Grace Bible Fellowship Sermon Podcast: Recent Episodes
Grace Bible Fellowship of La Crete
1 Peter 2:21-25
Three effects of Christ's suffering for Christians as we consider the atonement:
1) Our Standard (vv. 21-23)
2) Our Substitute (V. 24)
3) Our Shepherd (v.25)
Matthew 12:9–14
Jesus has declared himself “Lord of the Sabbath” (Matthew 12:8), a claim that shows him to be God. God created the Sabbath to commemorate his rest after the six days of creation. God established the Sabbath as a statue for Israel. God, and God alone, could rightly be called “Lord of the Sabbath.” But that is the title that Jesus claimed for himself. This week in Matthew 12:9–14 we will see that title vindicated as the Lord does good on the Sabbath. The Pharisees respond by plotting to kill Jesus for “working” on the Sabbath.
Matthew 11:28–30
One of the greatest passages in all of Scripture is Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28–30. In the midst of rejection Jesus invites all who are weary and heavy laden to come to him. The King gives the people another chance to come. This is an invitation to recognize him as the Messiah, to repent, to be saved, and to enter into a relationship with Jesus such that Jesus will reveal the Father to those who come. We will examine this text and ask, “Who may come?” “What does it mean to come?” and “Why should we come?”
Selected Scriptures
3 results accomplished through the cross of Christ: 1. God’s wrath is satisfied 2. God’s love is exemplified 3. God’s name is glorified
Matthew 10:24–33
After informing his disciples that they would face persecution as they herald the gospel message for his sake, Jesus prepares them for that persecution in a most remarkable way. Matthew 10:16–23 showed us that we would be persecuted for Jesus sake (cf. Matt 5:10–12). Jesus teaches us how to not fear that persecution in Matthew 10:24–33.
Matthew 10:24–25
After informing his disciples that they would face persecution as they herald the gospel message for his sake, Jesus prepares them for that persecution in a most remarkable way. Matthew 10:16–23 showed us that we would be persecuted for Jesus sake (cf. Matt 5:10–12). Jesus teaches us how to not fear that persecution in Matthew 10:24–33. We will cover these verses over the next few weeks beginning with verse 24–26a.
Selected Scriptures
We live in a sin-cursed world. Though we are citizens of heaven, we are exiles on this earth toiling under the weight of sin, sickness, and suffering. As a result of this, we will face many situations and conditions that will cause much loss and deep, heart-wrenching grief. These may come in the form of church struggles, family hardships, broken marriages, rebellious children, loss of employment, slander, persecution, depression, anxiety, sickness, and – ultimately – death. Thankfully, the Word of God offers much hope to those facing these kinds of situations and provides godly direction for Christians to overcome grief and finding our ultimate comfort in Christ.
Matthew 10:16–23
Matthew 10:16–23 lays out the cost of discipleship and of serving the Lord by proclaiming the gospel in a hostile world. We are sheep in the midst of wolves. We will be delivered to the courts, flogged in the synagogues, dragged before governors and kings, even our own families will deliver us over to death, children will rise up against parents and have them put to death, and we will be hated by all for Jesus’ names sake. Persecution is a question of when not of if (Cf. 2 Tim 3:12). The passage is a heavy one but indirectly it offers great encouragement to the believer.
Matthew 9:35–10:5
Matthew 9:35–10:5 is a transition between Jesus’ amazing words and deeds in 5:1–9:34 and his second discourse and the growing opposition to his ministry in 10:5–12:50. In these verses we get a glimpse of Jesus’ ministry and his concern for the people. We also see him call his disciples to take up his concern for the people and ask the Lord to send laborers into the harvest. This prayer will be answered as Jesus calls the twelve apostles and sends them out to minister in his name. This passage (Matt 9:35–10:5) is one of the greatest passages on ministry. It calls us to take up Jesus’ mission of bringing the gospel to the world.
Matthew 9:27–34
The final miracles in Matthew 8 and 9 (9:27–34) involve Jesus healing two blind men and casting out a demon that results in the healing of a mute man. The healings result in contrary opinions about Christ. The crowds are amazed whereas the pharisees say that Jesus casts out demons by the prince of demons. Matthew has shown us the authority of Jesus Christ. Now it is up to us to decide what we believe about him or how we will respond to his amazing authority.
Selected Scriptures
Some version of “grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” begins almost every New Testament letter. We often skip over these little greetings to get to the main portion of the letters but these words are important. They contain the gospel message in seed form. Grace and peace are the core of the gospel message and nothing is more important than that. This week we are going to dig into these two words and answer the question, “What is the gospel?”
