Go To Him

Matthew 13:44-46  The Kingdom of Heaven compared to a treasure found in a field or a pearl of great value.  Whatever the case, it is worth everything you have and you are to gain the Kingdom.

Matthew 13:51-58 Part 1 of a two part series.  Today's sermon is based on verses 51-53.  Understanding comes in various levels and if all you know are the words of the Bible without knowing the Word of the Bible then you know next to nothing.

Matthew 13:31-35  The Parable of the Mustard Seed and the Parable of the Leaven.  In God's economy there is no such thing as too small.  Kingdom of Heaven in Jesus's day and the church in ours has spread throughout the world despite starting with one person.  It's affect has touched every nation and area of life even though it had a seemingly insignificant beginning.  No act, no wor...

Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, 47-50 Parables of the Weeds and the Wheat and the Dragnet.  Both parables deal with the eternal end of two different types of people.  Those that belong in the Kingdom of Heaven through faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior and those who are excluded from the Kingdom because of their lack of faith.

Matthew 13:1-9; 18-23  The Parable of the Sower, the Seed, and the Soil.  Jesus teaches a parable about the different responses to the message of the Kingdom of Heaven having come.  The majority of the responses are negative which correlates with other passages such as the narrow gate and broad path or "many are called but few are chosen." 

Matthew 13:10-17 We are starting Matthew 13 which is comprised mostly of parables.  These verses explain why Jesus is teaching in parables.  He has used a parable or two before in Matthew's Gospel but there are seven (or eight depending on how you count them) in this chapter alone. A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning and, according to Jesus, their use is two-fold.  For those...

Matthew 12:46-50  Jesus tells us that our earthly family is worthwhile and important but being part of the family of God and doing God's will is more important.  Our earthly families will pass away but the family of God is eternal.

Matthew 12:38-42  The scribes and Pharisees demand a sign from Jesus, the one they just accused of being of league with Satan, in order to prove he is who he says he is.  They are looking for something immediate and direct from Heaven - miracles, healings, and exorcisms are too mundane.  They are told the only sign they will receive is the sign of Jonah which is yet to come in the life of Christ.

Matthew 12:43-45  As Jesus completes his discussion with the scribes and Pharisees he tells a parable about a demon possessed man whose demon leaves for a while, wanders around, and returns.  In the meantime, the demon's "house" has been swept, cleaned, and put in order.  He is so thankful he goes and brings 7 worse demons with him. This is not a story about all people are demon pos...

Matthew 12:33-37  Jesus continues his discourse with the Pharisees who attributed his healing power to Satan.  He uses two metaphors, treasure and fruit, to highlight it is what is in the heart of a person and how that affects their behavior and action.  He then says that we will give an accounting for every careless word we speak.  "Careless" may be better translated as barren or unprod...

Matthew 12:22-32  Jesus heals a demon possessed deaf mute which leaves the crowds wondering if he is the Messiah.  The religious leaders attribute his powers to Satan.  Jesus response shows how foolish and futile that would be and goes on to say that anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit can never be forgiven.  There is a tie-in to Hebrews and 1 John with those who appear to be Christian but event...

 Hebrews 3:18-4:11  Final sermon in three part examination of types and foreshadowing of the Exodus from Egypt and the Christian experience of salvation.  The children of Israel entering the earthly promised land versus Christians entering the true Promised Land.

Hebrew 3:7-19  We examine the similarities and the massively major differences between the Children of Israel in the wilderness after they leave Egypt and our pilgrimage in this world after we are saved from slavery to sin.  In both cases - perseverance in our faith in God (The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) and his Son Jesus is critical.

Hebrews 3:5-6.  As Lent 2025 comes to an end we will spend the next three Sundays exploring the Old Testament foreshadowing of New Testament realities.  Today we see how the Exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt foreshadows our Exodus from slavery to sin because of Jesus's sacrifice on the cross.

Matthew 12:1-8.  Jesus's confrontation with the Pharisees over the disciples "harvesting" and "processing" grain on the Sabbath.  A conflict of legalism and morality versus repentance and grace.

Matthew 12:9-14.  Another conflict with the Pharisees about doing good and healing on the Sabbath.  Where the Pharisees, and too often ourselves, will tell someone to "come back tomorrow" there is no "come back tomorrow" for God's grace and mercy.  It is available NOW!

Matthew 12:15-21.  Jesus is the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy in Isaiah 42:1-4.  Matthew has shown us in his Gospel that Jesus is the fulfillment of all Messianic prophecies to this point in Jesus's ministry.

Matthew 11:25-30.  Jesus invites us into what is seemingly a contradictory relationship.  We are to take his yoke - which to most implies some type of heavy and wearisome burden.  The truth is the yoke we wear in the world is far heavier and more wearisome than the light and unburdened life in Jesus.

Matthew 11:7-19  A passage that contains so much.  Today we look at the wisdom of three different people/groups based on the final sentence, "Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds!" or in some translations, "But wisdom is justified by her children." We look at John's wisdom, Jesus's wisdom, and the people's wisdom(or lack thereof).  What does it take to be truly...

Matthew 11:1-6  John the Baptist, while in prison, sends some of his followers to Jesus with the following question.  "Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?  We explore the reason behind the question and the true import of Jesus's response.

Matthew 10:40–42 NASB95 “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.  “He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.  “And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water...

Jesus teaching in Matthew 10:24-39 explaining how the world will react to the disciples and their message and why they are not to fear the world's reaction.

Matthew 10:1-16  Jesus sends the Twelve Apostles out to preach the message of the Kingdom of God and to authenticate that message with miracles of healing and exorcism.  We are the spiritual descendants of the Apostle who are now entrusted with the proclamation of the Gospel.

Matthew 10:16-23  The disciples are warned that persecution is coming and will be a way of life for those who have faith in Jesus.  Not every Christian will be persecuted every day of their life but we should be aware of the possibility and ready for it.

Matthew 9:18-34 Jesus proves who he is in four stories of healing.  In each, he makes the point that it is faith that leads to healing.