Podcasts about matthew chapter

The post Day 28 – Matthew Chapter 28 appeared first on ENCOUNTER.

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From the introduction, "Matthew is quite plainly a Jew who has been convinced of Jesus' messianic claim... He attempts to convey a logical conviction that the new teaching was not only prophesied in the old but does in fact supersede it in the divine plan... It is being written at that distance in time from the great event where sober reflection and sturdy conviction can perhaps give a better balanced portrait of God's unique revelation of himself than could be given by those who were so close to the light that they were partly dazzled by it".

New Testament Bible Reading Plan – Audio Version The post Day 25 – Matthew Chapter 25 appeared first on ENCOUNTER.

From the introduction, "Matthew is quite plainly a Jew who has been convinced of Jesus' messianic claim... He attempts to convey a logical conviction that the new teaching was not only prophesied in the old but does in fact supersede it in the divine plan... It is being written at that distance in time from the great event where sober reflection and sturdy conviction can perhaps give a better balanced portrait of God's unique revelation of himself than could be given by those who were so close to the light that they were partly dazzled by it".

New Testament Bible Reading Plan – Audio Version The post Day 24 – Matthew Chapter 24 appeared first on ENCOUNTER.

From the introduction, "Matthew is quite plainly a Jew who has been convinced of Jesus' messianic claim... He attempts to convey a logical conviction that the new teaching was not only prophesied in the old but does in fact supersede it in the divine plan... It is being written at that distance in time from the great event where sober reflection and sturdy conviction can perhaps give a better balanced portrait of God's unique revelation of himself than could be given by those who were so close to the light that they were partly dazzled by it".

New Testament Bible Reading Plan – Audio Version The post Day 23 – Matthew Chapter 23 appeared first on ENCOUNTER.

From the introduction, "Matthew is quite plainly a Jew who has been convinced of Jesus' messianic claim... He attempts to convey a logical conviction that the new teaching was not only prophesied in the old but does in fact supersede it in the divine plan... It is being written at that distance in time from the great event where sober reflection and sturdy conviction can perhaps give a better balanced portrait of God's unique revelation of himself than could be given by those who were so close to the light that they were partly dazzled by it".

New Testament Bible Reading Plan – Audio Version The post Day 22 – Matthew Chapter 22 appeared first on ENCOUNTER.

From the introduction, "Matthew is quite plainly a Jew who has been convinced of Jesus' messianic claim... He attempts to convey a logical conviction that the new teaching was not only prophesied in the old but does in fact supersede it in the divine plan... It is being written at that distance in time from the great event where sober reflection and sturdy conviction can perhaps give a better balanced portrait of God's unique revelation of himself than could be given by those who were so close to the light that they were partly dazzled by it".

From the introduction, "Matthew is quite plainly a Jew who has been convinced of Jesus' messianic claim... He attempts to convey a logical conviction that the new teaching was not only prophesied in the old but does in fact supersede it in the divine plan... It is being written at that distance in time from the great event where sober reflection and sturdy conviction can perhaps give a better balanced portrait of God's unique revelation of himself than could be given by those who were so close to the light that they were partly dazzled by it".

The pace of the world continues to accelerate. Unfortunately, often with that speed, discernment is lost. Speed mixed with fear can lead to violence. God's moving in the world is slow. When we move at the speed of God, leadership can be shaped by grace. When we are overwhelmed by fear, the appropriate response is to slow down.  Today's message is presented by Pastoral Intern Arron. Our scripture lesson is from Isaiah Chapter 9, verses 1 - 4. The Gospel lesson is from Matthew Chapter 4, verses 12-23. 

This week, Pastor Kevin continues in our series, reading from Matthew Chapter 7. Tune in and check out how we discussing the idea of rejecting hypocritical judgement, treating others with love, and building a life on obedience to Jesus.

If we were to think about this long enough, each of us feel like we are waiting on God to tell us what to do, right? What would you say if I told you that He has instructed us on what to do? Let's look at thescripture in Matthew Chapter 28 to find out.

New Testament Bible Reading Plan – Audio Version The post Day 21 – Matthew Chapter 21 appeared first on ENCOUNTER.

