Gospel Explorations

Pastor Mark takes a look at vv. 7-8 of Matthew 5 and discusses the call to be merciful and how the pure in heart are blessed as they shall see God. We look forward to having you join us for our walk through Matthew's gospel. Send us Fan Mail

Pastor Mark looks at the second duplet of the beatitudes and delves into the truth about meekness and hungering after righteousness. Each of the beatitudes helps us get a more nuanced and better picture of what a follower of Jesus ought to look like as these principles of living are layered one upon the other. Might we continue to strive to make these beatitudes a reality in our own lives. Send us...

Pastor Mark starts with the first two beatitudes in today's episode. The spiritual truths that are contained in these simple phrases, which many of us are familiar with, are profound to the Christian life: the poor in spirit shall receive the kingdom of heaven and those who mourn will be comforted. What do these truths mean? Join us to learn this and more! Send us Fan Mail

Join Pastor Mark as he looks at the first couple verse of Matthew 5 and lays the foundation and introduction for Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. Without a doubt, Matthew 5-7 is one of the most truth-packed sections of Scripture as we have recorded for us one of Jesus' most famous sermons. It's an awe-inducing reminder that God, who had once spoken by the mouths of the prophets, was now...

In this episode, Pastor Mark wraps us Matthew 4 as he looks to see Jesus calling his disciples to become fishers of men. The point is made that we all must leave things behind, in order to follow after Christ. Are you a follower who immediately responds to the Master's call? This calling of the disciples marked the beginning of Jesus' ministry as it blossomed from Galilee into the region...

Pastor Mark looks at the next section of Matthew 4 and discusses the beginning of Jesus' ministry in Galilee as He returns to the area following John the Baptist's arrest. Additionally, the emphasis is made on the fulfilled prophecy found in Isaiah and the message of Christ as being a continuation of John's  message: Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Send us Fan Mail

Pastor Mark discusses the last two temptations of Christ in the wilderness and emphasizes again that the Word of God is the promised solution to overcome temptation in our own lives. Be encouraged to know that God has equipped you in His Word with all that you need to live a life pleasing to Him. Send us Fan Mail

We find the temptation of Jesus immediately on the heels of His baptism. This is an important reminder to us that spiritual highs do not insulate us from future spiritual struggles. Yet, as Pastor Mark points out, the beauty of this passage is that Christ sets a pattern that we can follow to help us deal with the temptation we all face. The victory is not found in us, but in the Word. Listen and b...

Grab your Bible and join Pastor Mark as he takes a look at the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. This is one of the few places in Scripture where all three persons of the Godhead are concurrently expressed and manifest. Jesus was baptized, not because He had been forgiven of sins, but because He was identifying with sinful man so that He could become the sin sacrifice for all. There are signif...

Pastor Mark examines John's confrontation of the religious leaders in Jesus' day and his call to them to repent for salvation apart from their familial ties to Abraham. Ultimately, the passage ends with a reminder that the wheat and chaff will be separated, and judgment awaits those who reject the Messiah. Send us Fan Mail

Join Pastor Mark as we meet John the Baptist. He's eccentric, different, and the exact person that God knew was needed to make preparations for Jesus as the Messiah. Come along for this quick introduction to John's ministry and learn how God used Him to call the nation of Israel to repentance. Send us Fan Mail

Pastor Mark wraps up Matthew chapter 2 by looking at the return of Joseph, Mary, and the Christ child to Israel from Egypt and considers the implications of settling down in the insignificant town of Nazareth. Send us Fan Mail

Pastor Mark pauses to consider Joseph's immediate obedience to flee with his family to Egypt and how God in His sovereignty provided a way of escape to thwart Herod's plans. Ultimately, yet again, more prophecies are fulfilled as Jesus and his parents eventually return to Israel and "out of Egypt" comes God's Son. Send us Fan Mail

Join Pastor Mark as he continues to work through Matthew's gospel. In this episode, he takes time to consider Herod's attempt to convince the magi to return to inform him of the Christ child and how the Lord directed them to keep moving in order to ensure the safety of Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus.  Additionally, Pastor Mark considers some applications that come about as one considers th...

Pastor Mark takes time to discuss the characters found in Matthew 2: Herod, the Chief Priests, scribes, and the wise men. The nuance and subtleties found in this story are remarkable, especially when one considers how the magi from the east play into the narrative. Yet again, we see the hand of the sovereign, almighty God! Send us Fan Mail

Pastor Mark wraps up the last few verses of Matthew 1 and recaps what has been uncovered already. In addition, we are reminded as this first chapter comes to a close, that Jesus' arrival was the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy and pointed directly to the promise of a coming Messiah. This Jesus, who had come to save His people from their sins! Send us Fan Mail

Pastor Mark walks through Matthew's record concerning Joseph's turmoil and decision as to how to handle the situation of his betrothed wife, Mary, being pregnant in first century Jewish culture. We wrap up our conversation at verse 21, where the promise is given that this baby JESUS had come to save His people from their sins.  What a great hope, pictured for all mankind that in the mids...

Pastor Mark takes an in-depth look at the genealogical record given in Matthew 1 and discusses the implications of the names there and how it relates to Christ's claims as the Messiah and King. Additionally, some encouraging truths are revealed concerning the women found in Christ's genealogy.  Send us Fan Mail

Join Pastor Mark as he starts a slow, deep dive into Matthew's gospel. In this episode, he takes time to break down the Jewish implications of Matthew's claims of Jesus Christ as the son of David and son of Abraham. Send us Fan Mail

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