Podcasts about in matthew

In Matthew 10:7–8, Jesus tells His disciples, “Freely you have received; freely give.” In 2 Corinthians 9:6–15, Paul teaches that generosity works like a seed—you don't reap what you store, only what you sow. Together, these passages reveal that generosity is not about money first—it's about trust, grace, and living in the story of God.In this message from our Freely Given series, we explore:• Why generosity is part of God's restoration strategy• The difference between scarcity and grace• How open-handed living reshapes our hearts• Why the early church changed the world through generosityWe wake up every day into a story—one that tells us to clench our fists and protect what we have. But Jesus invites us into a better story, where open hands lead to freedom, joy, and lasting fruit.

In Matthew 23:29–39, Jesus exposes the danger of opposing God while thinking you're serving him. Tom Vang explores spiritual blindness, religious hypocrisy, and Christ's deep compassion for his people. This message calls us to honest self-examination and a humble return to Jesus.If you haven't already, click ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to download the Sermon Application Guide to follow along.For more information on how to get connected with Five Oaks Church, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.fiveoaks.church/connect-me⁠

What if the clearest glimpse of God isn't found at the top of the mountain—but in the middle of real life?In Matthew 17:1–15, Jesus is revealed in dazzling glory. But he doesn't stay there. He comes down. Back to the noise. Back to the need. Back to the mess.Because God is not set apart from us.God is with us.

When are people watching your life the most? Not when everything is going well—but when you walk through difficulty with a peace that doesn't make sense. In Matthew 5:13–20, Jesus reminds us that we are not just saved by grace—we are sent with purpose. You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world. Our lives should push back darkness and point people to Christ. So the question is: are you shining… or just sitting in the shaker?

Christians are a going people.Every human being longs to be part of something bigger than themselves. In Matthew 9:35-10:15, Jesus looks at the crowds with compassion and sends his disciples out to proclaim the kingdom, thus calling them into a vast and compelling mission. In this sermon, we explore how God's people are to be a "going" people, sent into the world to further Christ's cause.

Join us as we continue our sermon series, "WHO IS JESUS?" In Matthew 16, Jesus asks His disciples the most important question anyone will ever answer: “Who do you say I am?”Our answer to this question determines everything. How we live, how we worship, who we trust, and ultimately where we will spend eternity.Online resources: https://www.renovatethecity.com/

Some names in Scripture roar like thunder. Others move like steady footsteps on a quiet road.This message dives into James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Thaddeus — three apostles barely mentioned in the Gospels, yet eternally remembered in heaven. While Peter preached at Pentecost and John leaned close at the Last Supper, these men walked faithfully without headlines, hashtags, or historical fanfare.And yet Jesus chose them.In Matthew 19:28 (ESV), Jesus promised that all twelve would sit on thrones judging the tribes of Israel. In Revelation 21:14 (ESV), the twelve apostles' names are written on the foundations of the New Jerusalem. Not just the famous ones. All of them.This sermon explores:• James the Son of Alphaeus — called “James the lesser” (Mark 15:40). No recorded sermons. No spotlight moments. Yet faithful to the end. A reminder that heaven measures devotion, not platform size. • Simon the Zealot — once aligned with Jewish nationalist zeal, possibly even revolutionary movements (Luke 6:15). Jesus transformed his political fire into gospel flame, uniting him with Matthew the former tax collector under one King. • Thaddeus (Judas, not Iscariot) — a man of three names who asked one recorded question (John 14:22). He expected a visible kingdom. Jesus revealed a deeper one — an indwelling presence (John 14:23).In a world obsessed with recognition, likes, and visibility, this message reminds us:Heaven does not count followers. Heaven counts faithfulness.We examine:• Matthew 6:4 — The Father who sees in secret rewards openly. • 2 Corinthians 5:10 — The Bema Seat of Christ, where believers are evaluated not for salvation, but for stewardship. • 1 Corinthians 3:12–15 — Works tested by fire. Gold remains. Straw disappears. • 2 Corinthians 4:5 — The messenger is never the focus. Christ is. • Matthew 28:19–20 — The mission was never about building apostle brands, but making disciples.Some applause on earth may be silence in eternity. Some quiet obedience here may echo forever.If you have ever felt unseen, overlooked, or “lesser,” this sermon will encourage you. God sees. God remembers. God rewards.Faithfulness, not recognition, is what heaven celebrates.

Thanks for joining us for worship and a message from Pastor Mark. We hope you experience God through worship and the word this morning.Why God Created Us. God did not create us to live isolated, self protected, or casually connected. He created us for sacred community.From the very beginning, God's design for His people was not individual performance but shared devotion. We are better together, stronger together, and able to reflect His love more fully when we live connected lives.The early church in Acts 2:42–47 gives us a clear picture of what this kind of community looks like. Believers were not simply attending church services. They were devoted to one another. They shared meals, resources, prayers, and their lives. Their faith was lived out together, not privately or selectively.This kind of community required openness, generosity, and responsibility. It meant moving beyond being church consumers and becoming people who carried ownership of one another's spiritual well being. Their love was active, sacrificial, and visible and it became deeply attractive to those watching from the outside.The message challenges us to ask an honest question: Are we living like the church in Acts, or are we avoiding what we were created for?We often present the “front yard” version of our lives. The part that looks put together. Some people are invited into the living room. A few into the kitchen. But the backyard, the messy, hidden, unfinished parts of us, stays locked.Sacred community requires more than surface connection. It requires trusted relationships where responsibility and access go hand in hand. Healing happens when we allow others to help us work out our salvation, not alone, but together.Jesus made it clear that love is the measure. In Matthew 22:37–39, He connects love for God directly to love for others. We are called to love with all that we are, not selectively, not safely, but fully.The church in Acts loved each other with that kind of depth. They were all in. Front yard, living room, kitchen, and backyard. That unity reflected the very nature of God Himself. Jesus prayed for this kind of oneness in John 17:11, asking that His followers would be one just as He and the Father are one.Sacred community is not casual. It is committed. It is marked by shared responsibility, mutual care, and deep respect for both God and one another. In this kind of community, no one is overlooked, no one is uninvolved, and no one walks alone.This is what God created us for. And when we live this way, Scripture tells us that each day the Lord adds to the fellowship those who are being saved.Not because of programs.Not because of performance.But because love like that cannot be ignored.

Transfiguration Sunday Sermon: Open Mouth, Insert FootScripture: Matthew 17:1-9Life doesn't just overwhelm us with busy schedules—it also trips us up in what we say and how quickly we react. We speak before we think, rush to explain, and try to manage holy moments with our own words. In Matthew 17:1–9, Peter does exactly that on the mountaintop, blurting out a response in the middle of God's glory. And honestly? We've all been there.In this Sunday's sermon, “Open Mouth, Insert Foot,” we'll explore this powerful moment of the Transfiguration and what it teaches us about listening, humility, and letting God be God. When the disciples want to do something, God invites them simply to listen to Jesus. Join us as we reflect on how often our words get ahead of our faith—and how Christ gently calls us to quiet our voices, open our hearts, and pay attention to what truly matters.Worship Schedule 8:45am: Contemporary Service10am: Sunday School11am: Traditional Service

Pastor Will challenges the idea that purpose is something we must find. In Matthew 4, Jesus shows that purpose comes through following him in everyday life. Fulfillment grows over time as we walk with Christ and others, allowing him to transform ordinary work and relationships. Purpose isn't discovered through pressure or perfection—it's revealed through faithfully following Jesus together each day.