From the introduction, "Matthew is quite plainly a Jew who has been convinced of Jesus' messianic claim... He attempts to convey a logical conviction that the new teaching was not only prophesied in the old but does in fact supersede it in the divine plan... It is being written at that distance in time from the great event where sober reflection and sturdy conviction can perhaps give a better balanced portrait of God's unique revelation of himself than could be given by those who were so close to the light that they were partly dazzled by it".

New Testament Bible Reading Plan – Audio Version The post Day 20 – Matthew Chapter 20 appeared first on ENCOUNTER.

From the introduction, "Matthew is quite plainly a Jew who has been convinced of Jesus' messianic claim... He attempts to convey a logical conviction that the new teaching was not only prophesied in the old but does in fact supersede it in the divine plan... It is being written at that distance in time from the great event where sober reflection and sturdy conviction can perhaps give a better balanced portrait of God's unique revelation of himself than could be given by those who were so close to the light that they were partly dazzled by it".

New Testament Bible Reading Plan – Audio Version The post Day 19 – Matthew Chapter 19 appeared first on ENCOUNTER.

From the introduction, "Matthew is quite plainly a Jew who has been convinced of Jesus' messianic claim... He attempts to convey a logical conviction that the new teaching was not only prophesied in the old but does in fact supersede it in the divine plan... It is being written at that distance in time from the great event where sober reflection and sturdy conviction can perhaps give a better balanced portrait of God's unique revelation of himself than could be given by those who were so close to the light that they were partly dazzled by it".

New Testament Bible Reading Plan – Audio Version The post Day 18 – Matthew Chapter 18 appeared first on ENCOUNTER.

Heart of a Man is a men's community based our Carmel, IN. We exist to deeply connect men with a brotherhood equally committed to learning, growing, walking through life together and deepening in faith. Our mission is to build men into character-driven, committed disciples of Jesus, equipped to forge healthy, life-giving relationships at home, at work, and in their communities. Today's lesson is from Heart of a Man's CEO, Bill Moore, taking us through Matthew Chapter 8. Bill looks in-depth at the miracles of Jesus, showcasing how Jesus constantly disrupts our lives, calling us out of comfort and into the work and purpose He's given us!  Please visit us at www.heartofaman.org to learn more, to contact us, to purchase merchandise, donate to our ministry (we are a 501c3 and all donations are tax-deductible) or to join us in-person for one of our many Bible studies and classes!

New Testament Bible Reading Plan – Audio Version The post Day 17 – Matthew Chapter 17 appeared first on ENCOUNTER.

New Testament Bible Reading Plan – Audio Version The post Day 16 – Matthew Chapter 16 appeared first on ENCOUNTER.

This week, Pastor Kevin continues in our series, reading from Matthew Chapter 6. This chapter emphasizes how faith isn't about impressing God; it's about trusting Him in every aspect of our lives.

New Testament Bible Reading Plan – Audio Version The post Day 15 – Matthew Chapter 15 appeared first on ENCOUNTER.