Selected Scriptures
In response to Canadian bill C-4 pastors across the country and even the world are standing together to preach on biblical sexuality. This bill criminalizes conversion therapy—any practice, therapy, or service designed to change a person’s sexual orientation to heterosexual, gender identity to cisgender, or gender expression to the sex assigned to them at birth or seek to repress or reduce the same. The bill, in very religious language, calls biblical truth “myth.” We are going to explore and compare the truth claims of Christianity versus the claims of the Canadian government and the world.
Ecclesiastes 2:1–11
We are going to begin the new year with two messages calculated to teach us how to rejoice in the Lord. Knowing how to find joy in the Lord will help us whatever circumstances come our way this year. But what does it mean to rejoice in the Lord? Sometimes we talk about things without really understanding what we are saying or how to put it into practice. This two part series is going to cover the idea from two sides. First, we will look at the negative side—we will look at the vanity of idols. Second, in part two we will look at what it means to glorify God, to fellowship with him, and how to find delight in and joy in knowing him.
Various Scriptures
The Canadian government just put out a bill criminalizing conversion therapy—any practice, therapy, or service designed to change a person’s sexual orientation to heterosexual, gender identity to cisgender, or gender expression to the sex assigned to them at birth. This bill also criminalizes any practices, therapies, or services that would aim to repress or reduce the same. The bill is called C-4. It is so broadly written that it seems it could apply to merely reading Scripture, proclaiming the gospel, or having a conversation with an LGBTQ2S+ person. While we are unsure the extent to which this new law will extend, we are sure exactly what we are called to do in these times. Join us as we explore the bill, the philosophy behind it, what the word of God says about these issues, and what we should do in our current situation.
Matthew 9:14–17
What do whining disciples, a wedding, a worn garment, and a wineskin have in common? Good question! In Matthew 9:14–17 Jesus answers the question, “Why do your disciples not fast?” His answer involves the picture of a wedding and two parables showing that the ‘new’ doesn’t work together well with the ‘old.’ The whole thing teaches that we must understand the times. The disciples of John the baptist needed to understand that something new was happening in the ministry of Jesus. We also need to understand that same truth as well as what is happening in our own day.
Matthew 9:9–13
Having shown that he has the authority to forgive sin (Matt 9:1–8), Jesus now tells us that he has come to call sinners to follow him (Matt 9:9–13). This is the text where we get the idea that Jesus is the Great Physician. He has come to minister to those who are sick with sin and he wants us to follow in his footsteps.
Matthew 9:1–8
In Matthew 9:1–8 we see the remarkable authority of Jesus to forgive sins and to pronounce them forgiven. Jesus is beginning to fulfill the word spoken by the angel, “He will save his people from their sins” (Matt 1:21). Jesus has the authority to meet our greatest need!
Matthew 8:18–22
The cost of discipleship has been a somewhat controversial topic in the modern church. How can there be a cost when salvation is free? Salvation is by grace alone through faith which is the opposite of works. If salvation is by grace and not by works, how can there be a cost? These questions and those like them don’t seem to bother Matthew or Jesus. Jesus was quick to point out the cost of following him. But that does not mean that he believed in salvation by enduring the costs of discipleship. Instead, for Jesus and Matthew true faith involves recognizing Jesus’ worth. How great is Jesus in your estimation? The answer to that question will determine the genuineness of your faith and your ability to bear the cost of being a disciple.
Matthew 8:1–4
In Matthew chapters eight and nine we are shown examples of Jesus’ healing ministry. We have seen Jesus’ authority in his teaching and preaching, now we are introduced to his authority over sickness, disease, nature, demons, and even death itself. Matthew presented Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount, now he shows us Jesus’ works. Jesus’ demands were great, but now we see that his mercy, compassion, and power are equally great.
Luke 16:1–13
One thing that the believer needs to be constantly reminded of is the reality of eternity. We are only on this planet for a short time and then we will dwell with our Lord forever in the new heaven and new earth. Jesus reminded his disciples time and time again that they would be rewarded for their service and sacrifice in this life. In Revelation 22:7 Jesus said, “Behold, I am coming soon.” A few verses later he said again, “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done” (Rev 22:12).