When we observe how God has caused and allowed history to unfold, so much of it seems unlikely. Why those people? Why those circumstances? In Matthew 15, we see an unlikely conversation and an unlikely result, but our perspective is not God's. May we always remember that God's mode of operating is different from ours; his way is mercy.  

Exploring the Connection Between Matthew 16 and Nehemiah For BibleInTen.com - By DH, 14th February 2026 Welcome back to Bible in Ten! Today, we have another bonus episode as our daily commentary from CG at the Superior Word rounds off Matthew Chapter 16. Matthew's Gospel contains 28 chapters, and remarkably, it mirrors the first 28 books of the Old Testament as arranged in the Christian Bible. So in this episode, having considered Matthew 16, we'll now look at its fascinating counterpart: Book 16 of the Old Testament-Nehemiah. Nehemiah (נְחֶמְיָה / Nechemyah) means “Yah comforts.” That is appropriate because the whole book is comfort through restoration after judgment. Nehemiah functions as a historical “control text,” showing an established covenant pattern that Matthew 16 then re-presents prophetically (while still being literal history in Jesus' life, confirmed by the other Gospel writers).  Isn't the Word of God Amazing?! Let us now take a look at 12 connections which which support the summary of the chapter as detailed in the previous episode.     Unlike pairings between Matthew 14 with 2 Chronicles—where the correspondence spans a wider sweep of history across multiple dispensational stages—the Matthew 16 / Nehemiah pairing is compressed into a narrower prophetic frame (the tribulation-period restoration conflict) and does not proceed step by step.  The lack of a perfectly locked step-by-step sequence is itself instructive.   In Matthew 14 the picture maps a long, ordered panorama where chronology matters as it spans events across Israel's history from the dispensation of law to and prophetic future carries a clearer, more sequential structure. .. But in the Matthew 16 / Nehemiah pairing—focused on the tribulation—Scripture is not chiefly giving a detailed internal timetable; it is giving the shape of the period.   So lets turn to that shape now with these 12 steps. A Demand for a Sign and the First Opposition Matthew 16 opens with the Pharisees and Sadducees coming together to test Jesus, demanding a “sign from heaven.” It is leadership pressure-religious power trying to control the terms. Nehemiah opens with the same kind of pressure appearing as soon as restoration is announced. When Nehemiah arrives with authorization to rebuild, opposition rises immediately: Sanballat and Tobiah are “grieved” that someone came to seek Israel's good (Nehemiah 2:10). They then laugh and scorn: “What is this thing that ye do?” (2:19) The pattern is consistent: when God moves to restore, the entrenched powers demand proof, challenge legitimacy, and attempt to intimidate the work before it begins. “You Can Read the Sky… But Not the Times” Jesus says they can interpret the sky, but they cannot discern “the signs of the times.” The irony is that the very men claiming insight are the ones blind to what God is doing. Nehemiah carries that same irony in restoration form. The enemies act as if they understand the situation and control the outcome—mocking, threatening, and plotting as though the work will collapse on their schedule. But they do not know what's really happening. Their blindness shows in this: they only learn after the fact that their plan has been uncovered. In Nehemiah —“when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought…” (Nehemiah 4:15). They thought they were the ones reading the moment, but they were misreading it completely. The builders knew; the enemies did not. And once the plot was exposed, the intimidation lost its power and the work continued. The Sign of Judgment Remembered With the coming of the end times, the leaders of Israel would be expected to understand the situation they are in—but in Matthew 16 they are shown as unable to read it. Jesus calls them “wicked and adulterous” and says no sign will be given except “the sign of the prophet Jonah.” In the previous episode we learned that, Jonah's “Yet forty days” becomes a prophetic template—forty as judgment time—fulfilled in the temple's destruction about forty years after Christ, and then the long exile that followed. The end-times petition is therefore not, “wait for a new sign,” but: look back, read your history through Scripture, and believe. Nehemiah begins with that same mechanism already in place. The “sign” is not in the sky; it is in the city. Jerusalem stands as a covenant witness—broken, burned, and shamed: “the wall of Jerusalem… broken down, and the gates… burned with fire” (Nehemiah 1:3). And crucially, Nehemiah interprets that ruin as meaning—he does not treat it as mere geopolitics. He confesses, “We have dealt very corruptly… and have not kept the commandments” (1:7), and he appeals to what God had already spoken in the Scriptures about scattering for unfaithfulness and gathering upon repentance (1:8-9). Matthew 16 points Israel to a coming historical sign—temple judgment—meant to force a right reading of Scripture and history. Nehemiah opens with an earlier historical sign—Jerusalem in ruins—meant to do the same. In both cases, the issue is not that God failed to leave evidence. The issue is whether the people will stop being “clueless,” read the sign correctly, internalize what it says about their covenant state, and then return to the Lord in true faith. Crossing Over: From Exile-Space to Covenant-Space The movement across the sea of Galilee (and thus the Jordan-line running through it) pictured a spiritual boundary-those “on the other side” needing to come through Christ. Nehemiah is structured around a grand “crossing” of its own: movement from Persia and the regions “beyond the river” into the land where God's name was set. The restoration work begins when Nehemiah leaves the place of worldly security and goes to the place of covenant accountability. Beware the Leaven: Corrupt Influence Inside the People In Matthew 16, Jesus warns of the “leaven” of the Pharisees and Sadducees—doctrine and influence that works invisibly, spreading through the whole lump until everything is affected. The disciples first think He is speaking about bread, but Jesus corrects them: the danger is not what you eat, but what you absorb. Nehemiah gives a historical picture of that same leaven-principle. The enemy does not remain at the gate. He aims for infiltration—to become familiar, acceptable, even respected within the restored community. During the rebuilding, Nehemiah notes that the nobles were already entangled: “For many in Judah were pledged to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shechaniah the son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah.” (Nehemiah 6:18). The leaven isn't merely threat from outside; it is sympathy and alliance forming inside—compromise that feels normal because it comes through “our own people.” And when that leaven is left unchecked, it advances from relationships to residence. In Nehemiah 13, Tobiah is not simply corresponding with leaders—he is granted an actual chamber in the temple precincts (Nehemiah 13:4-9). The unclean influence in its mature form, so that what begins as tolerated association ends as sanctioned presence. This is exactly the warning Matthew 16 carries forward. Don't misread the matter as “bread,” as though the issue were external details. The real danger is the teaching, the partnerships, the slow drift—leavened thinking that spreads through the body while everyone tells themselves nothing serious is happening, until the holy space itself is compromised. Power, Pride, and the Military Temptation Caesarea Philippi was highlighted as a picture-space: Caesar as deified man; Philippi as leaning on the “horse” principle-military pride. Nehemiah's rebuilding occurs under constant threat. The people must be armed while they build.  