Exploring the Connection Between Matthew 15 and Ezra For BibleInTen.com - By DH, 17th January 2026 Welcome back to Bible in Ten!     Today, we have another bonus episode as our daily commentary from the Superior Word closes out Matthew Chapter 15. 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 concluded our walk through Matthew 15, we'll now look at its fascinating counterpart: Book 15 of the Old Testament-Ezra. Please do check the last episode to see how Chapter 15 of Matthew gives a picture of what is going on in the world from the time Jesus fulfilled the law until the rapture. The verses, though literally occurring at the time of Jesus, point to truths after the completion of Jesus' ministry. Authority from Jerusalem  Matthew 15 opens with scribes and Pharisees coming from Jerusalem to challenge Jesus. Jerusalem represents authority still bound to Sinai. Ezra came from Babylon to Jerusalem as a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses. That was necessary then. But Matthew 15 shows what happens after the Law has been fulfilled. The authority remains -  but the life is gone. Paul explains this tension in Galatians: “Jerusalem which now is… is in bondage with her children.” The challenge to Jesus does not come from pagans -   but from Law-bound religion. 2. Tradition Replacing God's Word  In verses 2 through 9,  Jesus exposes the condition of Israel. They honor God with lips, but their hearts are far away. Ezra saw the same problem. Israel had returned from exile. The Temple was rebuilt. But the heart problem remained. Ezra tore his garments and confessed: “After all that has come upon us… should we again break Your commandments?” External obedience never cured internal rebellion. Matthew 15 shows that the problem has hardened. 3. Where Defilement Truly Comes From  Jesus says: “What goes into the mouth does not defile a man, but what comes out of it.” This is more than food. It is proclamation. Israel refuses to confess Jesus. Paul later explains: “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart… you will be saved.” Defilement is not ritual failure. It is rejecting the Rock. Ezra spoke of a land defiled by peoples and practices. Jesus reveals the deeper truth - defilement flows from the heart outward. 4. Blind Leaders and Separation  Jesus then says something severe: “Let them alone.” Blind leaders. Blind followers. Ezra enforced physical separation. Jesus declares spiritual separation. Same judgment. Different stage of history. The Law has reached its limit. 5. A Turn Toward the Gentiles  Verse 21 is pivotal. Jesus goes out from there to Tyre and Sidon. Ezra's restoration preserved Israel. Jesus now expands the promise. Tyre means Rock. Sidon means Fishery and fish relates to increase. Israel abandoned their Rock. The nations who receive Him will increase. A Canaanite woman approaches - humbled, persistent, faithful. Ezra allowed Gentiles who separated from uncleanness to join Israel. Jesus reveals the heart of that principle. Faith, not bloodline, is the door. 6. Bread, Crumbs, and Faith Jesus speaks of children's bread. The woman doesn't argue. She trusts. “Even the crumbs are enough.” This is not rebellion against Israel. It is trust in Israel's Messiah. Ezra guarded the holy vessels carefully. Jesus shows that grace is not diminished by sharing. Faith gathers what Law could only preserve. 7. The Mountain and the Multitudes  Jesus ascends a mountain near the Sea of Galilee - Liberty. A great gathering forms. Ezra gathered Israel to restore covenant order. Jesus gathers the nations under Himself. Broken people come. They are healed. And Matthew records something unique: “They glorified the God of Israel.” The Gentiles now do what Israel was called to do. Paul later says: “That the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy.” 8. Bread, Fulness, and Preservation  The feeding of the four thousand follows. Three days. Divine fullness. Seven loaves. Spiritual completeness. Four thousand - the world number. Ezra preserved what was holy by careful accounting. Jesus preserves what is holy by abundance. Seven large baskets remain. Nothing is lost. The fullness of the Gentiles comes in while Israel remains partially blinded. 9. Toward the Tower of God The chapter ends with a quiet note. Jesus goes to Magdala - Migdal-El, the Tower of God. Not Babel. Not the tower of man. Ezra ended with restored order. Matthew 15 points toward final deliverance. Ezra shows us what faithfulness under the Law looked like. Matthew 15 shows us what happens when grace takes the field. The Rock rejected by Israel becomes the foundation of the nations. CONCLUSION Ezra supports the typological interpretation of Matthew 15 because it provides the historical “control text” that shows Matthew follows an existing biblical pattern.    The reason Ezra confirms the typological reading of Matthew 15 is that Ezra provides the final Old Covenant pattern.   Matthew typologically provides the New Covenant pattern. In Ezra, Israel is restored to the land, the Law is fully reinstated, scribal authority is established, separation is enforced, and a remnant is preserved - yet the heart problem remains unresolved. Matthew 15 follows that same sequence in order: authority from Jerusalem, Law elevated through tradition, defilement exposed, separation declared, a preserved remnant, and then a movement beyond Israel to the Gentiles. The difference is that what Ezra preserves under the Law, Jesus resolves through Himself. Because Matthew follows Ezra's structure rather than inventing a new one, the typology is not imaginative - it is controlled, historical, and intentional. Matthew 15 is not merely a series of confrontations, healings, and feedings, nor is it simply a lesson about religious hypocrisy or personal faith, as it is often reduced to in casual teaching. Rather, it is also a picture of what is going on in the world from the time Jesus fulfilled the law until the rapture. What Ezra records historically - Israel restored under the Law, preserved through separation, yet still bound by the limitations of Sinai - Jesus reveals prophetically. Matthew 15 walks through that same reality step by step: Jerusalem-based authority bound to tradition, a people near in speech but distant in heart, blindness leading blindness, separation declared, and then a decisive movement outward to the nations. Ezra preserves a remnant under the Law. Jesus gathers a people by grace. Ezra safeguards holiness through consolidation and exclusion. Jesus reveals holiness through mercy, healing, and abundance. Seen together, these chapters show that Matthew 15 is not simply about what happened on a particular day in Galilee, but about what God has been doing in redemptive history from the close of the Old Covenant to the fullness of the New. It is the Law reaching its limit and Christ stepping into that space - not to abolish what came before, but to fulfill it. Matthew 15, read through Ezra, becomes a sweeping retelling of Israel's restoration, its partial blindness, the inclusion of the Gentiles, and the preservation of God's people - all centered on the person of Jesus Christ, the true Rock, the Bread of Life, and the Lord of the harvest. Lord God, we thank You for Your word - holy, faithful, and true. We confess that it is easy to handle Scripture carelessly, to bend it toward our own ideas, or to use it as a tool rather than receive it as a gift. Guard our hearts from pride. Guard us from turning truth into tradition and obedience into self-righteousness. Teach us to read Your word with reverence, to see Christ where You have revealed Him, and to submit ourselves to what You have spoken. May Your grace reach deeper than our habits, deeper than our defenses, and deeper than our fears. And may our lives reflect not just knowledge of Your law, but the transforming mercy found in Jesus Christ our Lord. To Your glory alone. Amen.   Before we close this episode, we want to share something very simple and very personal. The following song was made up and sung by our Gracie when she could barely speak. She created the words herself and sang it from her heart. It's hard to understand in places, and it's certainly not theologically precise - but that's actually part of why it feels so fitting here. In Matthew 15, Jesus reminds us that what truly matters is not polished words, tradition, or perfect expression, but the heart. This little song isn't about getting everything right; it's about love, trust, and a heart turned toward Jesus. So we'll let it stand just as it is - imperfect, sincere, and honest - a small reminder that faith begins in the heart even before it can be explained. >>>> Grace sings “I love you Jesus” >>>> 

