The Alley Church Podcast

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did n...

I want to make a statement about the events of this week because if I were sitting where you are I would want to know what my Pastor might say at a time such as this. Before I begin I want to read, I Peter 3:15-16 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and res...

Main Verse: “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of  Christ.” — Galatians 1:10  1. Introduction – Who Are You Living For? Church, let me ask you something today. Not just something surface. Something that presses into the real you. The you behind the outfit. Behind the sto...

Matthew 9:27-38 - Jesus’ Mercy and Our Mission As we continue preaching on the miracles of Jesus, we close out 2 chapters Matthew 8–9 which walked us through a gallery of ten miracles that reveal who Jesus is and what His kingdom is like. Our passage today has three scenes: two blind men who see (27–31), a mute man who speaks (32–34), and The compassionate Christ who calls for workers (35–38). (27...

We are in the book of Matthew, going through the miracles of Jesus. This is a story of two miracles, one occurring in the midst of the other.  A little seminary lesson to kick off this morning… Matthew abbreviates the stories to highlight certain important Jewish points to emphasize Jesus is the Messiah. Matthew is writing to a Jewish audience. Luke is writing to Theophilus, which means “lover of...

Matthew 9:1-8 Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town. Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!” Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your h...

(28) When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. (29) “What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?” (30) Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. (31) The demons begged Jesus, “If yo...

Have you ever made a commitment only to regret it later? Maybe it was a gym membership, a diet plan, a business partnership, a relationship, a bet, a religion, an oath, we’ve all been there.  What looked good at the moment and seemed amazing left us regretting the cost of such an action.  We realized the price we paid was not equal to the value we received, many times causing us to compromise our...

Matthew 8:23–27 - Faith Over Fear: Who Then Is This? 23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” 26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the...

“The Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—are four different eyewitness accounts of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Sometimes they tell the same stories from different angles—like four people watching the same event from different seats in a stadium or 4 eye witnesses to a car accident.  When two or more Gospels record the same event, we call those ‘parallel passages.’  These give us a full...

Sometimes, our deepest needs drive us to unexpected places and people for help.  (5) When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. (6) “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.” (7) Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?” (8) The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and...

  We would like to ask you all: What is your life built on? If you could think of your life in terms of having a foundation what would that foundation be?  Picture it. Name it. What happens when storms come—social, financial, emotional, relational, spiritual, or legal? Will your life stand or collapse built on your named foundation? Where and to whom do you turn when you are in a violent emotional...

John talked about the names of God and that He alone is to be worshipped. We are worshipping all the time, like a garden hose…it is what we aim it at, what we think will save us is what we worship. Our master is what we worship. We are building on this thought: Jesus is Lord, and Lord is not his first name, but his title. MASTER. Which we have recently defined and discussed. Now we are back to the...

Samantha Testimony The Manchineel Tree looks like a tropical apple or guava tree, and its fruit looks enticing. This tree, by appearance, is beautiful. They are found in Florida, the Caribbean, and Central America, mostly in coastal regions. This tree, by appearance, is quite nice. But never stand under one or even touch it. Its sap is poisonous and will cause blistering of the skin upon contact....

Let’s read it! Matthew 7:12-14 (NIV): (12) So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. (13) Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  (14) But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Matthew 7: 6-11 - Keep asking, seeking and knocking Good morning, church. Today we continue our journey through the Sermon on the Mount—a teaching from Jesus that turns worldly thinking upside down and invites us into the kingdom of God. Growing up, I thought these were one-off lessons that I was to obey or try to obey. As we have been journeying through learning this Sermon Jesus preached, actual...

Two weeks ago, we talked about "do not worry," and how we stress over things that probably won't even happen. 85% of the things we worry about will NEVER HAPPEN. As followers of Jesus Christ, we know He's in charge of His Kingdom, but, let's face it, we like to control our own Kingdom. Consider this: if we profess to be followers of Jesus and pray, genuinely implore, beg f...

28 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became lik...

H oly Week, also known as Passion Week, spans from Palm Sunday to Easter. For 1700 years, Christians worldwide have used this time to reflect on Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection. We remember his entry into Jerusalem, his crucifixion, and his resurrection, understanding God's plan to restore humanity and the price Jesus paid. Bible project on facebook, You version chosen  EASTER! TELL, I...

We are discussing undivided devotion and genuine trust in the Kingdom of God. Matthew 6:24–25 is situated in the heart of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount , a foundational teaching that outlines the values of the Kingdom of God.  Matt 6: 19-25 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. (20) But store up for yourselves treasure...

We live in a world that constantly tells us to chase after more—more money, more success, more data, more things, more time. But Jesus challenges us with a simple question: Where is your treasure? In Matthew 6:19-24, He calls us to examine where our hearts are truly invested. 6:1-18 done in private 6:19-34 things done publicly ( 19) Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths an...

Matthew 6: 16-18- The Practice of Fasting  A common theme for these last three instructions of Jesus including today: Christians give, we pray, and we fast and we don’t make a big deal about it. We certainly don’t do it to get the respect of others, or to impress people or that it’s our religious duty. We are told to do it in secret, privately, in front of God our Father who knows and sees everyth...

Last week we brought up “Lent” which means to lengthen as in Spring and the days are getting longer. However, it comes at the time we celebrate Easter, the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Lent is 40 days. From Ash Wednesday to Maundy (mandate) Thursday the 17th of April. The 40 days commemorate the 40 days of Jesus in the wilderness, He ate nothing during those 40 days while He...