Download weekly sermons on Apple Podcasts.
The Wondrous Cross | Matthew 27:32-56
How do you view the cross? For many people today the cross is simply a charm on a bracelet, but for those who lived 2,000 years ago the cross was a place of utter horror and suffering. It was normally reserved for the worst criminals, yet this is the place where Jesus willingly goes to pay for sin. In Matthew 27:32-56 we see Jesus suffer through the horror of being crucified, so that sinful people, like you and me can…
Dig Down Deep | Matthew 7:24-29
In his conclusion to the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7:24-29, Jesus challenges his followers and the crowd to put into action what he’s been teaching. To listen and obey is like a wise man who built his house on unshakable rock. But to listen to Jesus’ words and go away unchanged is foolish. It’s like building your house on sand. Your life will not stand, in this life or the next. Dig down deep to Christ our Cornerstone.
The Road Less Traveled | Matthew 7:13-23
In Matthew 7:13-23, Jesus uses three lessons to teach his followers how to distinguish between his true followers and those that pretend or are just going through the motions. He uses the lesson of the broad path and the narrow path in verses 13-14, the lesson of the wolves and fruit trees in verses 15-20, and the lesson of calling on Jesus as Lord, but not really knowing him in verses 21-23. These verses are a challenge to really follow…
Judgmentalism | Matthew 7:1-6
In Matthew 7:1-6, Jesus challenges us not to have a judgmental heart-attitude. He warns us not to judge others unfairly but instead to treat others with the grace we’d like God to show you and me. He also calls us to examine ourselves honestly before examining others. Like the disciples, we are all blind to our own sin, but Jesus can take away any blindspot. Jesus also advises us to share the truth thoughtfully. We speak truth graciously, honestly, and thoughtfully because that’s what Jesus…
Courage, Dear Heart | Matthew 6:25-34
In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus tells us not to live in a state of worry or anxiety. It’s a challenge to all of us as we all fear the future at some level. Long before the movie Frozen came on the scene, Jesus told his followers to “let it go.” The anxieties he calls us to let go are personal, future, and relational (F.E.A.R. = False Expectations Appearing Real). But we don’t just want to let our anxieties go and fill that space with another…
Heavenly Banking | Matthew 6:19-24
In Matthew 6:19-24 Jesus raises an issue of the heart, our money. Just like prayer and fasting help us grow in relationship with God, so does how we use our finances. Jesus teaches that we should invest in eternity today, and that we should do so for several reasons: 1) Heaven offers an imperishable reward; 2) It helps us live the right way now; and 3) It frees us to fully love and serve God. We can invest in eternity…
That’s Not Normal | Matthew 5:38-48
We’re all mistreated, or tempted to mistreat others when they’ve mistreated us. Jesus, in Matthew 5:38-48 teaches us that when we respond the normal way, with vengeance, the problem continues. Christ gives us a solution that is better than non-violence. He taught us to turn the cheek, to give to those who hurt us, and to love our enemies. He calls us to do this because he did it on his way to the cross. Grace doesn’t stop just violence, it…
Covenant Breakers | Matthew 5:27-37
In Mathew 5:27-37, Jesus focuses on some of our most intimate and personal relational sins. On the outside, we may try to avoid adultery, divorce, and breaking oaths, but on the inside, we are plagued with lust, violating covenants, and habitual lying. Our tendency is to come up with excuses, explanations, and escape clauses to soften Jesus’ standard for his disciples. But does Jesus really expect us to live in holy perfection? What hope is there for followers of Jesus,…
Tongue Murderers | Matthew 5:21-26
When it comes to measuring ourselves against God’s Law, particularly the last six of the Ten Commandments (the ones relating to how we are to love our neighbor), while we might see some room for improvement in our lives, many of us would admit that we aren’t guilty of stealing (at least since that one time when we were kids in the candy shop!), committing adultery, and executing a murder, to name a few. But what if the Law isn’t…
Grace Mountain | Matthew 5:1-20
In the Sermon on the Mount, starting with the beatitudes, Jesus teaches his disciples how grace should change the way they view life. In Matthew 5:1-20 grace gives us a new viewpoint four ways: 1) followers of Jesus are surprised by grace; 2) followers of Jesus are seasoned with grace; 3) followers of Jesus shine out grace; and 4) followers of Jesus are successful because of grace. Grace should change who we are, to the very core, because of just how much Jesus…
Jesus is the Son of God | Matthew 3:13-17
The baptism of Jesus Christ in Matthew 3:13-17 teaches us three key truths: 1) God is a Trinity; 2) Jesus is God’s chosen one; and 3) God loves people. Most of all it teaches us one central truth. Jesus is the God who got into the water with us. Download Pastor Jonathan’s sermon outline above (click Save PDF) or the sermon slides below.
Jesus is King | Matthew 2:1-12
The story of the magi in Matthew 2:1-12 teaches us three different ways to respond to the message of Jesus. We can respond as religious people who don’t need Jesus (chief priests), as non-religious people who don’t like Jesus (Herod), or as gospel people who recognize Jesus is king and worship him (magi). Worship king Jesus this Christmas season. You can listen to the audio or download the sermon outline above (Save PDF). The sermon slides are below and you can…