They work with one hand and hold a weapon with the other (Nehemiah 4:17-18). But Nehemiah carefully frames this: the sword is not their salvation. Their security is God, and vigilance is obedience. Necessary defense exists, but pride in defense is a snare. The people are restored, yet always at risk of trusting the wall more than the Lord. “Who Do You Say That I Am?” and the Community's Confession In Matthew 16, we have the God assisted confession: “You are the Christ.” Nehemiah contains an extended sequence where Israel is restored not merely by masonry but by identity-confession through God's Word: “So they read from the Book of the Law of God, explaining it and giving insight, so that the people could understand what was being read.” (Nehemiah 8:8). This leads into confession of sin and confession of God's faithfulness (Nehemiah 9). In the Matthew framework: end-times Jews become true “hearers”- not merely readers of signs, but confessors of what the signs meant. 8. Kingdom-Order, and Covenant Enrollment In Matthew 16, everything turns on identity and confession. Israel can offer many assessments of Jesus—prophet, teacher, threat—but the end-times remnant is identified as those who follow Peter's confession: “You are the Christ.” After this, Jesus blesses Peter with a name that ties back to the only sign granted—Bar-Jonah, “son of Jonah.” In other words, Peter typifies the Jews who have heard the sign of Jonah, interpreted their own history rightly, and therefore confess the Messiah they once missed. That confession marks them out as the out-called, and it is on that proclamation that Christ speaks of kingdom entry—the granting of the keys. Nehemiah provides an Old Covenant “control text” for that same movement: a remnant comes to understanding, confession, and then formalized belonging. After the Scriptures are read and the national confession is made (Nehemiah 8-9), the people do not remain in mere emotion or general agreement. They move into enrollment—a defined act of covenant identity: “And because of all this, we make a sure covenant and write it; our leaders, our Levites, and our priests seal it” (Nehemiah 9:38; detailed in chapter 10). Names are written. Allegiance is publicly owned. Commitments and boundaries are stated. And the Hebrew meaning of these written names themselves bear connection to tribulation period events described in Revelation. In typology terms, Nehemiah shows a keys-of-the-kingdom counterpart in historical form, a concrete act of authorized inclusion into a defined covenant community. As Bar-Jonah represents those who finally hear and identify the true Messiah, the sealed covenant in Nehemiah represents those who finally own and enter the restored order. 9. A Messiah Who Must Suffer: The Offense of God's Way In Matthew 16, Peter stumbles over the suffering plan. The moment Jesus speaks openly about rejection, suffering, and death, Peter tries to correct Him—and Jesus rebukes him sharply. The warning is against demanding a triumphant, expectation-shaped messiah while rejecting the true Messiah as God presents Him—first crucified, then glorified. Nehemiah provides the historical control picture of that same offense. Restoration there advances through obedience under scorn. The workers are mocked (Nehemiah 4:1-3), threatened (4:7-8), and worn down by discouragement (4:10). Yet the work moves forward because they refuse the “easy” path of retreat, silence, or compromise. That is the typological connection: Peter's impulse—“this shall not happen to You”—is the human instinct to reject a deliverance that comes through suffering. Nehemiah's remnant models the opposite posture: they accept that God often brings vindication after humiliation.   10. Deny Yourself: The Cost of Faithfulness Under Pressure In Matthew 16, Jesus' call to deny yourself is not abstract spirituality—it is a demand for costly allegiance. In the end-times picture drawn, it means refusing the survival-instinct that compromises truth, and choosing fidelity to Christ even when it carries temporary loss. Nehemiah provides a clear historical control of that same principle. He refuses the governor's allowance—he will not enrich himself at the people's expense: “I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor” (Nehemiah 5:14-19).  In both cases the work of God is advanced by those willing to serve faithfully even when they could have claimed their rights. Vindication: God's Work Revealed Before Enemies Matthew 16 ends with the thought of the Son of Man coming in glory with His messengers-a public unveiling of reality. Nehemiah contains a miniature version of that unveiling: The wall is finished, and the enemies “perceived that this work was wrought of our God” (Nehemiah 6:15-16). The point is the pattern: endurance, completion, public recognition that God did it, not man. What is done in faith is later shown to have been of God. A Remnant Standing at the End Some will make it through the tribulation without tasting death when they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom. In Nehemiah, the “standing remnant” idea is stated in the narrative milestones that mark survival through the entire pressure campaign to the realized outcome. They survive to completion: “So the wall was finished…” (Nehemiah 6:15). They survive the intimidation campaign and remain in place: after the plot is exposed and collapses, the work continues and the enemies are put to shame (Nehemiah 6:16). They transition from building under threat to ordered life in the city: once the wall is finished, “the doors were set up,” gatekeepers and Levites are appointed, and watch is established (Nehemiah 7:1-3). They are still there as a gathered people at the end of the building phase: “all Israel dwelt in their cities… and all the people gathered themselves together as one man” (Nehemiah 7:73-8:1). They move from completion to public dedication: “at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem…” (Nehemiah 12:27), culminating in corporate worship and rejoicing (Nehemiah 12:43). Nehemiah doesn't just end with “a wall.” It ends with a preserved community—still present, still assembled, moving from survival under pressure (6:15-16) into established order (7:1-3), unified gathering (7:73-8:1), and dedication/worship (12:27, 43). So the narrative picture of a remnant standing is explicit: some make it through, and they stand in what God established. CONCLUSION: Why This is Controlled Typology In Nehemiah, the question is: Will the returned people truly become God's people again-by truth, separation, and covenant fidelity-rather than by mere structure? In Matthew 16, the question becomes sharper and final: Will Israel discern what their own history meant, reject leavened leadership, confess the true Messiah, accept the suffering plan, and endure to the kingdom? Nehemiah gives the Old Covenant restoration pattern in history. Matthew 16 gives the New Covenant restoration petition in prophecy-picture-centered entirely on Jesus: who He is, what He must do, and what His people must endure in the tribulation period. Nehemiah rebuilds a wall around a city.  Matthew 16 reveals the confession upon which Christ builds His out-calling. Lord God, we thank You for Your word-holy, faithful, and true. Give us discernment for the times we live in. Guard us from leaven-quiet compromise, false teaching, and fear-driven counsel that sounds spiritual but serves another master.  Strengthen us to bear reproach, to deny ourselves, and to endure faithfully until Your purposes are complete.  And may all our confidence rest not in walls, not in strength, not in man-but in the name of the Lord our God. Amen.

