The Mountain Church

This morning we consider our vision as we look at Colossians 1:6. We desire for the gospel to bear fruit and grow among us as it is doing in the whole world. We want to see a movement of the gospel through the Puget Sound, for the flourishing of all people. We believe the gospel is not only the power of God for salvation, but what we move deeper into for continued transformation. The gospel is wha...

This morning we conclude our study through the Gospel according to Matthew as we consider the Great Commission from Matthew 28:11–20. In this passage, Matthew tells us about the origins of the story that was spread among the Jews—that the chief priests and elders bribed the Roman soldiers to say, “His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.” After exposing the conspiracy o...

This morning we continue in our study of the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 28:1-10. The tomb was filled on Friday, secured on Saturday, and empty on Sunday. We see in our text this morning the story of the empty tomb. Christ is no longer in the tomb. He is risen! This one event changes everything. Our calendars changed and the day of worship changed. The resurrection proves th...

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 27:32-66. We see in our text this morning that Jesus is the Son of God who was crucified and forsaken as a perfect sin offering for us. Jesus was the once and for all sacrifice who paid for our sins. Through Jesus, we are no longer separated us from God, but can enjoy access to the Father by grace...

This week we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 27:1-31. In the text we see Jesus, the innocent suffering servant who does not defend Himself before the governor. Pilate is greatly amazed by Jesus and recognizes it is out of envy that the Jewish religious leaders want Jesus to die. He washes his hands before the crowd while the people say, His bloo...

This week we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 26:47-75. In our passage this morning we see three scenes of heartache. In verses 47-56, Jesus is betrayed by a friend with a kiss and all of his disciples left him and fled. In verses 57-68, Jesus is brought before the council and judged. He’s mistreated and mocked. He’s beaten, spit on, and slapped...

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 26:30-46. In the text, we see the faithfulness and submission of Jesus that’s contrasted with the failure and sleepiness of the disciples. The structure of the passage could be organized in three sections. In verses 30-35, Jesus is on the way to the garden. In verses 36-44, Jesus prays in the garde...

This morning we continue in our study of the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 26:17-29. In the text we see the preparation of the Passover in verses 17-19. Next we see the promise of betrayal in verses 20-25. Finally, we see the promise of a day when Jesus will drink the fruit of the vine new with his disciples in his Father’s Kingdom in verses 26-29. This passage shows us the fo...

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 26:1-16. We will look at three passages creating a sort of sandwich. The outside being the plot to kill Jesus and the betrayal of Jesus. And the middle being being a stark contrast of an example of true worship and a heart that is totally devoted to Christ. God’s sovereignty is on display in these...

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 25:1-46. Jesus teaches his disciples about the final judgment when the Son of Man returns in his glory. The text could be organized into three main sections. There's the parable of the 10 virgins in verses 1-13. Secondly, there's the parable of the talents in verses 14-30. Finally, there's the fina...

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 24:1-51. The text this morning could be grouped into three main sections. In verses 1-14, we see the signs of the end of the age and persecution predicted. In verses 15-35, we see the abomination of desolation and great tribulation. In verses 36-51, we see Jesus teach on the day and hour of his ret...

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 23:1-39. The text could be broken up into the following three sections: 1) The warnings (vv 1-12) 2) The seven woes (vv 13-36) 3) The weeping (vv 37-39) This teaching of Jesus shows us show us that Jesus condemns self-righteousness. Jesus exposing the scribes and Pharisees serves as a warning to us...

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 22:34-46. Jesus is asked the third and final question in a series of three questions intended to entangle him in his words and test him. After the Sadducees had been silenced, a lawyer of the Pharisees asked, "'Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?' And he said to him, 'You shall love...

This morning we continue in our study of the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 22:15-33. In this passage, Jesus is asked the first two of three questions meant to trap and entangle him in his words. These questions were meant to undermine and discredit Jesus so that he would lose face with his following. Jesus answers these questions leaving his hearers amazed. They marveled at hi...

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 22:1-14. Jesus teaches another parable about how those initially invited are replaced by a surprising group of people. The first will be last and while many are called, few are chosen. The parable could be grouped into the following four parts: 1) The Invitation Offered (vv 1-4) 2) The Invitation R...

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 21:23-46. In our text today we see Jesus' authority challenged and then he shares two parables in judgment of the chief priests and elders of the people of Israel. These parables reveal the nature of true faith. Jesus teaches that the kingdom of God belongs to those who repent and receive the gospe...

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 21:12-22. The story in our text could be grouped in three parts. There's a cleansing, a curing, and a cursing. Jesus enters the temple and drives out the sellers and buyers. He chastens and he cures the blind and the lame in the temple. Then, Jesus curses a fig tree and commends the power of prayer...

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 21:1-11. Our text this morning contains what has been called “The Triumphal Entry.” In church tradition, it’s typically a text that’s read or taught through on what’s known as Palm Sunday. The Triumphal Entry is a turning point in the story of the gospel according to Matthew. Jesus is making a publ...

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 20:17-34. Our text this morning could be broken up into three sections. First, Jesus tells his disciples for a third time about his suffering and death (vv. 17-19). Second, Jesus responds to a request for the best seats in the kingdom and teaches about true greatness in the kingdom (vv. 20-28). Las...

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 20:1-16. Jesus uses a parable comparing the kingdom of heaven to a vineyard. This parable is bracketed by the statements, "the first will be last, and the last first" and "the last will be first, and the first last." The parable illustrates God's basis of grace in granting eternal life. We don't en...

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 19:1-30. In Matthew 19 we see a question about divorce, his disciples rebuking children, Jesus being approached by a rich young ruler, and a question of salvation. Jesus teaches that in our natural condition we are hard-hearted, not good, and against the very things God is for. Jesus show us that t...

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 18:1-35. Jesus instructs his disciples about entering and living in the kingdom of heaven. Life in the community of Christ is about humility and love. Life in the new community of Jesus begins with turning and becoming like children. Life in the community of Christ is marked by love. It's a love th...

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 17:1-27. In Matthew 17 we find the story of the transfiguration, Jesus healing a boy with a demon, the second foretelling of his death and resurrection, and paying the temple tax. As we reflect on how these stories tie together we see that Jesus is the beloved Son of God who has come in the glory o...

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 16:13-28. Our text could be grouped into three sections around these three headers. We'll see the identity of Jesus in verses 13-20. Secondly, we'll see the mission of Jesus in verses 21-23. Thirdly, we'll see the call of Jesus in verses 24-28. We'll explore who is Jesus, what must he do, and what...

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 16:1-12. The Pharisees and Sadducees approached Jesus to test him and demanded him to show them a sign from heaven. After Jesus responds to their request, he tells his disciples, "Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees" (Matthew 16:6). In our text this morning we explore: 1)...