Matthew 7:24–29
A great danger lies hidden in one of the most critical aspects of the Christian’s life. One of the greatest blessings any believer can have is to have the Word of God in their own language and to have the opportunity to hear the Word of God preached. But in the midst of this great blessing is the subtle danger of deception. We can begin to think that we are okay because we have the Word of God and we hear the Word of God. We can be deceived as to our true spiritual state. Listening to preaching is good, but listening alone is dangerous. The Scriptures are to be believed and obeyed, not merely heard. In the closing words of the Sermon on the Mount Jesus warns about the dreadful results of being hearers only (Matt 7:24–29).
Matthew 7:21-23
One of the most frightening passages in all of Scripture in Matthew 7:21–23. Jesus tells his disciples that not everyone who says to him ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven. Many will even say that they prophesied, cast out demons, and did many mighty works in his name. There is no indication in the text that those claims are false. They likely did do all those things and they even did them in Jesus’ name and yet they still fell short of entering the kingdom. It is important they we understand what Jesus is teaching in this text lest we hear those dreadful words on that day, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.”
Matthew 7:15–20
Throughout the history of redemption there has always been the problem of how to recognize those who truly speak for God and those who are false. When God wanted to reach down to man to accomplish salvation he spoke through chosen representatives. But false prophets who also claimed to speak for God were always among the true. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus warns us to beware of false prophets because he knew that just as there was a broad gate and way that led to destruction, so there would be false prophets to keep people from from entering at the narrow gate. False prophets and teachers a still a threat today. We need to watch out for them and know how to recognize them.
Matthew 7:13–14
Jesus begins the conclusion on the Sermon on the Mount with a powerful call to action. He commands his disciples and all who would enter into life to “Enter by the narrow gate.” There is one entry into life and there is one way to live according to the Lord. That way is the way laid out for us in the Sermon on the Mount. This sermon is not some optional standard for those who want to go deeper as disciples. Instead, it is the way that Jesus calls all of his followers to live.
Matthew 7:7-12
As Jesus brings this amazing sermon to its conclusion, he ends the main body of it with a call to prayer (Matthew 7:7–12). The standard of righteousness that Jesus has called his disciples to in this sermon is high. No higher standard has ever been given. Thankfully, we are not left to our own resources. Our Father in heaven is prepared to “give good things to those who ask him” (Matt 7:11). Help is available. Jesus says that those who ask, seek, and knock will receive, find, and have it opened to them (Matt 7:8). The only way to live as Jesus calls us to live is if it is in answer to our prayers for help.
Matthew 6:33–34
Matthew 6:33 is one of the best known verses in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus tells his disciples to seek first [God’s] kingdom and his righteousness. As great as this verse is by itself, it is even better in its context where we see it as the cure for anxiety (cf. 6:34). The pursuit of our heavenly Father’s kingdom and righteousness is the way to flee worry about our possessions. Tomorrow can worry about itself so long as our concern is according Jesus‘ commandments in these verses (Matthew 6:33–34).
Matthew 6:25–32
In Matthew 6:25–32 Jesus transitions in his exhortation on this whole matter of where our treasure is. He has been telling us not to lay up treasures on earth and to have a single focus on pleasing God, loving him, and serving him as slaves. Now he transitions to another sign that will reveal if our focus is wrong. We can be focused on the world and yet have no treasures here to lay up. This type of worldly focus reveals itself in anxiety, worry, and fretting. In our passage Jesus is going to give us reasons not to be anxious.
Matthew 6:22-24
The past few weeks we have looked at this whole matter of laying up treasures in heaven (Matt 6:19–21). Jesus has commanded us to lay up treasures in heaven. Now in verses 22–24, he drives the point home. First, by using a metaphor about eyesight. If someone cannot see well their whole body is in the dark. Similarly, if our spiritual eyes are not seeing things properly it will impact everything we do. A second metaphor involves the impossibility of being a slave to two masters. As we have seen already in this gospel and in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus demands total allegiance from his disciples.
Matthew 6:19-21
Scripture teaches that the believer will be rewarded in heaven. Jesus commands his disciples to “lay up treasures in heaven” (Matt 6:20). But if rewards will be given then there must be a judgement to determine those rewards. Although, on the one hand, a believer “does not come into judgement” (John 5:24), still, there is a judgement of the Christian based on how he or she served the Lord in their lifetime. Today we will examine this judgement and what Scripture teaches about the believer’s future reward.
1 Peter 2:11-12
Because of our status as privileged people and our redemption through Jesus Christ, we are to proclaim the excellencies of God. We are to share the good news of the gospel to a dying world around us, and then, we are to live upright, godly lives that reflect the new creation that we claim to be as God’s children - indwelt by the Holy Spirit - by abstaining from the passions of the flesh and then conducting ourselves in an honorable manner, which, ultimately, brings glory to God.