Saturday, 14 February 2026   Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” Matthew 16:28   “Amen! I say to you that they are some of those having stood here who not they should taste death until if they should see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” (CG).   In the previous verse, Jesus told His disciples that the Son of Man is about to come in His kingdom, and then He will give each according to his practice. He next says, “Amen! I say to you that they are some of those having stood here.”   The Greek verb is a perfect participle. As can be seen, the NKJV fails to properly elucidate this, saying, “some standing here.” In fact, one would be hard-pressed to find a translation that accurately translates the verb. Instead, they rely on a present tense or present participle rendering. But Jesus' words indicate a completed action, the results of which are still present or relevant, “having stood here.” The same perfect participle is found in the same context in Mark 9:1. Combined with the words, “some...here,” this limits the scope of what is said to those present. Of those referred to, Jesus next says they are those “who not they should taste death.”   A new word is seen, geuomai, to taste. It is used figuratively here to indicate experiencing. It is aorist subjunctive, viewing the whole as a single completed event. In other words, these will not experience death, “until if they should see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”   The meaning of this is widely debated. Is this referring to the transfiguration? Does this speak of the resurrection? Is it the beginning of the church at Pentecost? Is it the destruction of the temple in AD70? Is it referring to the millennial kingdom? And so on. Each of these has its supporters. For example, some believe that Jesus' words in John 21:22 mean that John is still alive and he will be one of the two witnesses. One of several problems with that is that the two witnesses will be killed before the Son of Man returns. Further, Jesus' words in Matthew 16:28 are plural, indicating more than one person. One of many problems with the destruction of the temple view is that Jesus didn't return in AD70. If He did, other words of Jesus would be a complete failure, such as Matthew 24:27.   There is no record of such an event, something that would not be lacking. That is an unbiblical attempt by preterists to dismiss any future prophecy, including the restoration of national Israel as a literal, historical event.   The problem with the Pentecost view is that it was the Holy Spirit, not Jesus, who came upon the people in Acts 2. To conflate the meaning of one with the other is stretching the text like a rubber band, which will eventually snap. As for the resurrection view, as Jesus was not in a glorified state at the resurrection, that also seems to be a stretch of the intent.   The account that is noted next at the beginning of Matthew 17 follows in the same manner in all three synoptic gospels, which is a strong hint that tells us that the transfiguration is what Jesus is referring to. It is a kingdom foretaste for the benefit of the disciples. As it is recorded in the word, it is thus provided as a benefit for all.   This glorified state was then viewed by John when he received the book of Revelation, including Jesus' return in Revelation 19. For a fuller and more complete explanation of the details of Matthew 16, please continue reading the life application section of this commentary.   Life application: Chapter 16 of Matthew is a passage that petitions the Jews of the end times to consider who Jesus is based on their own history, comparing it to how He is portrayed in Scripture.   In verse 1, Jesus was approached by the Pharisees and Sadducees, who asked for a sign from heaven. As in Chapter 15, these types of men represent the same thinking and paradigm as the rabbis of Israel today. Jesus told them that they could read the signs in the sky, but they could not discern the signs of the times.   With the coming of the end times, the Jews of Israel would naturally be expected to understand the situation they are in, but they will be clueless about the matter. In verse 4, Jesus said that the generation was wicked and adulterous, something akin to what Peter calls the Jews who rejected Jesus in Acts 2:40. Jesus continued that no sign would be given to it, except the sign of the prophet Jonah.   As explained, the sign of the prophet Jonah is the destruction of the temple, it being a year for a day based on Jonah's proclamation, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.”   In the end times, the Jews will have to look to their Scriptures, understand that their temple was destroyed and they were exiled for rejecting Jesus, internalize this truth, and then have faith in Him based on that.   As an explanation of the doctrine of faith in the Messiah, in verse 5, the disciples went across the Sea of Galilee. As such, they crossed the Jordan because the Jordan runs through the sea. Being on the other (east) side signifies those who have not come through Christ to be saved. Jesus told them in verse 6 to take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees. They thought He was talking about bread. But He corrected them by recapping the miracles of feeding the five thousand and the four thousand.   These miracles, anticipating the salvation of Jews and Gentiles, testify to His being the Messiah. What He was warning them about was the doctrine of those false teachers, not about bread. Their doctrine is to be equated with the false doctrine of the rabbis and other law teachers of the end times who have returned to law observance, temple worship, etc. It is a warning that the end times Jews are not to follow those Satan-led examples. Faith in Jesus, as represented by the feeding of the masses, is what brings restoration with God.   In verse 13, it is noted that Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi. Caesarea is derived from Caesar. The idea of being a Caesar is the deification of the individual. He is attributed a god-like status. Philippi is from Philip, a lover of horses. But in Scripture, a horse is metaphorically used as a source of military pride –   “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.” Psalm 20:7   Abarim rightly defines Philippi with the lengthy paraphrase, They Who Lean On Their Military Complex. It is exactly the source of pride that Israel of today is heading towards. Their military superiority is their source of pride and is exalted to god-like status. This will only increase after the battle of Gogd/Magog.   It is in this prefigured end-times state that Jesus asks them who He is. The various answers are answers you could expect from Jews. Jesus was a prophet (or false prophet) or whatever. However, Simon Peter proclaims Him the Christ. What was Jesus' response? “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah.”   The same name that was acknowledged as the sign in verse 4 is now noted by Jesus. He is Simon (Hearer) Son of Jonah. In other words, he represents the Jews who have understood (heard) the sign of Jonah. To be a son signifies identity. The end times Jews who acknowledge Jesus as the Christ are “sons of Jonah,” because they have made the connection by understanding the sign. In essence, “We missed Him when He came, but we know now who He is.”   It is on this proclamation that Jesus will build His out-calling of those in the end times. They will receive the keys to the kingdom of the heavens, entering into the millennial reign of Christ. In verse 21, Jesus spoke of His destiny to suffer and die. Peter's words of admonishment stirred Jesus to turn His back on him, call him Satan, and tell him he was not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.   It is a warning to the end times Jews that they are to accept a crucified Savior as the role of the Messiah. Israel looked, and still looks, for a conquering Messiah, but His role as the crucified Messiah is what God highlights in Him more than all else.   From there, Jesus told the disciples the words about denying themselves and losing their souls in order to save their souls. The thought is "losing their souls (meaning their lives) in order to save their souls."  It is exactly what is seen in Revelation –   “Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.” Revelation 14:9, 10  &   “And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God.” Revelation 15:2   In verse 27, it said, “For the Son of Man is about to come in His Father's glory with His messengers.” This is exactingly described in Revelation 19:11 –   “And I saw the heaven having been opened. And you behold! Horse, white! And the ‘sitting upon it' being called ‘Faithful and True,' and in righteousness He judges, and He battles” (CG).   Jesus is coming in His Father's glory. In Matthew 24, it notes that in the end times, He will send out His angels (Greek: messengers) to gather His elect.   The final verse of the chapter then said, “Amen! I say to you, that they are some of those having stood here who not they will taste death until if they should see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” Again, this is exactly what occurs in Revelation. Some of the end times Jews will make it through the entire tribulation, not seeing death until they behold Jesus coming in His kingdom.   These things are gleaned from Matthew 16, forming a picture of what is coming in the future for Israel.   Lord God, how precious it is to know that You will not reject Israel, even when the whole world is imploding, You will be with them and carry them as a people through the tribulation and into the time promised to them so long ago. Thank You for Your covenant faithfulness, even to those of us who fail You constantly. Amen. Matthew 16   16 And having approached, the Pharisees and Sadducees, testing, they queried Him to show them a sign from heaven. 2And answering, He said to them, “Evening having come, you say, ‘Good weather!', for the heaven, it is red, 3and early, ‘This day... inclemency!', for glowering, the heaven, it reddens. Hypocrites! Indeed, you know to discern the face of the heaven, and the seasons' signs, not you can. 4Generation – evil and adulteress – it seeks a sign, and a sign – not it will be given it – if not the sign of Jonah the prophet.” And having left them, He departed.   5And His disciples, having come to the beyond, they overlooked to take bread. 6And Jesus, He said to them, “You behold, and you caution from the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”   7And they deliberated in themselves, saying, “Because not we took bread!” 8And Jesus, having known, said to them, “Why – you deliberate in yourselves, little-faithed? Because you took no bread? 9You grasp, not yet, nor you recollect the five loaves – the five thousand, and how many handbaskets you took? 10Nor the seven loaves – the four thousand, and how many hampers you took? 11How not you recollect that I spoke not concerning bread to you! Caution from the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12Then they comprehended that not He said to caution from the leaven – the bread, but from the teaching – the Pharisees and Sadducees.   13And Jesus, having come to the allotments – Caesarea, the Phillipi, He entreated His disciples, saying, “Whom they say, the men, Me to be, the Son of Man?”   14And they said, “These, indeed, John the Immerser, and others Elijah, and others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”   15He says to them, “And you, whom you say Me to be?”   16And answering, Simon Peter, he said, “You, You are the Christ, the Son of God, the living.”   17And Jesus, answering, He said to him, “Blessed you are, Simon, Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood not it revealed to you, but My Father, the ‘in the heavens'.” 18And I also, I say to you that you, you are Peter, and upon this – the Rock – I will build My out-calling, and Hades' gates, not they will overpower her. 19And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of the heavens. And whatever, if you may bind upon the earth, it will be ‘having been bound' in the heavens. And whatever, if you may loosen upon the earth, it will be ‘having been loosed' in the heavens.” 20Then He enjoined His disciples that they should say to none that He, He is Jesus the Christ.   21From then He began, Jesus, to show His disciples that it necessitates Him to depart to Jerusalem and to suffer many from the elders, and chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be roused.   22And Peter, having clutched Him, he began to admonish Him, saying, “Propitious, to You, Lord! No, not it will be, this to You!”   23And, having turned, He said to Peter, “You withdraw behind Me, Satan! Snare, you are, to Me. For you think not these of God but these of men.”   24The Jesus, He said to His disciples, “If any, he desires to come after Me, let him disown himself, and he took his cross, and he follows Me. 25For whoever, if he may desire to save his soul, he will lose it. And whoever, if he may lose his soul because of Me, he will find it. 26For what it benefits a man if he may gain the whole world and he may lose his soul? Or what will he give, man, equivalent his soul? 27For the Son of Man is about to come in His Father's glory with His messengers. And then He will give each according to his practice. 28Amen! I say to you, that they are some of those having stood here who not they will taste death until if they should see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