New Testament Bible Reading Plan – Audio Version The post Day 14 – Matthew Chapter 14 appeared first on ENCOUNTER.

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As we have talked about leadership in a culture of grace, the concept is that each of us has agency and capacity to lead in our own ways. The paradox is that implicit in leadership is servanthood. Martin Luther said that God is found not only in suffering, but also in the midst of doubt, fear, tribulation, temptation, despair and lament. Paradox defines us as individuals and Christians.  In these difficult times, the paradox is that God hasn't left the scene. The crucified God is with us as our center. This paradox stands at the heart of our gospel. Today's message comes to us from PaStor Jason. The Gospel comes from Matthew Chapter 3, verses 13 - 17. The Scripture lesson is from Isaiah, Chapter 42, verses 1 - 9.

New Testament Bible Reading Plan – Audio Version The post Day 9 – Matthew Chapter 9 appeared first on ENCOUNTER.

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John 13:12–17,When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.In the year 1521, an artist named Lucas Cranach published a pamphlet of several woodcut images he had made of the pope. The printing press had been around almost a hundred years, but only a small fraction of the population could read, and so pictures were an important way to get a message across. And in these woodcuts images, Cranach, who was a good friend of Martin Luther, had two panels side by side: on the right side was a depiction of Pope Leo, but on the first side was a depiction of Jesus. And one of his most famous woodcuts features the scene of Jesus in John 13. The text beneath the image is our passage today, John 13:14–17.In this image of Jesus, you can see he is basically doing what the passage says: his disciples, a ragtag looking bunch, are huddled together in line, and Jesus is stooped down on his knees, by a water basin, washing their feet. We're supposed to contrast that image with the image on the other side: it's the pope sitting on an elevated platform, and there's a room full of dignitaries, and they're all in line to kiss his feet. It's clear that the pope is doing the exact opposite of Christ, which is why the heading at the top, on the right side, says, “Antichrist.” Some of you may know, our Reformation forefathers thought the pope was the antichrist — and I just wanna say they were not crazy to think that because the pope literally did antichrist things … And nothing made that more obvious than how the pope treated people so differently from how Jesus did. See John 13 was (and is) a standard of authenticity for every true disciple of Jesus. We should read this passage and ask ourselves: Does anything in my life look anything close to what Jesus is doing here? If you could put a picture of yourself on that right side, what would it look like?I believe it's God's providence that John 13 is our text at the very beginning of 2026. And we're gonna look closely at this passage today, but here's my goal: I want this passage to shape a prayer for our church for this entire year. The prayer is this: that we would grow as joyful servants of one another like Jesus is of us.That's the prayer — and there's a lot we could say about this — but I wanna start with the most basic this morning. Following the words of Jesus in this passage, I want to tell you three reasons we should serve one another like Jesus serves us. Here's the first. We should serve one another like Jesus serves us …1. Because Jesus is our Teacher and Lord (vv. 12–13)Look at verse 12. This is after Jesus has washed his disciples' feet. John tells us that Jesus basically cleaned himself up, sat back at the table, and then he began to teach with his words. See, the whole thing has been teaching, but now it's formal. And the first thing Jesus says, the end of verse 12, is:“Do you understand what I have done to you?”He's implying here that they don't understand, which is what he already said in verse 7. In verse 7, Jesus told the disciples: Hey, you don't get what I'm doing now, but you will later. And now is that later: Jesus is about to explain the meaning of his washing their feet — and we're on the edge of our seats for this!What Jesus did was shocking enough, but now he's gonna tell us the deeper meaning. He starts in verse 13. Verse 13:“You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am.”Notice the first thing Jesus does here is affirm the disciples. He starts by telling the disciples something they get right. And what they get right is who Jesus is. He is their “Teacher and Lord.”The word “Lord” here could be just a respectful way of talking to somebody with authority, but we know it's more than that in the New Testament. This is a confession of the deity of Jesus. Jesus is God the Son. He is the Lord Jesus. And we would expect this word to be front and center in what Jesus is called.But look at that word “teacher” in verse 13 — it's another way to say rabbi. And “rabbi” or “teacher” — that was something these early Jewish disciples called Jesus, but we don't really use that language today, at least not in our circles. I grew up in the church, and I've been a Christian for about three decades, and I don't know that I've ever heard anyone refer to Jesus as their “Lord and Teacher Jesus Christ.” But why don't we say that? That's a fair question to ask, isn't it? Because Jesus says it is right to call him Teacher, but