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Scripture: Matthew 9:1-17 I. Jesus came to forgive sin and change sinners. A. This was Jesus’ mission. Jesus says something totally unexpected in vs. 2: “Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven.” Yes, the man needed healing. But sin is always our greatest problem, and therefore forgiveness is always our greatest need. The scribes thought Jesus was…
Scripture: Matthew 8:18-34 I. The real Jesus makes demands that are personal and costly. A. In vs. 18-22 we meet two men who said they wanted to be Jesus’ disciples. A scribe, a teacher of the law, is quick to make a promise to Jesus in vs. 19: “I will follow you wherever you go.” The real Jesus…
Scripture: Matthew 8:1-17 I. Jesus has the authority to heal and transform. A. Jesus shows He has authority over both sickness and sin by healing a leper (vs. 3). All sickness is caused, directly or indirectly, by sin. In Matthew 1:21 the angel told Joseph about Mary’s child: “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for…
Scripture: Matthew 7:1-12 I. Life in the kingdom of God is not judgmental. A. Matthew 7:1 is perhaps the most well-known Bible verse in America today: “Judge not, that you be not judged.” Does Jesus mean that we should never confront someone doing wrong? No. Proverbs 27:6: “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an…
Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18 I. Be careful of your motivations in living in God’s Kingdom. A. Don’t be a hypocrite (vs. 2, 5, 16). Jesus warns in vs. 1: “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them.” Live for the applause of God, not people. We give to those in need…
Scripture: Matthew 5:17-48 I. We Christians should listen to and obey Jesus’ interpretation of the Law. A. Six times in Matthew 5 Jesus introduces a topic covered in the Old Testament Law by saying, “You have heard that it was said” (vs. 21, 27, 31, 33, 38 and 43). Jesus disagreed with what the Pharisees and scribes said about…
Scripture: Matthew 5:3-16 I. The kingdom’s norms are upside down compared to the world’s norms. A. Jesus comforts His afflicted people by speaking about who is blessed in a series of what are called beatitudes in Matt. 5:3-12. Someone who is blessed is someone who has found God’s approval. To be poor in spirit (vs. 3) is to…
Scripture: Matthew 24:29-35 I. We have hope that Jesus will come with glory and majesty. A. In Matthew 24 Jesus is answering two questions of the disciples. When will the temple be destroyed and when will Jesus come again to earth (vs. 3)? But Jesus said there will be a delay between the destruction of the temple and…
Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12 I. Stress is caused by focusing on me. A. King Herod in Matthew 2 was a paranoid old man. He was stressed out and troubled when he heard the news of a new Jewish king (vs. 3). His paranoia made everyone in Jerusalem troubled (vs. 3) by what violent act he might do next. He wanted to…
Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25 I. The fact that Jesus is Savior can free us from disappointment. A. The facts of Jesus’ birth are found in vs. 18: “When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.” How incredibly disappointing for Joseph to discover…
