In this passage, we look at the cryptic parable of Christ which details how a man's heart can go from bad to worse unless it is inhabited by the grace…
In this passage, we see Jesus make clear that He is the greater and better Solomon, and shows an example of someone who understood how powerful the wisdom of God…
In this passage, we see Christ make clear that the things we say are just as powerful and as damning as any other action, thought, or lifestyle we choose to…
In this section, we look at Christ's clear exposition of the nature of sin, man, and the fruits of the heart. Christ makes it clear that while the soul of…
Today we finish the last sections of the book of Joel, as a brief survey, and look at God's judgment upon sin, but also at His promise of merciful redemption…
In this message, we take a break from Matthew to look at a basic overview of the message of the book of Joel, a minor prophet. Joel's essential message is…
In this section we look at Matthew's quotation of Isaiah, how it describes Christ, and the nature of Christ's relationship with His Father through action and nature.
In this passage, we look at the calling of Christ from Isaiah, and how clear His mission of mercy is from the Old Testament. We also look briefly at the…
Here we look at Jesus' confrontation of the local Pharisees, and their self-righteousness. The incredible contrast between the need for mercy and grace towards humanity, and the sinfulness of mankind,…
In this passage, we see that Jesus makes clear that a correct and right interpretation of the Sabbath will make clear it's purpose; to show that Christ is the end…
In this message, we look at the Pharisees' and Jesus' both, and their interpretation of the Law and it's purpose. Unfortunately unless one understands the nature and purpose of the…
In this passage, we look at Christ's "yoke," which He urges us to carry instead of the Yoke of the Law. When we take up the humble learning of Christ…
In this message, we look at Christ's call for us to rest in His authority, and put aside our endless burden of self-righteousness in exchange for the goodness of God.
In this passage, we look at Jesus' statements about His Father, the world, and salvation only possible through Him. Without His total authority and infinite Personhood, there can be no…
In this passage, we begin to look at the somewhat spontaneous prayer of Christ, who rejoices over His Father's will on this Earth.
In this message, we look at Christ's condemning statements for the respectable and somewhat "good" Jewish population that refuses to repent and acknowledge Christ.
In this passage, we see Jesus' warning against those who do not take the message of John the Baptist and Himself seriously. He illustrates depravity and the need to use…
In this message, we look at John the Baptist's identity as shown in the Old Testament.
In this passage, we deal with a few difficult verses to interpret. Jesus explains the timeline and necessity of John in words sometimes harder to understand.
In this passage, we look at John the Baptist's expectations of Christ. When even faithful servants of God place wrong expectations upon Jesus Christ, they will be disappointed.
In this message, we look at Christ's promise of reward for those who serve the Kingdom and glory of God, even in the smallest possible capacity.
In this message we look at God's use of unrighteous people, who are made righteous by Christ, and then rewarded graciously by God for being part of the Kingdom.
We can be confident and encouraged to know Jesus identifies with our word and mission.
In this passage, we see Jesus tell us how to live, by dying. Without the death that sacrifice, self-denial and service to the Kingdom of God brings, we will not…
In this passage, we look at Paul's discussion of the resurrection and why this matters to us.
In this passage, we see Christ require self-denial and self sacrifice from His disciples. These are core traits of the Christian life that we have to model, as our Savior…
God commands us to love Him in a worthy way, something only possible through Christ.
Jesus comes specifically to bring division and destruction, before He institutes peace.
Disciples of Christ should never deny Christ in the face of hostility.
If we understand God’s complete control over all life, will have no fear of the world.
Even though we will face persecution and suffering for the sake of the Gospel, Jesus tells us to have no fear! He commands us and states that no matter what…
In this message, Christ explains the nature of the teacher/disciple relationship, but instead, flips it to show His own level of persecution compared to ours. This is something we must…
In this passage, Christ continues His warnings against those who will attack us for the sake of the Gospel. Even family and friends are not above silencing the message of…
In this message, Jesus reminds the disciples not to be concerned about outward troubles and trials that come from faithfully preaching the Gospel.
