Christ Pres - Sermons

Scripture Reference: Matthew 26:30-46 In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus experiences a powerful and puzzling emotional breakdown. There on the Garden floor he cries out with a passion that shows exactly what it cost him to love his people the way in which the Cross would ask him to do. Sermon Points: Pain in the Cup Pain from his Friends

Scripture Reference: Matthew 26:17-29 What a strange scene with Jesus sitting with his disciples (including his betrayer) and having a meal to commemorate what was about to him on the Cross. Why would he do that and what that means for how WE take Communion in our day is our topic this morning. Sermon Points: Passover Past Passover Present Passover Future

Scripture Reference: Mark 10:35-52 Sermon Points: The Blind Ones (vv. 35-45) The Seeing One (vv. 46-52)

Scripture Reference: Matthew 25:31-46 In the last public teaching before his arrest and crucifixion, our hero Jesus tells the audience about the judgment to come. It’s a sobering passage, but it reveals Jesus love for this world and how committed He is to rid this world of everything poisonous. Jesus is the judge who sees all, is opposed to all evil and amazingly receives every act of genero...

Scripture Reference: Matthew 22:23-33 Jesus’ confrontation with the Sadducees unveils the flaws in the materialists worldview. Denying the resurrection not only makes us theologically in error, but we rob ourselves of the joy it takes to thrive in a world full of unfulfilled longings and death. Sermon Points: The Problem with the Materialist The Correction of Jesus

 Scripture Reference: Matthew 21:1-11, 14-16 Our hero enters Jerusalem in a way that reveals very clearly his claims about himself and therefore stirs up quite a bit of energy. Jesus’ parade into town on what is now known as “Palm Sunday” is boldly proclaiming Himself as King. However, this King’s carrier is a common donkey. Combine these two facts, and Jesus is revealing j...

Scripture Reference: Matthew 24:1-35 Human beings have an insatiable desire to know the future. It’s the only way in which we can have hope. Well, Jesus has pronounced some serious judgement on the Jewish temple. So when will this happen and what can we expect from our future? Sermon Points: The Temple Will Fall The Son of Man Will Come Jesus’ Followers Will Be Ready

Scripture Reference: John 13:1-20 Sermon Points: Washed by Christ for Acceptance Washed by Christ for Service

Scripture Reference: Ezekiel 47:1-12

Scripture Reference: Matthew 20:1-19 Our hero teaches another parable displaying the kind of kingdom he is bringing into this world. That kingdom is one of sheer grace! Grace is disturbing in a world that functions according to merit, but holds out tremendous hope. Sermon Points: The Allergy The Antidote

Scripture Reference: Matthew 21:33-46 Jesus enters Jerusalem virtually daring the religious establishment to oppose him. It’s almost as if he wants to die at their hands. (!) But he shows them through this parable that they lack the singular attribute that must be persistent in each of Jesus’ followers soul: repentance. Sermon Points: The Challenge of Identity The Challenge of Pride Th...

Scripture Reference: Matthew 19:13-30 Our hero, Jesus, has an interaction with a man who by the worlds standards has it all, and the result of the conversation leaves everyone perplexed. The man and the hearers of this passage are confronted with a sobering question, is Jesus worth letting go of all my other treasures…is He worth it? He is, but there must be something about riches that make...

Scripture Reference: Matthew 19:1-9 As Jesus continues to show the “upside down” Kingdom, he takes aim at the social ill of divorce, which had become absurdly easy to obtain (for men…) and oppressive to wives. HOW he lays out the principles for marriage shows just how the Gospel provides hope for those hurting. Sermon Points: The Text The Principle The Practice

Scripture Reference: Matthew 18:21-35 Jesus begins to unpack his Kingdom ethic in chapters 18-20, including a remarkable parable about his demands for radical forgiveness from his followers. Few topics can be more difficult for Jesus’ followers to stomach, but we have to make sense of it if we’re going to follow him. Sermon Points:  Costliness of Forgiveness Reality of Forgiveness Prac...

Scripture Reference: Matthew 17:1-8 Few stories in the Gospel of Matthew are quite as strange to modern readers as the Transfiguration. But Jesus’ majesty are seen in stark relief when you see that behind this story is a Jewish backstory that shows just exactly what Jesus has come to do not just personally, but cosmically! Sermon Points: The Story The Countenance The Company The Cloud The Ba...

Scripture Reference: Matthew 14:22-33

Scripture Reference: Hebrews 4:11-16 Sermon Points: Living by the Sword (vv. 11-12) Resting in the Priest (vv. 14-15) Going before the Throne (v. 16)

Scripture Reference: John 21:1-19 As we look into the new year, it tends to to be a time of reflection and planning. What do you do with your failures? After Jesus resurrection, He finds Peter on a beach. In this interaction, an amazing truth is revealed. Our failures don’t keep Jesus away from us, actually they are the very reason He came and He works through them. Sermon Points: Jesus Resp...

Scripture Reference: Isaiah 9:2-7

Scripture Reference: Daniel 7:1-14 Christians may not be those who are uninformed about the story of Christmas but may over time become unimpressed by its significance. For those who have heard the story of Jesus’ advent, perhaps we also need to see it for what it truly is. Strange as it might seem, Daniel’s apocalyptic vision is not a bad place to do just that. Sermon Points: The “Beastly” Rule o...

Scripture Reference: Matthew 16:13-23 How is it possible that Peter can be so “right” in his confession about Jesus’ true identity as Messiah and so wrong about Jesus’ mission. The answer to that question uncovers something profound about the new identity that being a Christian brings, with Peter as the prime example. Sermon Points: Peter’s Confession Peter’s Af...

Scripture Reference: Matthew 14:13-21 After the death of John the Baptist, Jesus tries to withdraw to contemplate the loss of his dear friend. But quickly, he returns to ministry to feed a hapless people with a meal that they wouldn’t forget and a meal that his followers would be instructed to celebrate until he came again. Sermon Points: Jesus’ Meal Does A Lot With A Little Jesus&#821...

Scripture Reference: Matthew 14:1-13a Matthew inserts an interesting little story about the fate of John the Baptist at the hands of Herod Antipas, king of Judea in Jesus day. But the life of Herod provides an anti-example to us who, with the benefit of hindsight, can see what evil choices do to spoil a conscience. Sermon Points: Herod’s Choices Herod’s Consequences Herod’s (Unta...

Scripture Reference: Matthew 13:1-23 The worldwide hero spent a lot of time teaching and his disciples claim this hero has the words of life. Why then is it often so difficult to listen to Jesus? The parable of the sower in Matthew 13 is one of Jesus’ explanation for why He is dismissed, ignored and rejected. The problem is the condition of our hearts. *Special thanks to Tim Keller and Ricky...

Scripture Reference: Romans 12:1-2 Sermon Points: Embracing the Depth of God’s Mercy Embracing the Body for Service Embracing the Mind with Truth