In Matthew 4:18–22, the first disciples immediately leave their nets to follow Jesus. This 2 Minute Disciple devotional challenges us to respond to God's call without delay, taking a “Step Now” toward obedience today.

In this message, we explore how money (mammon) competes for our devotion, fuels worry, and shapes the architecture of our hearts—and how Jesus invites us into freedom through trust and generosity! What truly has your heart—God or money? In Matthew 6, Jesus delivers one of His clearest and most challenging teachings: “No one can serve two masters.” Nothing good happens when you try to do what two bosses are telling you at the same time. Generosity is not just a behavior, but a response to who God is: a good, generous Father. From the nature of God Himself to the everyday practices that shape our hearts. Is money a tool in your hands—or a master on the throne of your heart?

In Matthew 4:13–16, Jesus fulfills Isaiah's prophecy as the great light shining in the darkness. This 2 Minute Disciple devotional invites us to let His light shine into our lives and reflect it to others through even the smallest acts of kindness.

In Matthew 6:25 Jesus says, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough.”...

I was on my walk at the community college campus when a woman gave me an envelope with the label “John Daniels, Sr. Random Act of Kindness Day.” My eyes widened when I looked inside and saw a twenty-dollar bill and two leaflets with messages about Jesus. A year earlier, John had been fatally struck by a car after helping a homeless man and sharing words about Christ’s love with him. John’s legacy of witnessing through words and deeds lives on through the woman I met that day, along with John's other family members. In Matthew 26:13, one woman was memorialized by Jesus with these words: “Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” The woman’s tender heart for Christ compelled her to anoint Him with expensive ointment (v. 7). What was misunderstood and criticized by others as wasteful (vv. 8-9) was commended by Jesus as “a beautiful thing” (v. 10). The woman’s costly devotion was used by God in a unique way, just as He uses our deeds today for His purposes. The envelope I received reinforced my desire to distribute resources to those on the street corners in my city, but honoring Jesus can happen in a variety of ways. Let’s tell others about Him and demonstrate His love practically.

In Matthew 7, Jesus tells us exactly how to know if we're going to fall or stand in the storms of life. Receiving and accepting the word of God is necessary… but doing what God says - following Him and obeying His word is where true life and wisdom begins! It's simple: If God says it - do it! -----Official WebsiteInstagramTwitterFacebook

Life can feel overwhelming, but God's got you. Today's message explores how Jesus calls us to trust Him above our worries and earthly concerns. In Matthew 6:19–34 we are reminded that God knows our needs and invites us to seek His kingdom first.  By focusing on eternal priorities rather than temporary worries, we can experience His steadfast care and perfect peace. We also uncover how trusting in God's timing, relying on His care, and finding rest in His promises can help diminish fear— even when life feels uncertain. Listen in and discover how trusting God with your daily needs, big and small, brings a peace that truly surpasses understanding.Follow Crossroads Women's Ministry on Facebook or Instagram at go2crossroadswomens.If you'd like more information about Crossroads Community Church, find us on any social platform @go2crossroads.

