FRCP Sunday Morning Sermons

In Matthew 13:47-14:44, we have three distinct episodes that have a common thread: they were each a ministry challenge. The first is a parable that once again warns of a coming judgment. Like today, people weren't excited about "bad" news so they might easily ignore it or be offended by it. Jesus teaches the hard stuff. Then he goes home and rather than receive a hero's welcome, is cut down by tho...

In Matthew 13:44-46, Jesus shares two short, simple, but profound stories about the Kingdom. First, the value of the Kingdom is extravagant, life-changing, joy producing. Notice the grace in the finding. The discovers didn’t earn it or work for it but it’s worth all they have. And God has made it affordable: it costs all you have, but you have all you need to pay for it. Does this seem too much? T...

In Matthew 13:31-35, Jesus describes the Kingdom with two short parables about things that start small but get big. The Kingdom of God is growing in quantity and quality and while the Kingdom will be a social political entity, it’s also about Jesus’ reign in our hearts. So what does it look like for the seed of the Gospel to get planted into our hearts, or the leaven to work through the dough of o...

In Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, 47-52, Jesus teaches us again about the reality of the Kingdom and of the world around it using an agricultural story about a man and his wheat field and an enemy that sows weeds. Because most of us are quite removed from this lifestyle and culture, we may not understand the unique nature of these “weeds”, which really are a poisonous mimicking plant called darnel. Darn...

In Matthew 13:1-23, we have the parable of the sower, in which Jesus describes how different people respond to the Gospel. He also clues his closest disciples in to why he teaches using parables rather than just speaking plainly. But his explanation can seem harsh, or even contrary to the type of person we presume him to be. What’s going on? Does Jesus want everyone to receive the good news of the...

In Matthew 27:62-28:10, Jesus has died and Joseph of Arimathea buries him in his own, new tomb. But the Pharisees and Chief Priests aren’t done. They know Jesus proclaimed he would rise again in three days and they are going to squash the possibility that he worked out some scheme with his disciples in advance to make it seem like he resurrected. Pilate gives them a Roman Guard and tells them to m...

In Matthew 21:1-17, Jesus enters Jerusalem and we call it Palm Sunday, because the crowds were cheering him on and waving Palm Branches. He came as a humble King of Peace, riding on a donkey and its colt. But Kings have responsibilities and Jesus took his responsibility to clean the center of worship seriously, so he flips tables and runs out the greedy profiteers from the Temple Courts. And the k...

In Matthew 12:46-50, we have a seemingly random add on text: Jesus’ mother and brothers come to him while he is teaching and request to speak with him. With very few details, we are left to speculate about the reason, but based on context, we can make an educated guess that the conflict arising around Jesus was starting to concern his family. And rather than be an obedient, might we even say polit...

In Matthew 12:38-45, Jesus finishes his interaction with the Pharisees by responding to their demand for a sign, to prove whether or not He was the Son of David. Jesus says no sign will be given, except the sign of Jonah. This is as close as Jesus will get to lying, because He has given them loads of signs, but they refuse to see. This message deals with the idea of what it takes to believe, and w...

In Matthew 12:22-37, the Pharisees seek to destroy Jesus by spreading lies. Their lies are fueled by jealousy, include half-truths (didn’t deny that a demon was cast out, but tried to associate Jesus' power with the power of Satan). Jesus counters these arguments, giving a serious warning about improper use of words, especially fighting the work of God with false words and arguments.

In Matthew 12:14-21, after Jesus “breaks the Sabbath” in their face, the Pharisees are unconverted, and instead hardened in their hate. Can you be corrected? Can you be shown an argument and evidence that changes your mind for the good? The Pharisees could not, but all that Jesus was doing was in fulfillment of God’s plan, articulated in Isaiah and quoted here. Is what he has done make Him worthy...

In Matthew 12:1-14, Jesus and his disciples are under scrutiny by the religious leaders for "breaking the Sabbath". Jesus uses the opportunity to reveal His authority and correct our tendency to subvert love and mercy with legalism. That said, our culture has gone too far in our Sabbath freedom: we have almost completely lost the discipline of giving focused attention to God through rest. This ser...