In this message, we begin a new paragraph and observe some warnings Jesus informs us about the world and it's aggression against the Gospel. We can prepare to be hated…
In this section, Jesus instructs the disciples with some very pragmatic and necessary commands for how to function as traveling missionaries. While their context is specific to their time and…
In this section, we see Jesus give the disciples specific instructions for how to evangelize to the people of God throughout Judea. It is imperative that they preach with urgency,…
In this message, Jesus speaks to the temporary, but necessary, mission to the Jewish people over and above the Gentile people at this time. Some significant understandings of covenant theology…
Here we see the work of Christ as He begins the process of electing and then sending the disciples. Join us as we look at the nature of the disciples,…
In this Christmas passage, we look at the iconic story of the shepherds and their encounter with the angelic hosts who announce the birth of Christ. Here we see real…
In the final verses of chapter 9, we see Jesus' genuine desire to help and save the lost sheep that are sinful people upon this Earth. This should demonstrate to…
In this message, we look at the decisions humanity must face if it confronts the power of Christ directly. In the face of His total divinity and humanity, one can…
In this passage, we look at Jesus' interaction with two blind men, and their conditional salvation. This miracle is phrased differently than so many, as Christ questions their faith and…
In this passage, we look at Jesus' interaction with the woman who has suffered for twelve years. God oftentimes works in spite of our imperfect faith, saving and healing us…
In this passage, we see Jesus directly address how the people view death. Some of the most critical aspects of our life depend on our view of death. Jesus corrects…
In this message, Christ answers the legalistic Pharisees and disciples of John with two parabolic statements. Both of them show that it is impossible to simply "patch" or "easy fix"…
In this message, Christ addresses the accusation that He is not righteous from some of His detractors. He answers the question of fasting, and whether or not He ultimately came…
In part one of this section of Scripture, Jesus answers the questions of some objectors to His ministry. When He works and lives among sinful people, society rejects Him. But…
Here we see the ultimate story and calling of discipleship. The story of Matthew's calling by Jesus is the most inverse expectation in this context. Of all possible people Christ…
In this story, we see Jesus demonstrate authority of the ultimate spiritual kind; the power to forgive people's sins. This massive show of Christ's divine power is challenged only by…
In this passage, we see Jesus' unusual confrontation with the demonic forces north of Galilee, including the one called "Legion." We see Christ's dialogue with them, and how He deals…
In this message, we look into the purpose of Jesus ordaining, permitting, and then rebuking the disciples for their lack of faith and their fear. When fear is opposed to…
In this message, we look at the cost of discipleship, which is something Jesus requires of all disciples, both then, and now. We see two examples of men eager to…
Here we see Christ fulfill a prophetic statement in Isaiah, where He not only removes sin and the consequences through His sacrifice, but also the effects. Christians hope in the…
In this passage, we see Jesus confronted by an outsider who desires healing for someone close to him. Such great faith from the centurion shows the implicit trust and reliance…
In this message, we see Jesus begin a ministry of healing and calling disciples to come and follow Him. Here He heals the impossible; leprosy, which is incurable, unclean, and…
In this passage, we look at Christ's metaphor of the two buildings, one built on stone, one built on sand. Those who do not take Christ seriously, while full well…
In this passage, we look at Jesus' commands about obeying Him as opposed to listening. While listening, hearing, and studying is important, it is nothing without personal submission to His…
In this message, Christ details for us the serious dangers of false prophets and their teachings. All throughout history and Scripture, those who manipulate and abuse God's name and Scripture…
In this message, Alex discusses Christ's parabolic statement about the eventual outcome of everyone in two possible ways. While the world and the flesh encourage us to seek many wide…
In this message, we look at Jesus' most famous saying in the Sermon on the Mount; what is commonly called the "Golden Rule." This idea should govern how we act…
In this message, we look at Christ's words that inform us of our Father's willingness to grant the requests of His children. This is critical to the life of the…
Take a look at this controversial and confusing passage, in which Christ discusses the nature of depravity and the importance of the believer's ability to discern when and where God's…
In this message, Alex discusses Christ's opening words in chapter 7 of Matthew, where Christ heavily condemns harsh judgment and hypocrisy in believers. While there is still obviously a sense…
In this message, Alex looks at one of the "socially acceptable" sins that Christ condemns; the sin of worry and doubt for our preservation. Our God promises to take care…
In this passage, we look at Christ's iconic representation of us as His disciples, who are either slaves to His love, or the world that hates Him. There is no…