A king sends his humble son to teach the people the heart behind the law — love, forgiveness, restoration, and compassion. Some welcome him. Others think they already understand everything. In Matthew 9, Yeshua calls a tax collector, eats with sinners, and challenges the religious: “Go and learn what this means — I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” Messiah comes not to affirm what we know, but to teach us what we've missed. He calls the outsiders, confronts the insiders, and invites all of us to follow, to unlearn if necessary, and to become teachable again. Because the kingdom of God isn't built on experts — it's built on learners. Check out our latest sermon from Rabbi David, “Go and Learn” based on the New Covenant parsha.     #besorah #podcast #tikvatisrael #RVA #messianic #synagogue #judaism #yeshua #Matthew #parasha #parsha

What does it really mean to live well? In a world that equated the "good life" with success, comfort, and self-fulfillment, Jesus offers a surprising invitation. In Matthew chapter 5, Jesus redefines blessing and shows us a better way to live. This series explores how the upside-down wisdom of Jesus leads us to truly experience "The Good Life".       Westbridge Church is people helping people FIND and FOLLOW JESUS! We believe that no matter where you are in your faith, there's always a next step you can take to grow in your relationship with God. As a church, we are committed to continually growing and encouraging others to grow in their faith, connect in community, share God's grace, serve others, live generously, and have serious fun along the way.   Learn more: https://westbridgechurch.com/ Connect with us: https://linktr.ee/westbridgechurchmn Current worship: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2lpxmpwwtzhkeebpp8frhihttp://spotify.com/playlist/2lpxmpwwtzhkeebpp8frhi

Faith doesn't stop with saying yes to Jesus – it grows, multiplies, and spreads. In Matthew 28, Jesus calls us not just to follow Him, but to make disciples who love what He loves. In this message Pastor Mark talks about what it looks like to train the found, invest in others, and live on mission – so that our faith doesn't just touch us, it changes the world.

In Matthew 11:12, Jesus speaks a warning that has echoed through centuries of empire, fear, and religious violence. This episode sits with that warning slowly, remembering that Jesus spoke as a refugee in a colonized land, not as a ruler offering control. Together, we explore how the kin-dom is seized, how it is defended, and how it is quietly refused. This is not a call to certainty, but an invitation to discernment, courage, and faithful restraint.Check out the full article here:Genetically Modified Skeptic: Evangelical Christianity Is Literally a PSYOPDrew's Channel: Our Evangelical Christian Universities Were CIA Assets?Thanks for reading! This post is public so feel free to share it.Thank you for Tips / Donations: * https://ko-fi.com/cedorsett * https://patreon.com/cedorsett * https://cash.app/$CreationsPaths* Substack: https://www.creationspaths.com/New to The Seraphic Grove learn more For Educational Resource: https://wisdomscry.com Creation's Paths: A Creation Spirituality Primer Social Connections: * BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/creationspaths.com * Threads https://www.threads.net/@creationspaths * Instagram https://www.instagram.com/creationspaths/#JesusAndEmpire #KinDomOfGod #CreationSpirituality #Christopagan #NonviolentFaith #LiberationTheology #SpiritualResistance #RefusingEmpireChapters:00:00 Introduction: The Temptation of Jesus01:48 Welcome & Series Overview03:41 The Cost of Power04:55 The Woes: Wealth & Isolation11:03 The Experience of Being Alive13:19 Doc's Story: Community Over Wealth16:44 Setting Boundaries, Not Battles17:49 Modern Examples: Evangelical Universities & the CIA21:47 The Spirit of Antichrist23:45 True Greatness: Being a Slave to All24:31 Refusal as True Power25:43 Practice: Notice Where Power Tightens You29:06 Closing Prayer Get full access to Creation's Paths at www.creationspaths.com/subscribe

Did you know Hell has gates? Week 4 of Gates focuses on "The Gate of Fear" and how fear tries to trap believers and keep them from God's best. In Matthew 16 and Matthew 14, Jesus reveals who He is and calls His followers to trust Him beyond human reasoning and anxious "what ifs." The message contrasts godly fear, which produces reverence, faith, and peace, with worldly fear, which creates anxiety, doubt, and paralysis. When we know who Christ is and fix our minds on God's promises, we can walk in faith, overcome worry, and live with power, love, and a sound mind.

In Matthew 9, Jesus collides head-on with a religious system that knew how to label people but had no power to restore them. Tax collectors, sinners, the sick, the ceremonially unclean, the blind, and the demonized were all considered beyond hope by Pharisaical Judaism. Their suffering was seen as deserved, their condition permanent, and their future sealed. But Jesus does something shocking. He calls Matthew out of a condemned identity. He eats with sinners the system had already judged. He corrects fasting that was rooted in religious performance rather than relationship. He restores a woman who had been isolated for twelve years because her body didn't work. He responds to Jairus, who risks his position and reputation by turning to the very Messiah the establishment rejected. He opens the eyes of blind men who see Him clearly while the religious leaders remain blind. And He delivers a demonized man whom the system could not help and instead accused. Matthew 9 reveals a powerful truth. Religious systems focus on outward conformity but cannot change the heart. They demand performance, enforce masks, and leave people trapped in hopeless cycles of behavior. Jesus does not come to repair that system. He fulfills the Mosaic Law and exposes Pharisaical Judaism as bankrupt, replacing it with a kingdom marked by mercy, restoration, and real transformation from the inside out. The question this passage leaves us with is simple but unsettling. Are we living under a system that teaches us to perform and pretend, or are we following a Savior who restores what religion has rejected? Hashtags #Matthew9 #JesusRestores #RejectedByReligion #GraceOverPerformance #GospelTruth #Kingdo

In Matthew 9, Jesus collides head-on with a religious system that knew how to label people but had no power to restore them. Tax collectors, sinners, the sick, the ceremonially unclean, the blind, and the demonized were all considered beyond hope by Pharisaical Judaism. Their suffering was seen as deserved, their condition permanent, and their future sealed. But Jesus does something shocking. He calls Matthew out of a condemned identity. He eats with sinners the system had already judged. He corrects fasting that was rooted in religious performance rather than relationship. He restores a woman who had been isolated for twelve years because her body didn't work. He responds to Jairus, who risks his position and reputation by turning to the very Messiah the establishment rejected. He opens the eyes of blind men who see Him clearly while the religious leaders remain blind. And He delivers a demonized man whom the system could not help and instead accused. Matthew 9 reveals a powerful truth. Religious systems focus on outward conformity but cannot change the heart. They demand performance, enforce masks, and leave people trapped in hopeless cycles of behavior. Jesus does not come to repair that system. He fulfills the Mosaic Law and exposes Pharisaical Judaism as bankrupt, replacing it with a kingdom marked by mercy, restoration, and real transformation from the inside out. The question this passage leaves us with is simple but unsettling. Are we living under a system that teaches us to perform and pretend, or are we following a Savior who restores what religion has rejected? Hashtags #Matthew9 #JesusRestores #RejectedByReligion #GraceOverPerformance #GospelTruth #KingdomOfGod #GreatPhysician #FromRejectionToRestoration #ChristianTeaching #BibleTeaching #JesusOverReligion

