Sermons on Matthew (Page 3)
Forgiveness in the Community
We all know the pain of being wronged by someone else… and we all know the guilt and shame of hurting others. Life in community when we are broken people living in a broken world is difficult. But Jesus shows us a better way of handling this brokenness. Pastor Ben unpacks Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness.
How to Think of Yourself
Jesus has set His face towards Jerusalem, back towards the rejection and opposition of the religious elite. As He does this, His teaching to His disciples becomes more pointed. This week, Pastor Joe unpacks how Jesus’ disciples instructed His disciples to think about their engagement with the world.
The Glorious Christ
The life of the disciples had become increasingly chaotic as they continued to follow Jesus. But this week, Jesus takes a small band of them up a mountain to show them something that will cut through the chaos they faced. And it is a truth we desperately need to hear today!
The Way of the Cross
By this time, there was a huge variety of ideas about Jesus that different people held. But in this passage Peter declares a vision of Jesus that does not spring from the ideas of the world, but from God Himself. Pastor Joe unpacks this truth and the radical call that it places on our lives.
Pervasive False Teaching
Jesus was so hated by the powerful religious elite that even opposing factions came together and worked to bring Him down. In today’s passage, Pharisees and Sadducesss unite to accuse Jesus. Pastoral Intern Karl Scott unpacks this encounter to show us how the blind hardheartedness of these leaders can impact our lives as well.
The Compassion of the Christ
As Jesus continues to minister in Gentile territory, we find Him repeating one of His most pivotal miracles, feeding the multitude. But it is the reason He performs this, and many other miracles, that Pastor Joe will challenge us with.
The Outward Trajectory of the Gospel
Having been rejected by the Jerusalem elite, Jesus moves out into Gentile territory. Here He meets a Canaanite woman, and from His interaction with her, we see how the gospel of Jesus Christ will keep moving despite the rejection of powerful people.
Jesus and Tradition
Jesus has had many confrontations with religious leaders, but in today’s passage we see an official delegation from Jerusalem come all the way out to question Him. As they seek to trap Him, Jesus will speak a word of truth about how these leaders had elevated their traditions over the word of God… Pastor Ben helps us see this is a word of truth we need to hear today as well.
Discipleship Growth
In life, we celebrate learning by commemorating out those moments that mark out our growing independence. Well, the disciples are clearly learning and growing from their Master Jesus. So what does their growth look like? Pastor Joe will help us see what discipleship growth looks like by unpacking two of Jesus’ more spectacular miracles.
Jesus Rejected at Home
Success in this world tends to be measured by acceptance. If lots of people accept you, that makes you successful. But in this passage we see Jesus rejected by His own family and friends, and we see John rejected by King Herod… we might be tempted to think of their ministry as giant failures due to this rejection, but Pastor Ben helps us see past worldly measurements of success.