Encountering Jesus the Messianic Son of God
Jesus challenges us to answer who He truly is—not merely a prophet or teacher, but the Messianic Son of God Who builds and sustains His Church and restores us to relationship with God.
Matthew 16:13-20
Encountering Jesus the True Rest
In contrast to the pressures of life, false gods, destructive sins, and crushing legalism that create unrest, Jesus offers Himself as the true rest—calling us to learn from Him and experience the peace that comes from His presence.
Matthew 11:28-30
Encountering Jesus the True Son of God
Jesus is the True Son of God Who withstood Satan’s temptations and obeyed God to save us and help us to resist Satan.
Matthew 3:16-4:11
Series Outline for Christmas Surprises
The story of the first Christmas, recorded in Matthew 1 and 2, is full of surprises, each of which reveals an aspect of the Gospel that still has the power to amaze us today.
Christmas Surprises
The story of the first Christmas, recorded in Matthew 1 and 2, is full of surprises, each of which reveals an aspect of the Gospel that still has the power to amaze us today.
Matthew 1-2
Surprise Worshippers
In a stunning Christmas surprise, the Magi – pagan scholars skilled in religious texts, dreams, and the stars – become the first Gentile worshipers of Jesus, foreshadowing God’s plan to call followers from every nation.
Matthew 2:1-23
Surprise Reactions
In a surprising twist, the news about Jesus unmasked three responses still common today: Herod’s hostile fear, the religious leader’s complacent indifference, and the Magi’s joyful worship.
Matthew 2:1-18
Surprise Pregnancy
Jesus’ miraculous conception confronted Joseph and Mary with a scandalous, faith-testing situation that required radical obedience, revealing how God fulfills His ancient promises through the most surprising means.
Matthew 1:18-25
Surprise Family Tree
Matthew’s genealogy presents Jesus as the royal Son of David, the promised Seed of Abraham who will bless all nations, and the Savior who redeems a family tree—and a world—marred by startling sin and scandal.
Matthew 1:1-17
Series Outline for Ancient Words, Living Faith – The Nicene Creed
Far from being ancient, irrelevant, lifeless words, the Nicene Creed crystallized the essential teachings of Scripture and remains the vital foundation for a living faith in the modern world.
We Believe – In the Living Tradition
Christians are called to uphold the living apostolic tradition—not as empty ritual, but as the unchanging truth received with a faith that is alive, growing, and joyfully obedient to God’s Word.
Matthew 15:6-9; 1 Corinthians 11:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:15 (ESV)
Rooted – Reach the World
Christians are rooted in God’s grace and flourish as they are engaged in reaching the world, both locally and internationally, with the Gospel so that others may hear and respond to the Gospel.
Colossians 2:6-7; Matthew 28:19-20
The Peace Of Judgement
Judgement is real, judgement is satisfying, and judgement is elevating. Jesus as the judge is a delight.
Matthew 25:31-46
Greater Love Has No One
Jesus emphasizes the greatest commandments: to love God and to love our neighbors. Genuine love always involves sacrifice, mirroring Christ’s ultimate act of laying down His life for us.
Matthew 22:34-40; John 15:13
Extended Cut – Israel’s Judgement Day
Jesus pronounced final judgment upon the leaders and people of Israel for the willful, persistent refusal to receive God’s messengers, culminating in their rejection of Him as their Messianic King.
Matthew 23
Fast From, Feast On
Following Jesus’ pattern of fasting and feasting, abstaining from food and activities to feast upon the Presence of God, is key to experiencing a flourishing life.
Matthew 4:1-4; Luke 7:33-34
The Gift of God’s Word
God has given us His Word, the Bible, to feed us, guide us, point us to Christ, and show us how to live in a manner that is pleasing to Him and for our good.
Matthew 4:4; 2 Timothy 3:14-17
The Good Builder
When we pursue Christ, we can withstand the storm, be cleansed from our sin, and grow wise as we become more like Him.
Matthew 7:24-27
Christ Through My Eyes – Christmas Eve 2021
The central question for every human is how they see and respond to Christ – whether with faith and worship like the Magi or with fear and rejection like Herod.
Matthew 2:1-18
Purity in an Impure Age
The world is constantly working to press us into its mold. Jesus promises the blessing of seeing God if, in humility, we allow Him to purify our hearts through single-mindedly focusing on Him.
Matthew 5:8 ESV
My Only Comfort – Part 2
Question 98: Knowing all of these things, what is your only comfort in life and death?
Knowing all of these things, what is your only comfort in life and death? That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, has fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; indeed, that all things must work together for my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, from this day forth, to live unto him.
Matthew 10:28–31; Romans 8:28–30
God's Unexpected Work and Word
Things won’t always work out the way we think they should, but God uses every circumstance for his maximum glory, and our maximum good.
Matthew 11:2-15
Who Is This?
Jesus is our Lord, our Messiah, and our King, the only begotten-Son of the Father, promised in the Old Testament to rescue His people and join them to His Father.
Matthew 21:1-11
The Summary of God’s Law
Question 10: Can you summarize what God’s law commands you to do?
Answer: All the law is summarized in these two commandments: You shall love the Lord your God with all of your heart, and with all of your soul, and with all of your mind; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Matthew 22:34-40
What Does God Demand of You?
Question 8: What does God demand of you? Answer: God demands that I be perfect in holiness, love, and integrity.
Matthew 5:48