Matthew 6:16-18
It is clear that the saints in the Old Testament fasted. They held a yearly fast on the Day of Atonement—probably the most important day on the Israelite calendar (Lev 16:29–31). They also fasted in times of danger, distress, grief, mourning, and repentance. In the New Testament we see that John the Baptist taught his disciples to fast (Matt 9:14). The Pharisees fasted (Luke 18:12). The apostles fasted at keys times in their ministries as well (Acts 13:1–3; 14:23). Despite all this, in our day we seem to know little about the practice.
Matthew 6:11–15
The next three petitions in the Lord’s prayer cover all of our human needs—physical and spiritual; past, present, and future. Our Lord teaches us to pray for our daily bread, for the forgiveness of our sins, and for deliverance from evil. We are to pray for our present physical needs—bread; the forgiveness of our past sins; and for protection from sin as we head into the future. All of these requests are to be permeated with the recognition that our Father has forgiven us and therefore, we also forgive others.
Matthew 6:10
In what is commonly called the Lord’s prayer, Jesus teaches his disciples to pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done.” As we have seen, our prayers, in contrast to the hypocrites, are to be sincere. We are to have a genuine desire for the kingdom to come and God’s will to be done. But this raises a couple of questions. What is this kingdom we are asking to come? Is it already here in some sense? Also, what about God’s will? Isn’t God’s will done already? Can God’s will be thwarted (cf. Job 42:2; Isa 14:27; 46:10)?
Colossians 2:1-5
Colossians 2:1-5 exhorts the Colossians to be motivated towards spiritual growth by attaining the riches of Christ through teaching, preaching, and warning in order to be kept from deception.
Matthew 6:9
This week we are going to focus in on an amazing verse: "Pray then like this: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.'"
Matthew 6:5-8
In Matthew 6:5–8 Jesus begins his teaching on how his disciples are to pray. Righteous conduct requires prayer and prayer must be sincere. Prayer must not be hypocritical, it must not be a show to get glory from men (6:5). Nor should our prayers multiply words as if God needs us to inform him what is happening (6:7). We do not need to manipulate him into doing something he is reluctant to do. The key to praying rightly, then, is to have a proper view of God. In this text Jesus teaches us to pray sincerely, recognizing that God is both omnipresent and omniscient—that is he is everywhere and all-knowing.
Matthew 6:1-4
In Matthew 6:1–18 Jesus transitions from the righteous character of his disciples to their righteous conduct. A disciple of Christ and citizen of his kingdom is not only to be righteous in his or her heart, we are also to do righteous deeds for the glory of God. The life a a disciple in this section could be characterized with one word—sincere. We are not to be like the hypocrites who seek glory from men. Instead, we are to be sincere in our desires to honour God. Only those righteous actions done in sincerity will be rewarded in heaven. This week we will look at verses 1–4 which deal with righteousness in giving.
Revelation 1:12–18
A few weeks ago we attempted to address the current situation in the Canadian church by looking at Ephesians 3:1–13. We asked then, “What will give us courage in the face of these difficulties?” We saw that we needed a high view of the church in order to be committed to our fellowship with one another in light of the current government restriction of it. This time we will attempt to address the current situation again but our focus will be not so much on the persecution of the church, but on the seemingly weak state of the Canadian church. Our text will be Revelation 1:9–20, especially verses 12–18. Last time we saw “The Glorious Church of Jesus Christ,” now we look at “The Glorious Christ of the Church. When we see so few churches willing to make a stand for the church of Jesus Christ we need to be reminded of John’s vision of the glorified Christ standing in the midst of the churches.
1 Peter 2:9-10
This Sunday we continue looking at the privileges we as Christians have as being children of God. Our status as believers is so important as we are exiles in this world, citizens of a different kingdom, and as such, we hold a very privileged position and purpose in our service to our King, Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 3:1-13 This past week, in Canada, a pastor was arrested and detained because of his conviction that the church must gather in obedience to her Lord. He refused to limit the size of the gathering. He refused to police the wearing of masks. He refused to enforce 2 meter spacing of the congregation. He refused because Scripture teaches us to obey God rather than men when they contradict one another. GraceLife Church continued to gather to worship Jesus Christ and now their pastor is in jail. We may face similar repercussions from our government. What will give us courage in the face of these difficulties? This week we will look at Ephesians 3:1–13 where we see the glorious church of Jesus Christ. A high view of the church will empower us to suffer for her sake.
