Matthew was a Jewish man writing to a Jewish audience and giving testimony regarding the life and ministry of the Messiah who had been foretold by many of the Jewish prophets. During the past four messages, we have considered the authenticity of the authority of Jesus through the display of His power over disease, nature, demons, sin, death and handicaps. Jesus now begins to expands His ministry through the commissioning of His disciples to represent Him and the Kingdom throughout Israel. Jesus gave His disciples authority to cast out evil spirits, heal diseases and even raise people from the dead! This commissioning of His disciples comes following the recollection of the compassion of Jesus for the multitudes. This message was presented on Sunday, November 25, 2018 by Bob Corbin.

All authority intrinsically is backed by some power. Behind the 'exousia' (authority) there has to be some 'dunamos' (power). In the previous two messages, we began considering the proof of the messianic authority of Jesus as it was revealed in His power over the physical and spiritual realms. First, we considered His authority over Disease and Nature. Last week we considered His authority over demons. Today's message considers Jesus' authority over sin. First, we see His interaction with the young paralytic man who was carried to Jesus by his four friends. Earlier, in Capernaum, Jesus had healed the Centurion's servant who was paralyzed. This time Jesus doesn't heal, He forgives! This young man was suffering from what would be referred today as 'Conversion Disorder.' Jesus knew that it wasn't a physical or psychological issue - it was a spiritual issue. Second, we see Jesus' interaction both with Matthew the tax collector and, subsequently, with Matthew's friends. Jesus stated, 'Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick... I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.' Have you responded to His call?. This message was presented on Sunday, November 11, 2018 by Bob Corbin.

When Jesus had concluded His teaching, the people were astonished because 'He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.' All authority intrinsically is backed by some power. Behind the 'exousia' (authority) there has to be some 'dunamos' (power). In the previous message, we began considering the proof of the messianic authority of Jesus as it was revealed in His power over the physical and spiritual realms. First, we considered His authority over Disease and Nature. Today's message considers Jesus' interaction with the demoniacs of the Garadenes. Many in our country, and even in the church, do not truly believe in the existence of demons. They may give intellectual assent to the spiritual but do not realize as Paul stated, 'We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.' (Eph 6:12) There are more than just the demoniacs involved in this event. There are actually four different groups of people to consider as we examine the passage: the disciples, the demoniacs, the swineherds and the citizens of the country. In the end, we are challenged to consider the worth of the soul. This message was presented on Sunday, November 4, 2018 by Bob Corbin.

Jesus began His ministry with the command for people to 'Repent.' The Greek word is 'metanoia' which means 'change the way you think.' Jesus then taught the people how to think differently. They should have a kingdom worldview. At the conclusion of the 'Sermon on the Mount' the people were astonished because 'He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.' All authority intrinsically is backed by some power. Behind the 'exousia' (authority) there has to be some 'dunamos' (power). The goal for the next three messages is to consider the proof of the messianic authority of Jesus as it was revealed in His power over the physical and spiritual realms. In today's message we consider the display of Jesus' authority over diseases (seen in His healing of individual's who suffered with skin disease, paralysis, and infection) and over nature itself (calming a raging storm with a command of His voice). This message was presented on Sunday, October 28, 2018 by Bob Corbin.

We have moved into the final portion of Scripture commonly referred to as 'The Sermon on the Mount.' Jesus has been sharing the Standard of His Kingdom; a standard which is different and higher than that of the world, and is definitive in nature - you either serve God or the world. We have moved into the final portion of that Scripture commonly referred to as 'The Sermon on the Mount.' Jesus has been sharing the Standard of His Kingdom; a standard which is different and higher than that of the world, and is definitive in nature - you either serve God or the world. The Kingdom Standard is also a Practical Standard. The application of this Different, Higher, Definitive Standard should bring discernment. Discernment is the ability to judge well. Jesus addresses our need for discernment in three areas: our insights, our path, and our foundation. Today's message considers our need for discernment as we consider what foundation we are building our lives upon. In this well known passage, Jesus compares the one who hears His teachings, and heeds them, to a wise man who built his house upon a rock. However, the one who hears the teachings of Jesus, and ignores them, is compared to a foolish man who builds his house upon the sand. This message was presented on Sunday, October 21, 2018 by Bob Corbin.

We have moved into the final portion of Scripture commonly referred to as 'The Sermon on the Mount.' Jesus has been sharing the Standard of His Kingdom; a standard which is different and higher than that of the world, and is definitive in nature - you either serve God or the world. In the last message, we began consider that the Kingdom Standard is also a Practical Standard. The application of this Different, Higher, Definitive Standard should bring discernment. Discernment is the ability to judge well. It is the art of thinking critically without being unnecessarily critical! Jesus addresses our need for discernment in three areas: our insights, our path, and our foundation. Today's message considers our need for discernment in choosing our path and our teachers. This message was presented on Sunday, October 14, 2018 by Bob Corbin.

We have been considering the portion of Scripture commonly referred to as 'The Sermon on the Mount.' In it Jesus, as the King, is sharing the Standard of His Kingdom. The Kingdom Standard is Different and Higher than that of the world; indeed, the Standard is the perfection of God. It is as well a definitive Standard - there is no middle ground; you are either serving God or the world. Jesus stated, 'You cannot serve two Masters.' Today, we begin to see that the Kingdom Standard is a Practical Standard. The application of this Different, Higher, Definitive Standard should bring discernment. Discernment is the ability to judge well. It is the art of thinking critically without be unnecessarily critical! As we examine this final portion of the Sermon on the Mount, we will be considering three focal points of discernment; beginning with our 'insights.'. This message was presented on Sunday, October 7, 2018 by Bob Corbin.

Jesus has been sharing with the people the standards of His Kingdom. The standards of His Kingdom are different than those of this world. They are higher standards and as we began to consider last week, they are definitive standards. There is no middle ground, you are either serving God or this world. Whose side you are on can generally be determined by honestly asking yourself two questions: 'Whose applause are you seeking?' and 'Who treasure are you seeking?' Today's message considers the second question. This message was presented on Sunday, September 30, 2018 by Bob Corbin.

Jesus' message was the same as the message of His forerunner, John the Baptist. That message was: 'Repent (metanoia-change the way you think) because the Kingdom of the Heavens has drawn near.' In the passage, classically referred to as 'The Sermon on the Mount,' Jesus teaches the people what Kingdom Thinking looks like. Not only are the standards of the Kingdom different and higher than those of the world, they are also definitive. The standards you follow define who you follow. Whose side you are on can generally be determined by honestly asking yourself two questions: 'Whose applause are you seeking?' and 'Who treasure are you seeking?' Today's message considers the first of those question. This message was presented on Sunday, September 23, 2018 by Bob Corbin.

As Jesus taught the people regarding the Standards of the Kingdom, He made a very strong statement: 'Unless your righteousness abound greater than that of the Scribes and Pharisees, you will be no means enter the kingdom of God.' To fully understand that statement, you must place yourself in the sandals of Jewish individual of that day. The Scribes and the Pharisees were considered to be the most righteous people of the day! Jesus then continued speaking with the authority of the King (which He was, and is) revealing the full intent of the Law. The chapter concludes with a verse that actually holds out great hope: 'You shall be perfect ...' This message was presented on Sunday, September 16, 2018 by Bob Corbin.