In this message, we look at Christ's metaphorical statement, where He describes our need to fill ourselves with a correct purpose and focus that brings light, not darkness. If we…
In this message, we look at a new section, in which Christ makes it clear that physical things, material goods, and earthly luxuries, will not yield real lasting life and…
There is so much information on fasting, but oftentimes very little clear biblical truth as to it's purpose and reason. Why should believers fast? What purpose does it serve? We…
In this message, we look at the absolute importance of forgiveness and mercy in our lives and hearts. The holding onto grievances and sins against ourselves destroy our sanctification, and…
In this message, we deal with some of the serious questions regarding the authenticity of Scripture, difficult textual criticism problems, and how we can still be sanctified and focused upon…
This Easter, we look at the resurrection story as described in Luke 24, and how the disciples react to the message of His risen nature. We see that not only…
In this message, we look at the final requests in the prayer that focus on protection, and guidance. Christ commands us here to pray that God preserve us from sin,…
The most defining aspect of Gospel-centered people is the aspect of grace. We as a people need to be reminded how great the grace is that we have been shown,…
The Lord provides for His people. This is one of the most critical truths we need to remember when times get difficult. This message focuses on the Lord's provision as…
What is the will of God? How do we determine it? Is it set in stone, or subject to man's will? These are questions this request demands we answer. We…
The coming of the Kingdom of the Lord is a future event. It will be a final event, and a glorious event that all of God's people should look forward…
In the beginning of the Lord's Prayer, we see that Christ forces us to focus upon the object and Person answering the prayer; God Himself. Without a correct understanding of…
We continue our discussion of Christ's admonitions against wrong and selfish praying. He deals here with the problem fallen human beings have, of getting stuck in "ruts" in our prayer…
Here we see that Christ addresses a real problem that happens in our prayer life: The issue of praying to be heard by others. If our prayers are not single-minded…
Entering this new chapter of Matthew's Gospel, we see Christ discuss serious issues with godly actions that are performed for ulterior, selfish motives. Such actions do nothing to please God.…
In this message, we look at God's relationship with His people of the Old Testament, Israel, and the kings that ruled over them. When a people reject their trust in…
In this message, we conclude our study of Matthew 5 by seeing a simple, but incredible command from Christ; how to love those that hate you, treat you poorly, and…
In this message, we finish the paragraph where Christ commands us to be willing to give up our rights, safeguards, and ourselves, in order to serve people that we don't…
In this passage, we look at how believers are supposed to act when they are confronted with sinful, abusive, selfish people. In the midst of difficult situations, God calls us…
In this message, Christ commands us to show undeserved mercy and grace to those who are evil and malicious against us. As Christ has shown us grace and forgiveness, so…
In this message, we explore the nature of Simeon's statements about the coming of the long awaited Messiah. The prophet Simeon understands the sovereign and historical importance of His coming,…
This Christmas, we looked at the story of Simeon, and how Mary and Joseph fulfill the prophetic purpose of the Old Testament, by bringing their firstborn Son, Christ, to be…
In this passage, we look at Christ's discussion of oaths, vows, and promises. Christians should be a people that mean what they say, regardless of outside witnesses.
Revelation is such a difficult and challenging book, but in finality the message remains the same, no matter what many of the interpretative differences may be; that Christ is King…
In this section, we look at Christ's statement on Christian believers and divorce, an issue that is highly divisive, difficult, and common today. We cannot understand divorce until we understand…
Take pains to eliminate methods and circumstances that lead to temptation in life.
When we sin in anger or outburst, take pains to resolve the situation. Consider carefully when making amends with someone, how important it is.
The bottom line is, Christ tells us, righteous and holy people don’t abide in anger.
Conformity to laws and creeds isn’t enough. We need heart change. Christ is greater than the Law. We are under even greater standards.
Salt: To preserve this world from extreme sin and destruction, by influencing it with the Gospel. Light: To shine and example the Gospel and Christ’s character, so others will praise…
We need to change our mindset to realize happiness isn’t in worldly acceptance. We need to realize happiness is staying different from the rest of the world. And when persecution…
A believer should never be satisfied with their level of righteousness and holiness. Join us as we look at the need for believers to continually seek the Gospel and strive…
Why does Christ bless the "mourning" of believers? We found out the nature of "godly sorrow" vs. "worldly sorrow" in this discussion of Christ's statement.