For Part 5 of our series, Jesus gives a clear and challenging warning: watch out—pay attention to the course you're setting, especially when it comes to giving, praying, and fasting. In Matthew 6, Jesus isn't calling us to secrecy for secrecy's sake; He's confronting our motives in a culture obsessed with visibility and presentation. God doesn't just reward what we do—He rewards why we do it. This message invites us to slow down, step out of performative spirituality, and rediscover the peace and power of a private life with God. From generosity that isn't tied to identity, to prayer that is relational not theatrical, to fasting that's unseen but deeply formative, we're reminded that the Father who sees in secret is shaping us, aligning us, and inviting us to enjoy real communion with Him—where something truly begins to happen. ______________________________________________________________________________________ NEW HERE? We'd love to connect with you. Text "NEW" to 323-405-3232 SERMON NOTES: www.bible.com/organizations/f223…-a8fc-3297da42c26a - Or Text: "SERMON" To: 323-405-3232 CONNECT WITH US: Hopeland Website: www.hopelandla.com Hopeland Podcast: @steinbot-519314947 Hopeland YouTube: www.youtube.com/@hopelandchurch Hopeland Facebook: @hopelandla Hopeland Instagram: @hopeland.church To support this ministry and help us continue to reach people with the gospel click here: hopelandla.com/give Or, choose a giving option here: - Venmo: @Hopeland-Church - CashApp: $HopelandChurch - Zelle: shawn@hopelandla.com - Text "Hopeland" to 833-767-5698

Faith looks to Jesus when despair would be easy.We often think of faith as something we must work up or conjure within ourselves. But what if faith is actually a response to being pursued? In Matthew 9:27-34, we read about Jesus healing two blind men who persistently pursued Him, followed by the healing of a mute man who needed to be brought to Jesus by others. In this sermon, we explore the beautiful truth that because Jesus pursues us first, we are free to pursue him in return.

Join us as we kick off our new sermon series, "WHO IS JESUS?" In Matthew 16, Jesus asks His disciples the most important question anyone will ever answer: “Who do you say I am?”Our answer to this question determines everything. How we live, how we worship, who we trust, and ultimately where we will spend eternity.Online resources: https://www.renovatethecity.com/

In Matthew 16:18, Jesus declares a cosmic declaration of war at Caesarea Philippi, a site steeped in pagan history and symbolizing the spiritual stronghold of evil, where Mount Hermon stood as the false counterpart to God's holy mountain. By stating He will build His church on this rock and that the gates of Hades will not prevail, Jesus announces His divine mission to overthrow the fallen angelic powers that have ruled the nations since the rebellion of Genesis 6 and the Tower of Babel, fulfilling the Old Testament vision of God reclaiming the earth from demonic dominion. This victory is secured through Christ's death, resurrection, and ascension, which disarmed and disgraced the spiritual rulers, enabling the church to be equipped with apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors to carry out the mission of evangelism as spiritual warfare. The church, therefore, is not merely a religious institution but the instrument of Christ's cosmic conquest, destined to one day rule with Him over the nations and judge the fallen angels, calling believers to live with eternal purpose, knowing they are part of a redemptive drama that began in Eden and will culminate in the restoration of all things.

Modern dating promises romance without responsibility and connection without covenant. Yet Scripture tells a very different story about love, commitment, and what marriage is actually for. In Ephesians 5:25–32, we see that marriage is not built on emotional compatibility but on sacrificial love that reflects Christ's devotion to the Church. In Matthew 7:24–27, Jesus reminds us that only what is built on obedience to God can survive the storms of life.This message explores how today's dating culture trains people to protect themselves instead of giving themselves, to sample love instead of commit to it, and to chase feelings instead of building foundations. But marriage was never designed to serve our comfort. It was designed to shape our character. Marriage is where God trains your love by testing your self-centeredness.Through covenant, sacrifice, forgiveness, and daily choosing one another, God uses marriage to make us more like Christ. If modern dating is forming people who avoid commitment, avoid sacrifice, and avoid accountability, then it is quietly sabotaging tomorrow's marriages.This message calls us back to God's blueprint for love, a love that is built to last because it is built on Him.

In Matthew's version of the Sermon on The Mount, Jesus discusses his followers being "salt" and "light". What did Jesus mean by these terms? Fr. Kubicki explains more on today's reflection.

In Matthew 19:1–12, Jesus is tested with a loaded question about divorce—meant to trap Him in the cultural debates of the day. But instead of arguing loopholes, Jesus brings everyone back to the beginning: God's intent for marriage, the sacredness of covenant faithfulness, and what it means to live with integrity when preference and discipleship collide. This message explores how Jesus reframes the conversation from “What am I allowed to do?” to “What is God forming me to become?”—and why marriage (and singleness) is ultimately about reflecting the faithfulness of God in a preference-driven world. Whether married or single, we're invited into a deeper kind of fidelity: a life shaped by the gospel, not by cultural permission structures.

Jesus doesn't avoid hard topics. In Matthew 5:27–32, He addresses desire, marriage, and divorce, inviting us to consider how God's design shapes our lives and relationships. Join us as we wrestle with Jesus' words and discover how truth, grace, and redemption meet us in real life.

Pastor Cheryl Lavornia invites us into the heart of Jesus' teachings on judgment, discernment, and love in the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 7:1-12, she teases apart what it means to “not judge” while still discerning wisely, warning against condemnation and the beam-in-the-eye mindset. She explores Jesus' pearls-to-pigs image, the rhythm of asking, seeking, knocking, and the invitation to live out the golden rule from the inside out. How might Jesus' wisdom reshape the way we relate—in our homes, our church, and our community—as we become more like him?

Most of us know what it feels like to live split—pulled between what we want, what people expect, and what we know God is asking of us. In Matthew 5:8, Jesus names a better way: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Not perfect hearts—whole hearts. We're talking about how the good life is an undivided life, and how a pure heart doesn't just “behave better,” it sees better—God in full, not in part. We'll look […] The post Pure in Heart appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church.

In Matthew 6:25–33, Jesus calls his followers out of the exhausting cycle of worry. He points to birds and lilies—creatures with no control over their future—yet God faithfully provides for them. If God cares for them, Jesus says, God will certainly care for us. Today's world is filled with anxiety—about money, politics, global events, safety, and personal well‑being. Even those with full closets and stocked kitchens feel overwhelmed. But Jesus offers a surprising antidote: shift your attention from worry to God's kingdom. The kingdom isn't a place but the lived reality of God's vision for the world—mercy, justice, peace, generosity, humility, and love. When we practice these things, our focus moves from fear to purpose, from scarcity to trust. This doesn't dismiss real mental‑health struggles, but it does challenge the everyday worries fueled by screens, comparison, and a sense of “never enough.” Jesus invites us not just to stop worrying but to start living in ways that align with God's dream for the world. And as we do, we discover that God truly gives us what we need.

In Matthew 3:11-12, John the Baptist was placing Jesus above himself. He was also prophesying of the future coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. Any one of use can have that Baptism with the fire of vision, consecration, purification, boldness, and revival. Join Pastor Dwayne as he takes us to that day and shows us what we too may experience.

