Calvary Church | Messages

Today we begin a new series entitled, When I Grow Up. Growing up is universal, but what does it mean to grow up in Christ? In this series, we will delve into our vision of Pursuing Life in Christ and the values we seek to live out together. 

Is it possible to abound in hope in the midst of our broken and troubled world? The Apostle Paul clearly and succinctly helps us to understand that we look back to what Christ has done, while looking forward to his return, for the motivation and instruction on how to live a hope-filled life in the present age. To watch in ASL: https:// www.youtube.com/live/GzZ4RiJ1Uc0?feature=share

We have seen how hope in Christ changes how we view our circumstances. Today, we will look at how living a life of hope in Christ can change how we view our inner struggles. 

As we continue our series, Finding Hope, we look at a topic none of us enjoy, but all of us experience. How do we find hope in the midst of pain and brokenness all around us? We look together at the words of 1 Peter to give us guidance as we navigate the trials of life.

If we are created in the image of God, what went wrong, and why do we experience so much hopelessness? As we unpacked last week, humanity is a paradox—the product of both the creation and the fall, image-bearers and image-breakers. As Paul continues his reasoning in Acts 17, he points us to the solution: Jesus Christ and His resurrection, our living hope. 

Last week, we began this series by saying, “Everyone is searching for hope.” This week, we continue to see how Paul interacts with people who were very religious, yet very uncertain. As he gently and intentionally dismantles their worldview, he brings us to a place of seeing that we are made in the image of God. But, if that’s true, then why aren’t people and this world more hopeful?

All of us are searching for hope—a longing, an expectation for a desired reality. But, with all the brokenness and suffering around and within us, is it even possible to find hope? Today we begin a seven-week sermon series entitled Finding Hope, where we will unpack why it is safe to hope, even when life can seem hopeless.

God doesn’t know any person He doesn’t love. Do you believe this? In Jesus’ day, the religious leaders did not believe it. They grumbled and criticized Jesus for spending time with tax collectors and sinners. On one occasion, Jesus told them three parables to help them, and us, understand how much God values every individual.

Today, we come to the end of Matthew’s Gospel, but the real work is only now beginning. We have wrestled with the reality of who Jesus truly is all throughout the book. If what Matthew claims about Jesus is true, it is the most fitting conclusion for Jesus to commission His followers to spread this Good News to the ends of the earth.

Matthew’s Gospel has pointed the reader to the reality that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of God’s promises and prophecies. His teaching and miracles have validated His claims that He is the Messiah, the Son of God. Today, we examine the details of the ultimate proof—His resurrection from the dead. 

During the final week before the crucifixion, Jesus has triumphantly entered Jerusalem, overturned tables in the temple and had a series of conflicts with the religious leaders who were looking to trap, humiliate, and discredit Him. After declaring a series of “woes” upon them, He now leaves the temple and Jerusalem and teaches His disciples on the Mount of Olives about near and far prophetic even...

For many people in Jesus’ day, He didn’t do what they expected. People's expectations – then and now – are often the result of some form of misorientation. Today, let’s consider our propensity to drift offtrack and hear Jesus’ invitation to reorient our lives.

Jesus, the humble King, enters Jerusalem and stirs up the city, leading to moments of celebration and moments of confrontation. As Jesus’ motives and mission become evident, we too must decide whether we will receive or reject the revealed King. 

As Jesus continues to disciple the disciples, He teaches them (and us) what He desires for His followers in attitude and action. We will focus most of our time on God’s desire and design for marriage. 

As Jesus continues to disciple the disciples, He teaches them (and us) what is expected of His followers as we live and interact with one another. As we have been asking the last few weeks, do our expectations align with Jesus' expectations for what it means to follow Him?

Jesus begins deliberately and methodically teaching His disciples, and us, that He must suffer, die, and rise again in order to fulfill His role as the Messiah. Our expectations of Jesus and what it means to follow Him need to line up with that reality.

Jesus continues to reveal His identity through authoritative teaching and miraculous signs. The crowds, religious leaders and His disciples continue to respond in diverse ways but now their expectations of Him become even more evident.

Today brings us to the end of another major section in Matthew's gospel. Jesus has demonstrated His power and authority through His teaching and healing ministry. We have seen diverse responses to Him from the crowds, His disciples, and the religious leaders. Today, Jesus helps us better understand those diverse responses through 8 parables.

Through the book of Matthew, Jesus validates his authority as King through miracles and teaching about the nature of His Kingdom. Today is a pivot point in the ministry of Jesus as people respond to Him in diverse ways. Just as we see so many doing today.

Jesus has completed His ministry preparation (1:1-4:17), preached the Sermon on the Mount (5:1-7:27), and demonstrated His authority through His miracles (8:1-9:35). Now Jesus commissions and instructs the twelve disciples as He sends them out on mission.

The preparation for the ministry of Jesus is complete (1:1-4:17). Matthew then presents the first of five teaching discourses of Jesus-the Sermon on the Mount (5:1-7:27). Now, Matthew lays out topically the miracles of Jesus, demonstrating the power and authority of the King and His Kingdom (8:1-9:35).

The preparation for the ministry of Jesus is complete. He now calls his first followers (4:18-22) and Matthew summarizes the nature of his ministry—teaching, proclaiming, and healing (4:23-25). Matthew then presents the first of five teaching discourses of Jesus—the Sermon on the Mount. 

Here's how the ministry of Jesus began - John introduces and baptizes Jesus, the Spirit anoints and empowers Jesus, the Father affirms and approves Jesus, then the Devil taunts and tempts Jesus...to no avail.

People’s reactions to Jesus vary greatly. As Matthew continues his account of the Christmas story, we see the contrast in response to the birth of Jesus between the Wise Men, King Herod, and the religious leaders. Whose example will we follow as we consider how we respond to the news of His birth?