We've arrived at another transition in our study. We're moving from a narrative section, where Matthew put Christ's power on display, back to a didactic section of the Gospel, where Matthew records Jesus' teaching.--At the end of chapter 9, Matthew pauses to sum up what he's related to his readers so far, and to clarify the motivation of Jesus Christ. Why was He here on the earth---Today, we'll learn about the driving force behind Christ's mission and be challenged to imitate His purpose and plan. It will determine if we really are followers of Christ or just admirers.

Matthew has been taking great pains to show the power of Jesus Christ - the Messiah. He's demonstrated Christ's power over disease, death, nature, and demons, as well as his power to forgive and transform.--Today, we'll learn about Christ's power to restore and that, too, should be of great interest to us. Its not hard to prove that we are all broken and in desperate need of restoration. Sadly, broken people often hate to see others restored, and their hard hearts will be unmoved by God's grace, but happily, Christ's compassion still wins and will be on full display

Matthew has been taking great pains to show the power of Jesus Christ - the Messiah. He's demonstrated Christ's power over disease, nature, and demons, as well as his power to forgive and transform.--Today, we'll learn about Christ's power over death and that should be of great interest to us. After all, human beings have consistently and completely lost the battle with dying. We have reason for hope that only found in the God that has more power than this dark nemesis.

Pastor Pierre Rosa is continuing his preaching through the Gospel of Matthew, and today we're in chapter 9.--Christ's demands on the world are not small. He is not asking people to be better- He is not asking people to try harder- He's not even asking people to be nice. Jesus is asking people to follow Him and be transformed - in heart and mind.--That's the theme of the message today - Jesus' power to transform, and that should give us all hope. Because in this portion of Matthews account, Jesus transforms the lives of the worst of society and makes them His true disciples.

Pastor Pierre Rosa is continuing his preaching through the Gospel of Matthew, and today we start into chapter 9.--The chapter opens with a familiar account of Jesus' teaching being interrupted by 4 men opening a hole in the roof of the house Jesus was in and lowering their crippled friend down to him on ropes. They really knew how to make an entrance, it seems.--You might think this would be another illustration of Jesus' power over disease and sickness - and it is. But as we'll learn, this is much more about Jesus' power - as God - to forgive. And oh, how we need forgiveness

Pastor Pierre Rosa is continuing his preaching through the Gospel of Matthew, and today we will finish up chapter 8.--Matthew has turned his attention to the power that Jesus displayed. Many old testament prophecies foretold the kind of power the true Messiah would demonstrate on his arrival. Matthew is connecting the dots.--We've seen Jesus' power over disease and over nature. Now we'll see Jesus' power over demons and the spiritual realm - but as before, we'll discover that everything - material and immaterial - is subject to God's will. And that give us great reason for hope and peace.

Pastor Pierre Rosa is continuing his preaching through the Gospel of Matthew, and today we mid-way through chapter 8.--After finishing his account of the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus preached, Matthew has turned his attention to the power Jesus displayed. Many old testament prophecies foretold the kind of power the true Messiah would demonstrate on his arrival.--We've seen Jesus' power over disease. Now we'll see Jesus' power over nature - but as we'll discover today, it's not just the nature world that responds to God's will. The pressures of life, the tragedies we encounter and the everyday stressors we feel are all subject to the power of Jesus Christ.

Pastor Pierre Rosa is continuing his preaching through the Gospel of Matthew, and today we start into chapter 8.--After finishing his record of the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus preached, Matthew now turns his attention to the power He displayed. Many old testament prophecies foretold the kind of power the true Messiah would demonstrate on his arrival.--Today we'll see Jesus' power of Disease - just as the prophet Isaiah predicted. But there's much more to this story of healing than meets the eye. Jesus brings healing in a way that demonstrates His matchless character and divinity.

Pastor Pierre Rosa is continuing his preaching through the Gospel of Matthew, and today we're in chapter 7 - the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount.--Life is full of choice. Big and small - we come to crossroads all the time. We're asked to make a decision.--Today, Jesus is asking us to make a decision too. He'll present three contrasts for us to consider, but they all represent the same thing- Will we choose to follow Jesus or not. The answer to that question will determine everything that comes after - including what comes after this life.

Today, we'll expand on this and come across what is known as the Golden Rule. That's not what the bible ever calls the command to -do unto others as you would have done to you.- But there is something very valuable in this rule for godly living.--Pastor Pierre Rosa is continuing his preaching through the Gospel of Matthew, and today we're in chapter 7. We'll wrap up the Sermon on the Mount, including the Golden Rule, and learn once more that God's standard - the divine standard - is not just good advice. It's what God demands of citizens of the kingdom.