Matthew 5:43–48
The final verse of Matthew 5 is one of the most challenging verses in all of Scripture. Jesus says, “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matt 5:48). In this section (5:42–48) we are called to love even our enemies (v. 44) , to be like our Father in heaven (v. 45), to do more and go beyond what regular people are capable of (v. 46–47), and to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect (v. 48). Christ calls us to a high standard indeed but what an amazing privilege the disciple has: to be transformed into the moral likeness of God himself!
Matthew 5:38-42
Jesus is well known for commanding his disciples to “go the extra mile.” But what he tells his disciples in Matthew 5:38–42 is difficult. It is difficult to interpret in light of other Scriptures. It is difficult to know how to apply it to our lives, and it is difficult to actually apply it once we understand it. We will see that Jesus calls us to deny ourselves and give our lives to serve God and others.
Matthew 5:33-37
In this section of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:17-48) Jesus has been telling us about the righteousness that he calls his disciples to live by. Our righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees (5:20). The scribes and Pharisees were viewed as the most righteous people because of how diligently they worked to keep the law. They kept the law but their hearts were full of wickedness. Jesus calls us to a righteousness of the heart.Today we look at how this righteousness looks in the truthfulness of our speech.
Selected Scriptures
The Bible’s teaching on divorce and remarriage is in some ways one of the more difficult doctrines to interpret and to implement practically. Good and godly men disagree on the correct biblical view. The application of any of the views will prove difficult as well because to break apart what God has joined together is going to involve deep hurt.
Selected Scriptures
Many people enter into marriage thinking that being married will improve their lives or make them happy. Marriage is a wonderful blessing from God but that does not make it easy. Many people have found marriage to be quite difficult, even many genuine believers. This week we will look at some of the chief difficulties in marriage and how they can be overcome. We will look at the next five of the eighth encouragements for a thriving marriage.
Hebrews 12:1-2
These have been some of the most difficult days for the church in recent memory. The government has told us that only fifteen percent of us can meet at one time for worship. Businesses have been closed or severely reduced. People are uncertain about the future. A pastor in Ontario was charged for keeping their church open during the pandemic. He faces a $10 000 to $100 000 fine and up to a year in prison. Grace Bible Fellowship has similarly committed to keeping our doors open. We could face similar fines or penalties from the governing authorities. What should our response be? The Hebrew believers were facing a similar situation. The author of Hebrews exhorted them to run the race of faith with endurance.
Colossians 1:24-29
Before addressing the false teachings in chapter 2, Paul first establishes his authority as God’s minister. By doing this, he gives us guidelines of what a good steward of the word looks like.
Selected Scriptures
In light of the recent restrictions on our gatherings and the closure of the arena by the governing authorities, we are going to examine what Scripture says about governing authorities, submission, obedience, and tyranny. This is an important question for us right now, one that we cannot afford to ignore any longer.
Selected Scriptures
Many people enter into marriage thinking that being married will improve their lives or make them happy. Marriage is a wonderful blessing from God but that does not make it easy. Many people have found marriage to be quite difficult, even many genuine believers. This week we will look at some of the chief difficulties in marriage and how they can be overcome. We will look at eight encouragements for a thriving marriage.
Ephesians 5:25-33
Love is an action that is not always necessarily associated with feelings. Love is seeking the benefit of others, whether they deserve it or not. In this way Christ loved His bride, by sacrificing Himself for her and sanctifying her unto God. Husbands are called to emulate Christ in loving their wives as Christ loved His bride, the church, and in this way, our marriage's display our union with Christ and the glorious work of the gospel.
Ephesians 5:22–24
What would you say is the key ingredient in a God glorifying marriage? Many would say something like, “the ability to laugh,” “forgiving one another,” or “good communication.” Those are all good things but they are not the answer that Scripture gives. The Bible teaches that marriage is two people becoming one flesh. When those two people live as one in every area of their lives—that is when God is most glorified in the marriage. Because that is when the picture of Christ and the church is most accurately displayed. But how do two live together as one? This week, we will look at the wife’s role in a message entitled, “The Spirit Filled Wife.”
1 Peter 2:4-8
This week as we continue our study of 1 Peter, our passage describes the basis for our belonging to the community of believers - the church, and the privileged identity we as Christians have in being united with Jesus Christ and belonging to the kingdom of God. We look at what it means that Jesus is a living stone and why Peter calls believers living stones as well.
