our Lord Jesus Christ met with his disciples on a mountain in Galilee, and he told them: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” And that is what the church has done for all these many centuries. And that is what has happened to you, every one of you...

“Alleluia! Christ Is Risen!” (Matthew 28:1-10)“Alleluia! Christ is risen!” (“He is risen indeed! Alleluia!”) “He is risen indeed!” Why such a joyful response? Because of the glorious good news that Christ is risen from the dead. This good news of the resurrection of our Lord brings joy and gladness to troubled, weary hearts. His resurrection calls forth our joyous response. On this Easter Day, then, the whole church on earth--all across the earth--hears the good news, “Christ is risen,” and we respond, “He is risen indeed! Alleluia!” But first comes God’s word to us: “Christ is risen.” That’s what the...

“Why?” (Matthew 27:11-50) Why? That is the question of the day here on this Good Friday. We hear the question raised twice in our Gospel account. First, when the crowd is demanding that Jesus be crucified, Pontius Pilate asks, “Why, what evil has he done?” And then second, when Jesus is crucified, he himself asks, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” These “why” questions are understandable, since none of this makes any sense--until we know the real reason for the “Why?” This whole entire episode--the trials, the beatings, the crucifixion: Why? Why did this take place? Why...

The week that Donald Trump was arrested in New York, less than a mile away from the courthouse, Hunter Biden was all smiles as he checked in on his latest art exhibition in Soho, at the George Berges Gallery, where his paintings reportedly sell for as much as $500,000 apiece to persons unknown. The first son seemed untroubled by the ongoing investigations into the millions he was paid by China in return for leveraging the power of his father’s vice presidency around the world. As his wife Melissa Cohen flashed shopping bags from nearby boutiques, Hunter was positively cocky, posing...

“To Be Tempted by the Devil” (Matthew 4:1-11) The Holy Gospel for the First Sunday in Lent is always an account of Christ’s temptation in the wilderness. This year it’s the account from Matthew chapter 4. Today we will see how the devil operates, and we’ll see how Jesus overcomes his schemes. This has relevance for our lives, because the devil comes at us with the same sorts of temptation. And so now let’s see what it’s like “To Be Tempted by the Devil.” Our text begins at the beginning of Matthew chapter 4. Obviously, right before this is the...

“The Transfiguration Transition” (Matthew 17:1-9) Today we’re celebrating the Transfiguration of Our Lord, that day up on a mountain when our Lord Jesus Christ was transfigured, that is, his appearance was changed. This event marked a transition--a turning point, a pivot point--in our Lord’s ministry. And that’s why this Transfiguration festival today marks a transition--a turning point--in the church year, as well. The Transfiguration of Our Lord comes as the climax of the Epiphany season, and at the same time it serves as a transition into the season of Lent, which begins on Wednesday. In this way, the church year...

“A Righteousness That Won’t Work and One That Will” (Matthew 5:21-37) Last week’s Gospel reading ended with these words of Jesus, from Matthew 5, verse 20: “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” And really, those same words could serve as the beginning of today’s reading, which starts at verse 21. For today Jesus will give examples of the supposed righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees--a surface righteousness that will not get you into the kingdom of heaven--so that then you will be ready to receive the only righteousness...

“Let Your Light Shine before Others” (Matthew 5:13-20) In the Holy Gospel for today, from Matthew chapter 5, Jesus says to his disciples, “You are the light of the world.” But elsewhere in the gospels, Jesus says about himself, “I am the light of the world.” So, which is it, Jesus? Are you the light of the world, or are we? And the answer is . . . yes. Both are true, each in its own way. Jesus is the light of the world in a unique, one-of-a-kind sense. And we are the light of the world by extension, as...

“The People Dwelling in Darkness Have Seen a Great Light” (Matthew 4:12-25) In our Gospel reading for today, St. Matthew describes the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. And to do so, he quotes a passage from our Old Testament reading from Isaiah. Matthew writes: “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles--the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.” And this gives us our theme for this morning’s...

“Anointed for Servanthood” (Matthew 3:13-17) Today we recall the Baptism of Our Lord, that great event when our Lord Jesus was baptized in the Jordan by John the Baptist. The heavens were opened. The Spirit of God descended on Jesus like a dove. The Father’s voice came from heaven, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” What an awesome occasion! And what I especially want to say about it this morning is that, in his baptism, Jesus was “Anointed for Servanthood.” “Anointed for servanthood”? What does Jesus’ baptism have to do with that? And what do...

“Where Is He Who Has Been Born King of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:1-12) Today is the Epiphany of Our Lord, a major festival in the church year. Epiphany always falls on January 6, right after the twelve days of Christmas. The Holy Gospel for this day always is the story of the visit of the wise men, as found in Matthew chapter 2. And the question that the wise men ask gives us the theme for our message today: “Where Is He Who Has Been Born King of the Jews?” These wise men from the east come to Jerusalem, the...

“St. John the Baptist, the Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness” (Matthew 3:1-12) Today’s midweek service is the last in our series called, “Three Saints of Advent.” We began on November 30 with St. Andrew, Apostle, since his festival falls on that date. Last week, on December 7, we remembered St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, since his commemoration falls on that date. Now today, December 14, is nobody’s festival or commemoration, but since the last two Sundays the Gospel readings have featured John the Baptist, that’s the saint we’ll go with today. Now there’s quite a lot in the...

“Three Saints of Advent: St. Andrew, Apostle” (John 1:35-42a; Matthew 4:18-20) When churches have midweek Advent or Lenten services, usually the pastor tries to come up with a theme that will tie the services together. This year, in looking at the calendar for Advent, I noticed something about the dates for our midweek services. The first three Wednesdays are November 30, December 7, and December 14. Which got me to thinking: November 30 is the Feast of St. Andrew, Apostle. December 7 is the Commemoration of St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan and one of the great Church Fathers. December 14...

Matthew PernaMatt loved to travel and lived in Thailand and South Korea during his life, teaching English to school children. He traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, South America, India and the United States of America making lasting friendships everywhere he went. He went on a mission trip to Haiti and also took many trips with his parents and brother Steve. Matt enjoyed conversing with all walks of life, especially the elderly. It was not unusual for him to strike up conversations with complete strangers, always eager to learn from others.Matt enjoyed running long distance races and held medals from several...

"And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows." "He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it." "He that receiveth you receiveth me,...

"But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour." "And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you." "Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear...

“Epiphany, Baptism, and a Tale of Two Herods” (Matthew 2:1-12; Luke 3:15-22) Every year, the Epiphany of Our Lord always falls on January 6, which was this past Thursday. The Gospel reading for Epiphany is the visit of the wise men, from Matthew 2. On the first Sunday after the Epiphany, which is today, we always observe the Baptism of Our Lord. And this year the Gospel reading is the account from Luke. This past Thursday, we had to cancel our Epiphany service. So now today, I decided to combine the readings for the two services, the Epiphany of Our...