In Matthew 11:20-24, Jesus gets exasperated. Despite teaching and performing miracles, there are still many who refuse to listen, heed his words, and repent of their unbelief and sin. So he starts naming names: Chorazin, Bethsaida, Capernaum. And he says, "Woe to you!" because to reject Jesus is to accept judgement. And their judgment will be worse because they've seen him with their own eyes. Par...

In Matthew 11:1-19, Jesus gets back on the road teaching and preaching, but then is approached by some of John the Baptist's disciples. They bear a question from John, who despite seeing Jesus' confirmation at his baptism, is now asking Jesus if he's really the One they've been waiting for. John's questions show us that even the best have doubts, which are often brought up by our own personal circ...

In Matthew 9:35 – 10:42, Christ’s compassion is on full display here. He’s moved, if not overwhelmed not just by the needs, but by the sense of lostness. He commands prayer for workers, knowing that in his limited time on earth, he can’t gather all these lost ones alone. Do we see those hurting and lost? Does our heart break for them? And if we accept the call to be a disciple of Christ, Jesus war...

In Matthew 9:18-34, there are two intertwined episodes about the faith of a synagogue leader with a dead daughter and a woman with a bleeding issue: both receive what they asked for due to faith in Jesus. But they are contrasted with the crowd who laughs at Jesus’s statement about the girl's condition in relation to his power. Jesus knows the truth and has the power to make the truth a reality. Ad...

In Matthew 9:14-17, Jesus is asked about fasting. This brings up several questions about Jesus, his posse, and what the point of religion is. Fasting is an incredibly important practice but it's not done just for it's own sake or because there is some intrinsic value in it. It's done when needed to help someone grow in self-discipline or put extra focus on God. But the disciples were with God! And...

In Matthew 9:9-13, a most unlikely person is called to follow Jesus: a tax collector. This is a surprising move once you know who these men were. Their occupation was used side-by-side with "sinner". But Matthew responds, leaves everything and joins Jesus' crew. But the Pharisees observe this and don't like it. So they question Jesus' disciples and Jesus gives an amazing answer that not only justi...

In Acts 2:42-47, we get a picture of the church after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and at the beginning of their mission. Here at First, we are considering not just what the Lord wants for our individual lives, but what He wants for our church's life. Kyle talks about our desire to follow the Lord closely wherever He leads us and for 2025, a part of that is to continue to work on being "toget...

In 2 Timothy 1:6-12, Paul encourages Timothy to fan into flame or "kindle afresh" the gift of God that was given to him. For what purpose? So that Timothy would continue to be an effective participant in God's ultimate purpose in the work of the Gospel. At this time of year, we often make resolutions. Kyle talks about how our resolutions should not just be for self-improvement, which is often just...

In Matthew 9:1-8, some men bring a paralytic to Jesus. No words are exchanged, but Jesus saw their faith and grants the man forgiveness for his sins. Did Jesus miss the point? What's better: to walk or be forgiven? It seems the gift of forgiveness was the greater gift, and meant to be a great encouragement to the man. Do we take courage from our forgiveness in Christ? Jesus doesn't stop there, tho...

In Numbers 6:22-27, God gives a blessing to Moses to give to Aaron and his sons (the priests) to put God's name on them. The "Aaronic Blessing" as it's sometimes called, interestingly uses a metaphor for God's face twice in only a few sentences to highlight that when we are in close proximity with God, when we can "see his face" or His face "shines on us", we are blessed. That blessing is specific...

Join Pastor Steve as he walks us through a variety of scriptures that teach us what Joy is and why we have it. And there may be an Elvis impersonation in there as well! We also apologize that some of the message was not recorded.

In Isaiah 57:14-21, the Lord laments over Israel, but also gives them hope. Over and over they have failed and have not taken heed of God's corrective actions. God says he's seen their disobedience, but...He will heal them. He describes himself as the almighty God who lives in high place, far above and worthy of all honor, yet he dwells with the lowly in spirit and the contrite. An enourmous God i...