we don't. So why not?It's actually a simple answer. It's because we combine Jesus as Teacher with his identity as Lord. This comes through in our third baptism vow: We affirm that, “with God's help, we will obey the teachings of Jesus and follow him as Lord, Savior, and Treasure.” “Learn from me”So we may not use the word “Teacher” but it is absolutely implied! This is the way we relate to Jesus as his disciples — we obey his teachings, we follow him. I think it's okay that we don't commonly call Jesus our “Teacher” — but it's okay only as long as we know he is that to us. He's certainly more to us than Teacher, but never less — Jesus teaches us how to live in this world!I think of Jesus's famous invitation in Matthew Chapter 11 to come to him and find rest. Remember he says: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me …” (Matthew 11:29). Learn from Jesus how to live!Or in the Book of Ephesians, Paul warns us not to live like the Gentiles — because their hearts are hardened and they're full of greed — and Paul says, “That is not the way you learned Christ!” (Ephesians 4:20). Hear that? We learn Christ. We learn from him! Jesus is our Teacher. It is right to call him that, but what matters most is that we know that's who he is. And when we know that, when that fact is established, then of course we're gonna do what he says. This is foundational: we should serve one another like Jesus serves us because Jesus is our Teacher and Lord, and he tells us to. And we could stop here, to be honest, because that's enough. But there's more. We should serve one another like Jesus serves us …2. Because Jesus has given us an example (vv. 14–16)This is verses 14–16, and it's really the central part of the passage. So let's read it again, and notice this whole unit is an argument. Verse 14: If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.The logic of what Jesus says is grounded in the disciples' relationship to him — the Teacher/disciple relationship is implied, but Jesus names two more relationships in verse 16: master/servant, and then sender/messenger. We see that in verse 16.Now, what's the same in all of these relationships is that there's a hierarchy, and in each one, Jesus is the superior and we are the inferior. This is vital to the argument. Jesus is saying plainly in verse 14: If I, your superior, have washed the feet on my inferiors, then my inferiors ought to wash one another's feet.And in case we get stuck on the feet-washing part, in verse 15 Jesus explains that what he did was an example bigger than feet. Jesus has given us a model for how we treat one another.He has given us a pattern for all of life — it's not about one specific act of washing feet, but this is about a way of being. This is how we live together as the body of Christ: we serve one another the way Christ served us — which included washing our feet.And so, get this: if our Teacher, our Master, if he went that low to serve us, what would we consider too low in serving one another? See what he did there? Jesus has opened up for us endless possibilities of good works. Because now, following his example, nothing can be too low. Nothing can be too inconvenient. The degree of our serving is not determined by our station, but by the needs of our brothers and sisters. That is not the way it is in the world! Seriously, don't try this at work! Stick to your job description.What About Spiritual Gifts?But the local church is different. And this is where, heads up, we need to be careful with the topic of spiritual gifts. Now we're gonna get there one day in First Corinthians, but let me just offer a word of caution here … There is a school of thought that says it's incumbent that every Christian find a church where they can use their spiritual gifts. But see, the problem with this thinking is that it can lead individual Christians to hop from church to church asking the questions, “Can I use my gift here? … Can I use my gift here? What about here? Here? Who wants this gift?” And look, it's not bad to want to use your gift, but, instead of looking for the church where you can use your gift, how about commit to a church and let the first thing you ask be: What are the needs? Where can I help? Show me the places where I can follow the example of my Teacher and wash some feet!Look, I'm not gonna mention names (because I don't wanna embarrass anybody), but I've seen that kind of needs-first serving in this church over and over again. And when the whole church serves one another this way — in the example Jesus has given us — it is one of the most beautiful, compelling realities on the planet. Because Jesus is the only reason it makes sense. He is our Teacher and Lord, and he gave us an example.Here's the third reason. We serve one another the way Jesus served us …3. Because there is a blessing that comes through doing (v. 17)This is verse 17, and it's a verse that I want everybody to see. There are few keywords in this verse that we're gonna focus on, but first, everybody find verse 17. Chapter 13, verse 17, Jesus says:“If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”First word to see here is “blesséd.” This is a wonderful word. It's used 50 times in the whole New Testament, and 40 of those times are by Jesus himself. I think that counts as one of his favorite words! And the most famous place Jesus used this word was during his Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew Chapter 5, Jesus starts that sermon with what's called the