What does Jesus really mean when He tells adults to become like children?In Matthew 18, Jesus completely redefines greatness—not as influence, perfection, or spiritual maturity—but as humility, trust, and childlike dependence on God. In our study today, we explore what it looks like to lay down pride, comparison, and self-reliance in order to behold God as our King with a surrendered heart.Together, we'll unpack:Why Jesus places a child in the center—and what that reveals about the Kingdom of HeavenThe difference between childlike faith and childish faithHow humility positions us to truly see and receive GodWhat it means to live under God's authority with trust rather than fearThis study invites us to unlearn what the world has taught us about power and success—and return to the posture Jesus honors most: a heart that kneels, trusts, and looks up.Matthew 18:3 “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”SEE THE KINGhttps://www.inseparableministries.org/ https://www.inseparableministries.org/event-calendar

In Matthew 8:26 Jesus asks, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” (NKJV). That's a good question. Sometimes...

In Matthew 6, Jesus warns, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth.” Does that mean Christians shouldn't set aside resources for future needs? On Truth For Life, Alistair Begg considers an Old Testament story that teaches something quite different. ----------------------------------------- • Click here and look for "FROM THE SERMON" to stream or read the full message. • This program is part of the series ‘The Hand of God, Volume 1' • Learn more about our current resource, request your copy with a donation of any amount. •Is death your greatest fear? Scripture teaches that it's not the end but a new beginning. Learn more and find comfort when you subscribe to a free 5-day email series on facing death with peace and hope by Alistair Begg. Request NOW Helpful Resources - Learn about God's salvation plan - Read our most recent articles - Subscribe to our daily devotional Follow Us YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter This listener-funded program features the clear, relevant Bible teaching of Alistair Begg. Today's program and nearly 3,000 messages can be streamed and shared for free at tfl.org thanks to the generous giving from monthly donors called Truthpartners. Learn more about this Gospel-sharing team or become one today. Thanks for listening to Truth For Life!

In Matthew 6, Jesus warns, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth.” Does that mean Christians shouldn't set aside resources for future needs? On Truth For Life, Alistair Begg considers an Old Testament story that teaches something quite different. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/163/29?v=20251111

In Matthew 8:26, Jesus asks his disciples, “Why are you afraid?” At first we wonder if he's serious, but he's...

What happens when the King of Kings gets publicly humiliated — and says nothing?In Matthew 27:27-30, Jesus is stripped, mocked, crowned with thorns, and beaten by Roman soldiers. It's brutal. It's degrading. And it's the scene most of us want to skip over.But this is where we see something we desperately need — the most powerful Being in the universe choosing silence over revenge. He could have destroyed every soldier in that room. He didn't. Not because He was weak. Because He trusted the Father's plan more than His own flesh wanted to fight back.In this episode, Alex and Lokelani walk through what Jesus' response in that moment teaches us about suffering, pride, and what it actually looks like to have real hope — not the kind the world sells you, but the kind that quiets your soul even when everything around you is falling apart.We also dig into Psalm 131 and 1 Peter 2:18-24 to unpack why staying in your lane isn't giving up — it's trusting God with the parts of life you can't control.If you've ever been mocked for your faith, overlooked for doing the right thing, or just felt like the good you're doing isn't being seen — this one is for you.

What if following Jesus isn't about learning more—but about leaving what's comfortable? Jesus begins His public ministry not from a place of striving, but from the Father's approval—and then He immediately goes to work. In Matthew 4, we see Jesus fulfill ancient prophecy, bring light into darkness, proclaim that the kingdom of heaven is here now, and call ordinary, unlikely people to join Him on a rescue mission for the world. This message challenges us to stop delaying the kingdom, to embody it by pushing back darkness with light, and to respond to Jesus' simple but costly invitation: “Follow Me.” From fishermen dropping their nets to crowds bringing their brokenness to Jesus, we're reminded that discipleship is not a spectator sport—it's a life of obedience, community, and mission. What might Jesus be asking you to lay down so you can take your next step of obedience?

In Matthew 24, Jesus said the beginning of sorrows for the Great Tribulation will be filled with famines, pestilence, and earthquakes. But long before Jesus spoke these words, David prophesied about these things in Psalm 2.

In Matthew 9:1–17, Jesus exposes the Kosmos, the world system built by man and energized by Satan, and shows why it inevitably rejects Him. Even after proving His divine authority by forgiving sins and healing the paralytic, the religious leaders respond with accusation rather than worship. Grace threatens their control. When Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector condemned by the religious elite, the system reacts with outrage instead of celebration. The Kosmos has no category for mercy, repentance, or redemption. It only knows exclusion and self-righteousness. Jesus then explains that He did not come to patch up Pharisaic Judaism or fit His teaching into a works-based religious mold. Using the imagery of garments and wine, He reveals that His mission cannot be mixed with man-made religion. The Torah is good, but the Pharisaical system had distorted it. He came to fulfill God's Law, not validate their traditions. This passage shows a timeless reality. The world system rejects Jesus because it cannot coexist with grace, and it will always reject those who follow Him as well. #Matthew9 #TheRejectionOfTheKosmos #JesusIsGod #GraceNotWorks #NewWineNewWineskins #Pharisaism #FulfillmentOfTorah #KingdomOfGod #BiblicalChristianity #GospelOfGrace #FollowJesus #FaithOverReligion

In Matthew 9:1–17, Jesus exposes the Kosmos, the world system built by man and energized by Satan, and shows why it inevitably rejects Him. Even after proving His divine authority by forgiving sins and healing the paralytic, the religious leaders respond with accusation rather than worship. Grace threatens their control. When Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector condemned by the religious elite, the system reacts with outrage instead of celebration. The Kosmos has no category for mercy, repentance, or redemption. It only knows exclusion and self-righteousness. Jesus then explains that He did not come to patch up Pharisaic Judaism or fit His teaching into a works-based religious mold. Using the imagery of garments and wine, He reveals that His mission cannot be mixed with man-made religion. The Torah is good, but the Pharisaical system had distorted it. He came to fulfill God's Law, not validate their traditions. This passage shows a timeless reality. The world system rejects Jesus because it cannot coexist with grace, and it will always reject those who follow Him as well. #Matthew9 #TheRejectionOfTheKosmos #JesusIsGod #GraceNotWorks #NewWineNewWineskins #Pharisaism #FulfillmentOfTorah #KingdomOfGod #BiblicalChristianity #GospelOfGrace #FollowJesus #FaithOverReligion

What happens when the King of Kings gets publicly humiliated — and says nothing?In Matthew 27:27-30, Jesus is stripped, mocked, crowned with thorns, and beaten by Roman soldiers. It's brutal. It's degrading. And it's the scene most of us want to skip over.But this is where we see something we desperately need — the most powerful Being in the universe choosing silence over revenge. He could have destroyed every soldier in that room. He didn't. Not because He was weak. Because He trusted the Father's plan more than His own flesh wanted to fight back.In this episode, Alex and Lokelani walk through what Jesus' response in that moment teaches us about suffering, pride, and what it actually looks like to have real hope — not the kind the world sells you, but the kind that quiets your soul even when everything around you is falling apart.We also dig into Psalm 131 and 1 Peter 2:18-24 to unpack why staying in your lane isn't giving up — it's trusting God with the parts of life you can't control.If you've ever been mocked for your faith, overlooked for doing the right thing, or just felt like the good you're doing isn't being seen — this one is for you.