Chatham Christian Church

In our text for today we see three approaches to the Sabbath. And I believe we can learn something from the way the disciples, the Pharisees, and the Servant approached the holy day.

Jesus looks at people carrying these impossible loads and says: Come to me.

A Father's Call to Repentance

When Faith Asks Hard Questions

What did Jesus bring into your life?

A disciple has no need to fear ridicule, no need to fear death, and no need to fear judgment.

We see Jesus instructing the disciples, before sending them out on a short-term mission, but with a long-term commitment.

Jesus chose not to minister all by Himself while He was here, or even after leaving. He chose to share His ministry with others, and with us.

Jesus did these things publicly, for all to see, or at least hear about, so they would know who He was. And some did see, while others chose not to see.

Jesus was making available a joyous, saving relationship with the Son of God, who not only had power over disease, nature, evil, and sin... but death itself.

This morning Matthew gives us a glimpse of Jesus’ power over sin itself. And that power, power to even forgive sin, is verified in an undeniable way.

Matthew proceeds to illustrate Jesus’ power over nature... and evil.

Jesus has power, and in the next two chapters, Matthew demonstrates that power.

The event we celebrate this morning took place in a garden, probably less than a hundred feet from where Jesus was crucified.

As we studied Matthew 7:1-6, we discovered that we are, in fact, instructed to judge. Not to pass judgment on someone’s eternal destiny, not to condemn anyone, but to make moral judgments regarding the rightness or wrongness of behavior. Now, to do this correctly, we must use the right standard.

“Judge not, that ye be not judged.” How many times have you had that biblical quote thrown back in your face? It merely introduces Christ’s teaching on judgment... if we read further, we discover that He goes on to make it clear that we are in fact supposed to judge.

Anxiety, for a child of God, is unnecessary, it's unworthy, and it's unfruitful.

You can’t keep your eyes focused on two things at the same time. And you can’t have two masters. Jesus makes this clear when He speaks of two treasures, two visions, and two masters in the Sermon on the Mount.

Prayer is fundamental to a relationship with God... it can be very simple... or it can be very complex.

In the 5th chapter of Matthew, Jesus says, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works.” Then in the 6th chapter, He says, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men.” Which is it? Are we to let men see our good works, our righteousness, or not?

Have you ever excused your behavior with the words, “No one’s perfect?” If you have, listen again to the words of Jesus. “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

You have heard that it was said, "You shall not commit adultery," but I say to you...

What would you think of someone who audaciously declared, "You have heard…but I say" ...effectively challenging what you had been taught?

John’s message, and Jesus’ initial message, was the same. “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” As we move into chapter 5 of Matthew’s gospel, John is in prison, and Jesus is ready to introduce that kingdom to His disciples.

We can almost hear Matthew say, "Then came Jesus..." bringing light, leadership, and love.