Selected Scriptures
Last week we began our study on marriage. God designed marriage. In marriage he joins a man and a woman together and makes them ‘one flesh’ (Gen 2:24). This union was designed to be a picture of our redemption. This week we will dig deeper into what marriage is intended to illustrate. Marriage is a divinely intended picture of Christ and the church. That illustration is the ultimate meaning of marriage. Nothing helps our marriages more than the realization that our marriages point to something greater than the marriage itself.
Selected Scriptures
This week, as we continue our look at Matthew 5, Jesus speaks about divorce and remarriage. The Pharisees seem to have believed that divorce and remarriage was permissible for any reason (Matt 5:31; 19:3). Jesus says that divorce and remarriage leads to adultery except in the case of immorality (Matt 5:32). But before we get into this issue of biblical interpretation we want to take some time to look at marriage in general. Our message this week is going to answer the question, “What is marriage?”
In this sermon, we look at part 2 of the surpassing righteousness that the Lord calls his disciples to in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus said, “unless your righteousness exceeds [surpasses] that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 5:20). Our text this week deals with this surpassing righteousness in the area of lust (Matt 5:27–30). Disciples of Jesus Christ must be radically committed to fighting against sin in their lives all the way down to the depths of their hearts.
Matthew 13:44-46
In the two short parable stories of Matthew 13:44–46, Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven to a treasure so valuable that one is willing to sell everything to obtain it. This brings up a number of questions. First, what is it about the kingdom that proves so valuable? Before that, what even is the kingdom of heaven? Then, what does it mean for us? What are we supposed to do in response? Are we to sell everything to enter the kingdom?
Matthew 5:17-20
As we continue through the Sermon on the Mount Jesus now transitions into the main body of the sermon. Jesus just told us that as salt and light we are to do good works before men so that they might glorify our Father in heaven (Matt 5:16). The question naturally arises then, “What kind of good works are these and how do we do them?” The body of the sermon answers those questions (Matt 5:17–7:12). The introductory four verses that we will look at this week (Matt 5:17–20) show more specifically that these good works are founded on the authority of the Scriptures. The Old Testament retains its authority for Jesus’ disciples as the word of the eternal God, but it has to be understood in light of its fulfillment through Jesus Christ. This is critical for us to understand because Jesus says, “unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 5:20). The righteousness that glorifies God, or the good works that glorify God, are the result of obedience to our heavenly Father‘s voice in the Scriptures.
Matthew 5:13-16
Pastor Mike addresses multiple issues that plague the world, and often the church, today. How should christians react to things like government overreach, Black Lives Matter organization, Critical Race Theory, and social justice? We are called the salt of the earth and the light of the world. So in a world filled with unbiblical ideologies, what is the role of the christian? What is the role of the church?
Matthew 5:10-12
The most surprising “blessing” that Jesus announces in the beatitudes is the blessing on “those who are persecuted” (Matthew 5:10–12). This is totally contrary to the thinking of the world. The world says, “blessed are the popular and the well-liked.” The world says, “blessed are the revered, those who are comfortable, and those have what they want.” But Jesus’ values are not those of this sinful world.
Matthew 5:9
The grace of God in our salvation is truly amazing. Every aspect of salvation is a demonstration of the riches of God's goodness toward us in Jesus Christ. But the high point of it all is that God takes us to be his own sons and daughters. He adopts us into his family!
Matthew 5:9
In Matthew 5:9 Jesus pronounces a blessing on the peacemakers because they will be "called sons of God." We have examined the vertical element of peace: Peace with God. Sons of God are at peace with God. But true peace with God will lead to peaceful relationships with others, especially others who themselves have peace with God. This Sunday pastor Mike is going to continue to present 3 critical actions so that you can be an instrument of peace wherever you are.
Luke 7:36-50
Spiritual blindness is a condition that marks every son and daughter of Adam—every person who comes into this world. The difference between physical blindness and spiritual blindness is that, in most cases, the physically blind person knows they are blind, whereas the spiritually blind person is usually unaware of their true state. How can we tell if we are spiritually blind or if we are seeing things correctly? In Luke 7:36–50, Luke introduces us to a Pharisee and a woman who are designed to help us see our true spiritual condition. Their vision helps us to test our vision. Can You See?
Matthew 5:9
In Matthew 5:9 Jesus pronounces a blessing on the peacemakers because they will be called sons of God. The last two Sundays we have examined the vertical element of peace: Peace with God. Sons of God are at peace with God. But true peace with God will lead to peaceful relationships with others, especially others who themselves have peace with God. This Sunday Pastor Mike is going to present 3 critical actions so that you can be an instrument of peace wherever you are.
