A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 17:24-27.

After another prediction of Jesus' death, Matthew, a former tax collector, tells a story about taxes and exemptions. The story includes interesting details and an extraordinary miracle that teaches us about being tax-exempt in the kingdom of Christ.

Big Idea:  Jesus is the King’s Son who forgoes His rights and pays our ransom tax so rely on Him and reflect Him!

1. Recognize the Son’s Lofty Position (24-26)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 17:14-23.

The questions surrounding our faith are many. In this passage, Jesus addresses what the "mountain-moving" faith looks like, and to our surprise, that faith is not big at all. He teaches that mountain-moving faith is not about its size, but about reliance on Him.

Big Idea: The power for life and ministry is rooted in our complete reliance on Jesus and His Word!

1. The Reality of Unbelief (14-18)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 17:1-13.

Jesus had just told His disciples about His identity and plan. He's going to Jerusalem to be crucified, and they're understandably discouraged. So in Matthew 17, Jesus reveals Himself to them in a unique way to build them up in the faith.

‍Big Idea: Our future experience of glory is rooted in the grief of our glorious Savior.

1. A Vision of Glory (1-4)

A sermon by Yan Kislitsa from Matthew 16:21-28.

What does "deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me" mean? Is it about giving up worldly comforts and being ready to die for Jesus, or admitting your unworthiness and inability to save yourself, like admitting to being a criminal deserving of death?

Big Idea: The hope of salvation is built on Jesus’ sacrifice alone and not on our own.

1. The Necessity of Jesus' Cross (21-23)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 16:13-20.

It's tempting to look around and wonder, "What hope does the church have in such a hostile world?" The answer to this question is found in Matthew 16. The church has great hope only because of her builder!

Big Idea: Since Jesus is God and the only door into His Kingdom, the church must profess Him and proclaim Him!

1. A Blessed Profession: Jesus is the Christ, The Son of the Living God (13-17)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 16:1-12.

As Jesus' journey to the cross begins to take front stage, He is more and more concerned for His disciples. He sees a definite threat - not of political instability or changing culture but of the blindness of the human heart to see its sinfulness and His death as its only cure.

Big Idea: Beware of your self-righteousness which blinds you to your ongoing need of Jesus!

1. Be Aware of the Signs (1-4)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 15:29-39.

Many people experience déjà vu when they read about the feeding of four thousand. Although this event is very similar to the feeding of five thousand, it reveals something new about Jesus - He is not only the hope of Israel but also the hope of the Nations.

Big Idea: Jesus affords hope to all who acknowledge their incurable disease, including the Gentiles.

1. Jesus is the Nations’ Hope of Redemption (29-31)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Matthew 15:21-28.

On the heels of Jesus’ encounter with the Jewish leaders who challenged Him, charged Him, and got offended at Him, Matthew presents a Gentile woman who seems to know more about Jesus than all of Israel. The Pharisees saw themselves as righteous; the woman sees herself as desperately ill and in need of great mercy.

Big Idea: Faith that results in genuine worship recognizes Christ as an abundant Lord and self as an undeserving sinner.

1. The Proper Recognition (21-22)

A sermon by Yan Kislitsa from Matthew 15:1-20.

True worship can only be offered by those who have a heart for Christ, being transformed by the work of the Spirit.

Big Idea: Your worship is determined by who you are! Unless God changes your heart your worship is useless!

1. Worship of a Faulty Theology (1-14)

A sermon by Pastor Tim Vusik from Acts 8:26-40.

The narrative of the Ethiopian eunuch is not about a man seeking God, but about God seeking a man. It illustrates how God fulfills the Great Commission by empowering ordinary people to preach extraordinary Christ to those perishing in their sins.

Big Idea: God is determined to save sinners through ordinary people who preach Jesus Christ!

1. A Divine Initiative (26-29)