Beatitudes. You've heard these before …“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” …Jesus goes on to mention nine different blesséds, and none of them are what you'd expect. They turn the way of the world upside down — which tells us that Jesus's idea of “blessedness” is probably different too. To be blessed, according to Jesus, does not mean to be comfortable or to have things easy — it does not mean more power, money, and fame (that's the world's idea). But to be blessed according to Jesus means to be truly happy in relation to God — it's about the ‘good life' under the kingdom of God, which is the only ‘good life' that is true and lasting. To be blessed according to Jesus is not cheap fun, but it's a deep joy in God, given by God.Don't we want that? I'll take some of that in the New Year! The Way to BlessingWell, good news! Jesus is gonna tell us how we can get it. Everybody track with me — Look back at verse 17: Jesus starts, “If you know these things” — what things? He's talking about what he has just said. He's talking about the explanation he just gave in verses 14–15 for what he was doing in washing their feet. Jesus is saying: If you know I've given you an example! Or: now that you know I've given you an example! — Hey, it's good to know things isn't it? I'm so thankful that we can read the Word of God and know things about God and about life. It is a gift to know, amen. And we wanna grow in our knowledge! (2 Peter 3:18).But in verse 17, where does Jesus saying the blessing is?Verse 17: “If you know these things — or, now that you know I've given you an example … Blessed are you if you [have a Bible study and talk more about it] …Blessed are you if you [listen to a sermon and take good notes] …All goods things. But what does Jesus say in verse 17?“If you now know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”Do them. Like in real life, actually do the thing. Do what Jesus did!But Your Neighbor DoesYou know, thanks be to God, the heart of the gospel is that we are saved by grace, not by works. Romans 4:4, Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.Amen! We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, for the glory of God alone. It's like Martin Luther said:“God does not need your good works … but your neighbor does.” Your brother does. Your sister does.Listen: there is a blessing from Jesus that you can only have when you serve others the way he serves us. That's why we're joyful servants!And again, the blessing is not comfort. It's not ease. It's not convenience. It's not power, money, and fame. In fact, in the serving it's pretty much the opposite of all those things. There are at least moments of discomfort, difficulty, and inconvenience. You stoop low, at a cost, with no fanfare. But Jesus says, in doing that you will be blessed.And we all raised our hands and said we want that blessing. All that's left is the doing. How Does That Look?What does that look like for you? (Come back at 5 tonight to hear more about this), but I want to ask you now: in this New Year, in what ways are you gonna follow the example of Jesus, and do what he did? Where are the needs in our church, the needs around you, that God would call you to meet?Hey, let me just say: for those of us who are worried about our church growing this year, if we just do this, we're gonna be okay. The question is not: Am I going to be cared for with all these people here? The question is: How can I serve all these people the way Jesus served me?And when we're all asking that … it's beautiful.And look: it starts here. It starts with me; it starts with the pastors. All of us are in the same boat in that we all want to be more like Jesus. I'll tell you a story I thought of last week, and this is kinda crazy, because I haven't thought of this in 22 years, but it popped in my head a few days ago. When I was a freshman in college and trying to figure out God's calling on my life, I went to an FCA event to hear this guest preacher who was talking about calling. And I don't remember his message other than this one story he told, about a dream he had. This guy has preached to people all over the country, and seen a lot of fruit, and he had this dream where he was sitting on a white horse … He is sitting on this horse, looking out over all the people he had preached the gospel to. And then he sees Jesus walking up to him, through this crowd of people, and when Jesus finally gets to him, Jesus looks up and says, “Hey, would you get off my horse?”The guy said: Hey, whatever Jesus is calling you to in life, it's never to be on his horse.We've actually seen in John 13, Jesus calls us to serve like he serves. And I want you to know: your pastors are in this for that. That's my heart for you. And what I'm about to say — I don't mean this as anything different from the past, but I just wanna tell you: with God's help, I'm gonna serve you the best I can this year. With all the grace that God supplies.And that's our prayer together, for all of us. It's that God would grow us as joyful servants of one another like Jesus is of us.That's what leads us to the Table.The TableI want us to sense in a new way the wonder that we are children of God. We are brothers and sisters of Jesus, and one another, and we live by him and for him. It's all grace! All gift! And at this Table we rest in that.We come here to thank Jesus for his cross and resurrection, and to receive afresh all that he is for us — Lord, Savior, Treasure, and Teacher.

