This short passage includes some of the most important, and the most precious, words of Jesus in the whole Bible.

Some of the most serious, solemn words in all Scripture are spoken here, by the Lord Jesus Christ, to people who had the privilege of seeing and hearing him preach right in front of them - but who did not repent.

Jesus calls John the Baptist the greatest man who ever lived - but then says there are many more who are greater than him! What does this mean? And is it ok to be a Christian and have doubts?

The conclusion of Jesus' sermon is not exactly a gentle one. In no uncertain terms, he spells out the cost of serving him. However, he also makes clear that those following him on his mission will be rewarded in the end.

So many of the psalms describe periods of great hardship in the psalmist's life. Here, some of David's hardest experiences serve as a prophecy of what the Lord Jesus himself would endure for poor, needy sinners to received salvation.

"Nobody said it was easy; no one ever said it would be this hard." We are sometimes tempted to think that when the going gets tough. But it is not a complaint we can make if we are on mission for the Lord Jesus; he has told us exactly how hard it will be, even that we will face persecution for proclaiming him. Yet, he also gives us good reasons not to fear, and to endure.

Christ himself needed deliverance, from death and hell on the cross. Because he was the perfect, sinless but sin-bearing servant of God, he has been delivered! He now offers deliverance to all who call on him. Like Christ, once we have experienced deliverance, we ought to declare it.

1. The Personnel on Messiah's Mission

2. The Purpose of Messiah's Mission

3. The Pressing Urgency of Messiah's Mission

4. The Peace Offered - and Warning Given - of Messiah's Mission

Sometimes we get so caught up in the enjoyment and good things of life that we forget how fleeting and brief our existence is. Equally, times of sorrow and pain can feel never-ending - and again, we forget that our days are numbered. This psalm helps us to regain the right perspective, and to call to the God of eternity to give us hope beyond this fleeting life.

In Matthew 10 the Lord Jesus will speak at length to his twelve disciples/apostles about the short-term mission he is about to send them on. Before that we consider three requirements or anyone preparing to serve him on mission.