The cleansing of the temple (Matt 21:12-17), the chief priests and elders of Israel questioning Jesus about the source of His authority (21:23-27) and the trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin (26:57-68) are tied together by the theme of authority and power. Jesus Christ speaks and acts with authority from God. The priests, scribes and elders response was, "Who made you king?" Jesus never responded defensively, and when forced to respond under oath, He responded offensively. He offended them. He is the kind of preacher that no one would choose to be their pastor, but He is the pastor of every true church. And seeing the abuse that He endured: He is the kind of king you would not choose to lead you into battle, but He has been made king and judge over you. Is He your Lord? Or are you still asking, "Who made you king?"

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Labels: elders, king, Matthew, pastor, priests, scribes, servant, temple

The cleansing of the temple (Matt 21:12-17), the chief priests and elders of Israel questioning Jesus about the source of His authority (21:23-27) and the trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin (26:57-68) are tied together by the theme of authority and power. Jesus Christ speaks and acts with authority from God. The priests, scribes and elders response was, "Who made you king?" Jesus never responded defensively, and when forced to respond under oath, He responded offensively. He offended them. He is the kind of preacher that no one would choose to be their pastor, but He is the pastor of every true church. And seeing the abuse that He endured: He is the kind of king you would not choose to lead you into battle, but He has been made king and judge over you. Is He your Lord? Or are you still asking, "Who made you king?"

Click here or the title to listen to this message.

Labels: christ, elders, king, Matthew, pastor, priests, scribes, servant, temple

Matthew 26 tells us the events surrounding the betrayal of Jesus Christ by one of the twelve -- Judas Iscariot. This passage was written for the new church that Christ would create with His resurrection and for us. The examples of Judas and the other disciples are warnings for the church. Judas warns the people that many will fall away, betray one another, and hate one another. The other disciples, in particular Peter, James and John, show us our need to pray, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." This is a prayer for the church ("us"). Another way Matthew shows us how to be a church is through the institution of the Lord's Supper. The church is the many whose sins are forgiven (the many who love one another). Thus no matter what hardship may come, even if it is betrayal, you should continue to gather together.

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Labels: church, forgiven, holy kiss, Lord's Supper, love, Matthew, warning

Matthew 26 tells us the events surrounding the betrayal of Jesus Christ by one of the twelve -- Judas Iscariot. This passage was written for the new church that Christ would create with His resurrection and for us. The examples of Judas and the other disciples are warnings for the church. Judas warns the people that many will fall away, betray one another, and hate one another. The other disciples, in particular Peter, James and John, show us our need to pray, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." This is a prayer for the church ("us"). Another way Matthew shows us how to be a church is through the institution of the Lord's Supper. The church is the many whose sins are forgiven (the many who love one another). Thus no matter what hardship may come, even if it is betrayal, you should continue to gather together.

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Labels: betrayal, church, forgiven, Lord's Supper, love, Matthew, Sunday worship, warning

Matthew 23 contains the seven woes Jesus pronounces upon the scribes and the Pharisees and his lament over Jerusalem. These warnings really were reminders to the leaders of the early church of what it means to be a servant of the kingdom of heaven. The sermon divides the text into sections and then attempts to explain the section, look at how it points us to Jesus, and then how we might apply it. Whether you are a scribe or other leader in the church or not, if you follow Jesus you need to remember to point people to Jesus.

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Labels: christ, lament, Matthew, Pharisees, shema, warning, woe

Matthew 23 contains the seven woes Jesus pronounces upon the scribes and the Pharisees and his lament over Jerusalem. These warnings really were reminders to the leaders of the early church of what it means to be a servant of the kingdom of heaven. The sermon divides the text into sections and then attempts to explain the section, look at how it points us to Jesus, and then how we might apply it. Whether you are a scribe or other leader in the church or not, if you follow Jesus you need to remember to point people to Jesus Christ.

Click here or title to listen.

Labels: christ, lament, Matthew, Pharisees, warning, woe

Matthew 22:15-46 is a war of words over the Word of God. We all have questions about the Word of God that we would like Jesus to answer but the Pharisees and Sadducees had much more sinister intentions. Ultimately the Scriptures are about the person and work of Jesus Christ. Thus in answer to the controversy over paying the tax of the denarius the point is that Jesus is the very image of the invisible God and His work is one of renewing His people in the image of God. And in the encounter with the Sadducees, the point is that Jesus is the bride-groom of the church and His work is one of purifying her to be His virgin bride. And in the final contest with the Pharisees, Jesus is the Lord of David because Jesus is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings and if David was the man after God's own heart how much more so was this the case for Jesus who died for His neighbors' sins. Jesus is the King who conquers hearts. These three themes are all connected because they are all about total devotion to God. Rendering ourselves to God because we are being renewed in His image. Loving Jesus as our only husband. And loving the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, and mind and your neighbor as yourself. TOTAL devotion.

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Labels: bride, christ, David, heart, image of God, marriage, Matthew, Pharisees, Sadducees, shema

Matthew 22:15-46 is a war of words over the Word of God. We all have questions about the Word of God that we would like Jesus to answer but the Pharisees and Sadducees had much more sinister intentions. Ultimately the Scriptures are about the person and work of Jesus Christ. Thus in answer to the controversy over paying the tax of the denarius the point is that Jesus is the very image of the invisible God and His work is one of renewing His people in the image of God. And in the encounter with the Sadducees, the point is that Jesus is the bride-groom of the church and His work is one of purifying her to be His virgin bride. And in the final contest with the Pharisees, Jesus is the Lord of David because Jesus is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings and if David was the man after God's own heart how much more so was this the case for Jesus who died for His neighbors' sins. Jesus is the King who conquers hearts. These three themes are all connected because they are all about total devotion to God. Rendering ourselves to God because we are being renewed in His image. Loving Jesus as our only husband. And loving the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, and mind and your neighbor as yourself. TOTAL devotion.


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Labels: bride, christ, David, heart, image of God, Matthew, Pharisees, Sadducees, shema

Matthew 19:1-12 includes the two trick questions the Pharisees ask Jesus about divorce. These are trick questions because they want Jesus to denounce the marriage of Herod and Herodias. Instead, Jesus challenged the Pharisees who interpreted the law in order to empty it of all meaning and replace it with their own commandments and traditions. The Pharisees, like you, need Jesus. Christ was single (a figurative eunuch for the sake of the kingdom) during this life because the resurrection began His wedding feast. Jesus sent the Spirit to purify you, the church, as His spotless bride. Now we can begin to discuss marriage, divorce, and singleness.

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Labels: christ, divorce, eunuchs, marriage, Matthew, Pharisees, spirit

Matthew 19:1-12 includes the two trick questions the Pharisees ask Jesus about divorce. These are trick questions because they want Jesus to denounce the marriage of Herod and Herodias. Instead, Jesus challenged the Pharisees who interpreted the law in order to empty it of all meaning and replace it with their own commandments and traditions. The Pharisees, like you, need Jesus. Christ was single (a figurative eunuch for the sake of the kingdom) during this life because the resurrection began His wedding feast. Jesus sent the Spirit to purify you, the church, as His spotless bride. Now we can begin to discuss marriage, divorce, and singleness.

Click here or the title to listen.

Labels: christ, divorce, eunuchs, marriage, Matthew, Pharisees, spirit