Christ Pres - Sermons

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

Scripture Reference: Matthew 12:1-14 When Jesus shows up in the Jewish countryside, his claims start to create reactions, depending on what was in the heart of his listeners. The Pharisees were famous for their miscalculations regarding Jesus, but when the topic of true rest arose, they were laid bare and wanted to kill him. Sermon Points: Check your Facts Check your Heart Check your Motivation

Scripture Reference: Matthew 11:1-6, 15-19 The Hero Jesus, has come to rescue and set the world to rights. However, the way that Jesus will bring rescue offends some and even disappoints a devoted follower like John the Baptist. In these interactions, Jesusexposes the pride of our own hearts how he has come to rescue us from ourselves. Sermon Points: Offensive Circumstances Offensive Call To Chang...

Scripture Reference: Matthew 9:35-10:7 Having demonstrated the power of his kingdom, our Hero, Jesus, then chooses 12 disciples to carry on his mission of compassion, prayer and healing. Jesus’ priorities are the same for the church today and grasping HOW he passes these along is central to our present sense of mission today. Sermon Points: A Mission of Compassion A Mission of Empowerment A...

Scripture Reference: Matthew 8:23-34 Jesus is traveling through Galilee doing amazing things, demonstrating his power. But until you understand the nature and context of his miracles, you can’t feel the full power of just what’s being suggested: Jesus is claiming authority of the chaos of our lives and healing people by the power of his Word. Sermon Points: The Chaos From Without The C...

Scripture Reference: Galatians 6:11-18 Sermon Points: Subversive Motives Subversive Freedom Subversive Kingdom

 Scripture Reference: Matthew 8:1-4 It’s one thing to be physically separated from your community, quite another to be spiritually ostracized. Jesus encounters a leper who suffers from both, but the healing Jesus brings demonstrates something astounding who still struggle with God’s willingness to heal and his power to do so. Sermon Points: Jesus is Willing Jesus is Holy Jesus is Advan...

Scripture Reference: Matthew 6:9-13 In an epidemic of loneliness in the West, why is communion with God not any more of an antidote to that? could it be that we are thinking of prayer all wrong? The Lord’s Prayer equips Jesus’ followers NOT with just a template for prayer, but a powerful means to change HOW we think of connecting with God. Sermon Points: Familiarity Perspective Celebra...

Sermon Reference: Matthew 5:17-22 Jesus opens his famous Sermon on the Mount with a perplexing statement refuting a rumor that he had come to discard God’s law. Instead, he said he came to “fulfill” the law. What he meant by that is the key to understand the nature of Jesus’ whole mission, loving the law. Sermon Points: The Clash of Authority The Clash of Religious Purpose...

Scripture Reference: Matthew 4:1-11 If a hero is going to bring rescue, then he must face down and defeat that which is bringing danger. The ancient and dangerous villain of this world is known as Satan, or the devil. in Matthew 4, Jesus confronts his and our arch enemy by taking upon himself the devil’s assault of temptation. In this confrontation, we learn the tools of our enemy, but also...

Scripture Reference: Matthew 3:1-17 Everyone undergoes some sort of preparation before meeting a person of significance. What might it look like to be prepared to meet the hero and savior of the world? John the Baptist is out in the desert for this very reason, preparing his listeners to encounter Jesus. Disruptive words like confession, repentance, and baptism are emphasized. These words might se...

Scripture Reference: Matthew 2:13-23 Joseph and Mary find themselves in the center of God’s will for their lives…and they’re suffering horribly. But Matthew sees beneath the surface of their struggles to the undercurrents of fulfillment that Jesus is going to bring, becoming the True and Better Israel for his people. Sermon Points: A Jewish Do Over A God Who Grieves A Branch Aris...

Scripture Reference: Matthew 1:1-6, 16-25 Every hero has an origin story! Matthew introduces us to this long anticipated hero by way of a genealogy and then a supernatural beginning involving a virgin pregnancy. These two avenues of introduction set the table for the kind of hero Jesus will be. He is going to be a hero that identifies with the broken and sinners and will save and heal everything t...