Matthew 5:9
In Matthew 5:9 Jesus pronounces a blessing on the peacemakers—they will be called sons of God. The ultimate form of peacemaking is bringing people into peace with God. This is what we typically call evangelism. Many believers struggle with this ministry. How can we serve the Lord well in evangelism?
Matthew 5:9
In Matthew 5:9 Jesus pronounces a blessing on the peacemakers because they will be called sons of God. This immediately brings up the question of what type of peace is in view. What peace does Jesus have in mind? Why is this peace necessary? How is it made? Perhaps more importantly for us, how can we serve as peacemakers? After all, it is peacemakers, and only peacemakers, who will be blessed.
Selected Scriptures
The term gospel literally means “good news," and can be defined in this way: The just and gracious God of the universe has looked upon hopelessly sinful people and sent His Son, Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, to bear His wrath against sin on the cross and then show His power over sin in the resurrection, so that all who have faith in Him will be reconciled to God forever!
*a few minutes of the beginning of the sermon were not recorded due to technical issues
1 Peter 1:22 - 2:3
Peter has much to say in this epistle regarding the local church, and as much as there are issues within the local body of Christ, Christians are to be identified by their love for one another. In the gospel of John 13:34-35, we find Jesus’ words regarding this love: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Francis Schaeffer points out that our Lord gives the world permission to judge the sincerity of our faith on the basis of our love for fellow Christians: “By this ALL people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” So, despite all her imperfections, we are to love the local church, the local body of believers.
Matthew 5:8
The ultimate blessing and eternal privilege of the saints is knowing God. Knowing God and Jesus Christ is eternal life (John 17:3). Fellowship with God will be our eternal joy. Another way to describe the reality of this relationship with God is by saying we will see God. Revelation 22:4 says, “they will see his face.” Theologians call this the beatific vision. This weekend we will look at this highest of all doctrines and see what Jesus means when he says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt 5:8).
Matthew 5:7
In the fifth beatitude, Jesus says that the merciful are blessed because they will receive mercy. But why do we need mercy? How can God be merciful towards sinners without sacrificing justice? What must we do to receive mercy? Do we receive mercy because we ourselves are merciful? In order to retain salvation by grace we typically want to reverse the order that Jesus has in these beatitudes so that we say, “We become merciful because God is first merciful for us.” If our instincts about the gospel are correct why does Jesus base mercy received on mercy given?
Matthew 5:3-6
Jesus warns that many will say to him, ‘Lord, Lord’ who will not enter the kingdom of heaven (Matt 7:21). Many religious people and professing Christians will come short of entering into eternal joy. Instead of hearing Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant . . . . enter into the joy of your Lord,” (Matt 25:21, 23) they will hear “depart from Me you workers of lawlessness” (Matt 7:23). This is a terrifying reality: something we cannot afford to ignore or get wrong. In the first four beatitudes of the Sermon on the Mount Jesus gives the reason many people fall short of eternal life as well as the remedy to the problem. What is needed, in the words of another Scripture, is a broken and a contrite heart (cf. Ps 51:17; Isa 57:15; 66:1–2). The people who are truly blessed are those who have been broken by God.
Matthew 5:1–7:29
The sermon on the mount is the greatest sermon ever preached by the greatest preacher who ever lived. Here we have God the Son incarnate preaching to his disciples on the nature of true discipleship. What does it look like to follow Jesus Christ? What does God the Son demand of one who has repented and committed to follow after him?
1 Peter 1:13-21
We saw in 1 Peter 1:1-12, that looking to the suffering and glorification of Christ has always been an encouragement to God’s children. So even when we are “grieved by various trials,” we look to the gospel, we look to our living hope, our inheritance, and our salvation ready to be revealed. Peter, having told us about our salvation and hope, causes us to ask ourselves: how should that hope impact us? What should we, as believers do? This section of 1 Peter is really broken up into two main sections. A series of imperatives that instruct Christian’s how to live in light of our hope (vv. 13-17); and the indicatives, where Peter restates the marvelous work of God that is the reason for giving us hope (vv. 18-21). Peter gives us three exhortations for the believer to obey in living a life of hope: 1. Ready Your Minds (v. 13) 2. Reflect God’s Holiness (v. 14-16) 3. Revere Your God (v. 17-21)
Matthew 4:12-25
In Matthew 4:12–25 we are given a short synopsis of Jesus’ ministry in Galilee. Jesus moves from the wilderness of Judea to the fertile land of Galilee where the majority of his ministry will take place. Once again, Jesus’ movement fulfills Scripture, this time Isaiah 9:1–2. Light has dawned on the people of Galilee. How great is the light of Jesus Christ! In this section, Jesus calls some disciples to follow him and we see the first glimpses of his ministry, “he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people” (Matt 4:23).
