The Mountain Church

This morning we continue in our study of the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 15:21-39. Jesus heals a Canaanite woman's daughter by merely a word. Then we see Jesus healing any and all kinds of disabilities in a gentile region. The story culminates in the feeding of 4,000 people in the same region. In today's passage we see the Light of the World dawning on the nations. These mir...

This morning we continue our study through the Gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 15:1–20. In verses 1–9, Jesus reveals the problem of human traditions—how we can elevate man-made rules above the commandments of God. He shows the danger of external religion: activity that appears to honor God, while in reality, the heart is far from Him. He exposes how our traditions and outward pr...

This week we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 14:13-36. In the text we see Jesus miraculously provide food, walk on water, and heal all those who are sick. A key moment in the story is when the disciples confess that Jesus is not simply a teacher, or miracle-worker, he's the Son of God. Matthew writes, "And those in the boat worshiped him, saying...

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 14:1-12. We see Herod the Tetrach's response as he hears about the fame of Jesus. His only explanation is a risen John the Baptist from the grave. We are then led through a flashback and witness the sordid and disturbing details that led to the beheading of John. We see in Herod a leader who was af...

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 13:44-58. In our text this morning Jesus teaches about the worth of the kingdom, the right response of joyful sacrifice, the final separation at the end of the age, and the wrong kind of response in offense and unbelief. Jesus shows us that if you see the surpassing value of the kingdom, you'll joy...

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 13:24-43. Jesus gives three parables about weeds among wheat, mustard seeds, and leaven. The structure of the text seems to emphasize a central point that the kingdom of God will grow together alongside evil. While the kingdom of heaven may seem insignificant and small at the start, it will inevita...

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 13:1-23. Jesus tells a parable about a sower who sows seeds on a path, rocky ground, among the thorns, and on good soil. Jesus instructs his disciples, "To you it has been to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given" (Matthew 13:11). The secrets of the kingdom ar...

This week we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 12:38-50. After the scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you," Jesus replies, "No sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah." Jesus declares that the people of Nineveh and the queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation...

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 12:15-37. Matthew shows how Jesus fulfills what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah. Jesus is the chosen servant of the Lord. He will not break a bruised reed and he will not put out a smoldering wick, until he brings justice to victory and in his name the Gentiles will hope. Jesus drives our demons b...

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 12:1-14. In the text we see that Jesus is the Son of Man who is Lord of the Sabbath. Jesus is the greater David, the greater Priest, and the greater Temple. Jesus says, "If you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless" (Matthew 12:7)...

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 11:20-30. In our text today we see a picture of the admirable conjunctions, or diverse excellencies of Jesus. He pronounces judgment and extends a sweet invitation. In Jesus there is not only perfect justice and judgment, but perfect grace and love. We also see the antimony of the glorious balance...

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 11:1-19. John the Baptist sends his disciples to Jesus to ask him, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" Jesus responds to those disciples by quoting Scripture and talking about John the Baptist. He concludes by describing his generation in how they've criticized both John...

Happy Easter! This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 10:26-42. In the text Jesus teaches his disciples that they don't need to fear others or even death, but are only to fear God alone and not being in right relationship with him. Jesus teaches that his disciples can live without fear of others because of God's sovereign providence. Jes...

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 10:1-25. Jesus calls twelve apostles who learn from him and are sent out in his authority. These individuals were not special or deserving of Jesus' call. Jesus calls flawed individuals to him and then equips them for the ministry that he has for them. Jesus teaches his disciples what they are to d...

This week we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 9:18-38. In our text today we explore the final set of three stories and a summary of Jesus' ministry. Jesus heals two women, two blind men, and a demon-oppressed man who was mute. In these stories, the individuals Jesus heals are helpless and desperate for healing. Matthew writes, "When he [Jesus] sa...

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 9:1-17. Matthew shows us that Jesus is the Son of Man who has authority to forgive sins. Jesus doesn't just have the power to forgive sins, but he also has the desire. Jesus said, "Go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners"...

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 8:1-17. In our text today, we explore three miracles. Jesus heals a leper, the servant of a Gentile Centurion, and a woman, Peter’s mother-in-law. These are three kinds of people that were viewed as less than and considered religious outsiders by the Jewish religious leaders.  In the story we see t...

This morning we conclude the Sermon on the Mount as we consider Matthew 7:13-29. Jesus wraps up the Sermon on the Mount by giving three analogies to show us there are two ways to live. Disciples of Jesus are to enter through the narrow gate, onto the difficult way of hardship, under the authority of Jesus. Jesus warns us to beware of the false prophets who are like wolves dressed in sheep's clothi...

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 7:1-12. Jesus teaches us that instead of judging others with a harsh condemnation or a prideful posture, we are to seek to humble ourselves and have discernment. Jesus invites us to prayer and dependency upon our Father who is in heaven. We are to ask, seek, knock, and expect good gifts as children...

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 6:25-34. Jesus teaches his disciples to not be anxious, but instead to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. He asks, "Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?" (Matthew 6:25b) He asks, "And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?"...

This week we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 6:19-24. Jesus teaches, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rest destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal" (Matthew 6:19-20). We should stor...

This week we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 6:1-18. Jesus teaches his disciples, "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 6:1). Jesus gives us a warning against the wrong kind of righteousness. This wrong kind of righteo...

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew looking at Matthew 5:21-48. Jesus gives six "You have heard it said," statements and gives teaching about anger, lust, divorce, oaths, retaliation, and loving your enemies. Jesus contrasts the faulty interpretation and application of the Law by the religious leaders and corrects their faulty understanding. In the sermon...

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we look at Matthew 5:13-20. Jesus teaches his disciples, "You are the salt of the earth," and "You are the light of the world." Jesus tells his followers, "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). On our ow...

This morning as we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew we consider The Beatitudes from Matthew 5:1-12. Jesus gives commendations and descriptions of the good life. Jonathan Pennington writes, "As prophet and sage, Jesus is offering and inviting his hearers into the way of being in the world that will result in their true and full flourishing now and in the age to come." I...