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The birth of Jesus can be seen as a transformation. It is the beginning of the story and also the beginning of the ending. While it may seem that Christmas should be a season of joy, as told in the Gospel of Matthew, it is both joy and pain. The birth of Jesus brings a newness of hope for us to follow.  This message is brought to us by Pastor Jason. The Gospel is from Matthew Chapter 2, verses 13 - 23.

June 9th, 2025Shawn, Justin and "Other Justin" dive verse by verse into Matthew Chapter 2

In this week's episode, Evangelist Chance Walters shares a Message from Matthew Chapter 1 concerning the Birth of Jesus Christ. 

"Your house and your kingdom will endure forever." That's God's promise to King David – a pledge and prophecy that came to fruition through the nativity and Jesus' birth. Matthew Chapter 1 opens with a genealogy of Jesus, describing the Messiah as “the son of David and the son of Abraham.” And Luke Chapter 1 corroborates Jesus' tie to David when Gabriel approaches Mary and reveals she will bear a son. Verses 32 and 33 read, “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Mary is being given a prophecy here that we first see recorded hundreds of years earlier in 1 and 2 Chronicles and 2 Samuel – in particular 2 Samuel Chapter 7, verse 16. It is here in 2 Samuel, God, through Nathan, tells David about his everlasting kingdom — a kingdom build and fulfilled through Jesus' loving sacrifice. And that love is the centerpiece of the biblical narrative. The nativity gave way to the cross and the cross gives way to our true freedom and forgiveness. But a full understanding of both the Old and New Testaments — and the prophecy therein — is what opens us to fully understanding what all of this means. Listen to the finale of "Jesus and the Prophecies of Christmas."

Listen to a message by Pastor Steve called, “Responding to the King”. Reading from Matthew Chapter 2.  Watch the full advent service which includes the baptism of Miriam!