Matthew 4:1-11
Throughout the history of the world there have been some epic battles but none as significant for our race as the battle between Satan and Jesus Christ in the wilderness of Judea. Immediately after the proclamation of the Father, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” (Matt 3:17) Jesus was lead by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil (4:1). God’s intent was to test his beloved Son to prove that he was fit for the the task of accomplishing salvation. The devil’s intent was to tempt Christ to question his Father’s care and methods. The devil used basically the same strategy against Adam and Eve in the garden and Israel in the wilderness, but where they failed Christ overcame. Jesus’ victory means our salvation.
Matthew 3:13-17
The first time Jesus speaks in this gospel he tells John the baptist to baptize him, "for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness" (Matt 3:15). John had tried to prevent Jesus from being baptized because he recognized that Jesus should be the one to baptize him. But why was it fitting for Jesus to be baptized? After all, John's baptism was for repentance and Jesus had no need of repentance. Listen to this sermon from Pastor Mike to see how Jesus' baptism initiates his work to save his people from their sins (Matt 1:21).
Matthew 3:1-12
Before we meet Jesus in this gospel we are introduced to John the Baptist's ministry of preparation. John's preaching, baptism, dress, food, and message were remarkable, but even greater was his testimony to Jesus Christ.
Matthew 3:1-2
Some people today shy away from preaching repentance, perhaps feeling that a more positive message is needed. If your understanding of the gospel were captured in one word what would that word be? Matthew summarized the message of John and the Lord with ‘repent.’ What is the place of repentance in the good news of the gospel? What are the characteristics of genuine repentance? The doctrine of repentance contains the whole gospel in seed form. Listen to hear why ‘repent’ is actually good news.
Colossians 1:15–20 is one of the high points of Christology (the study of Christ) in all of Scripture. False teachings were creeping into the church and Paul’s answer to these teachings is simple but profound: Christ is enough.
Matthew 2:13–23
The battle between the one born king of the Jews and the then reigning king of the Jews continues in Matthew 2:13–23. Herod tries to kill baby Jesus, forcing the family to move to Egypt. Herod’s evil actions become the means for the Scriptures concerning the Christ to be fulfilled. God protects the child and therefore he protects our salvation. Matthew connects the holy family’s journey from Bethlehem to Egypt to Nazareth with the Old Testament Scriptures in an unusual way (many believe) showing once again who Jesus is and what he has come to accomplish.
Matthew 2:1-12
Our response to Jesus Christ determines our eternal destiny. In Matthew chapter two we see three responses to the newborn king that represent the various responses to him throughout the gospel. What do you think of Jesus Christ? Have you responded to his person correctly? These are questions that no one can afford to get wrong. Your eternity is at stake.
Psalm 46
We all face trials and difficulties in life. Jesus himself said, “In the world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33). The question is not, “Will we face difficulties?” The question is, “How will we respond when they come?” In Psalm 46 the sons of Korah invite us to join them as they look above their earthly circumstances to God who is greater than all. God’s presence causes them to worship instead of giving in to anxiety and fear. Come and see how knowing God as our refuge and strength can transform our difficulties into opportunities to worship.
Matthew 1:18–25
In Isaiah 40 the herald of good news is given good news to cry out (Isa 40:1–9). What is this good news? “Behold your God!” (Isa 40:9). God himself is the good news. But because of our sin and because God’s glory is too much for mortal man to behold we needed a saviour. Someone who could deal with our sins and show us God without God’s glory killing us. Matthew 1:18–25 deals with the question, “Who is Jesus Christ?” He is both God and man. He is “God with Us.” And he has come to save his people from their sins (Matt 1:21).
Matthew 1:1–17
How do you respond when you come across a genealogy in your regular Bible reading? It can seem like a meaningless list of names if we don’t understand what the author is doing. Why would Matthew begin his gospel with a list of names leading up to Jesus? This passage shows us that God’s plan has come to fruition. The Seed of Abraham, the promised son of David, the King, the Messiah, the Christ has come in the person of Jesus. For Matthew and his readers this is the pinnacle of the history of creation.
Acts 1:1-11
Ever wonder what a local church is called to do? There’s lots of things we could do, but what are we commanded to do? What must we do to be a biblically sound church? What is our first priority? And how do we go about fulfilling that mission?