In this text, Jesus faces religious leaders from a sect of Judaism that denied the existence of an afterlife. The Sadducees thought they had devised a flawless theological trap for Jesus. But his response not only exposes the fallacy in their assumptions about Scripture and the power of God but provides true hope in the face of our mortality.

We’ve been told not to talk about religion and politics at the dinner table because they often elicit strong opinions and can be divisive. But politics – when understood broadly as how a group of people make decisions to live together – undergirds what it means to be in community (society, workplace, school, church, etc.). As Christians, how should we view and engage politics in light of our faith? We derive guidance from this morning’s passage where we understand the politics of Jesus as he confronts an explosive issue of his day.

As Jesus’s earthly life and ministry speed towards a dramatic conclusion at the cross, his authority is challenged and ultimately rejected by the religious leaders of his day. While the attitude and actions of his adversaries are the focus, we can also gain profound insights into the nature and character of the God who sent his Son on a mission to the cross.

When Jesus entered Jerusalem that first Palm Sunday, he went to the temple searching for fruit—the fruit of true faith. Sadly, there was none to be found. Consequently, Jesus cursed the temple, foretelling its demise. The question for us is what will he find if he visits our church today?

We experience anxiety and pain when we try to anchor our lives on things that can be so easily upended. The Psalmist exhorts restless and anxious people to root their security and hope in God during times of trouble. But why is God our best safety net in times of trouble?

It’s natural for us to praise things. We praise our children before others. We praise the vacations we’ve been. We praise others for their accomplishments. But we don’t find ourselves praising God easily. In fact, it might even be unnatural. Yet the Biblical authors call upon us to praise God. How do we become more natural in our praise of God?

Psalm 96 unabashedly declares the greatness of God and calls his people to worship him accordingly. This exuberant and uplifting psalm reminds us that God created us and redeemed us as his people so that we would declare his glory among the nations.

Who’s qualified to worship God this morning? Who’s allowed to approach the King of Glory? If this line of questioning seems out of line to you, then you need to take a careful look at this psalm of David.

Psalm 24:1-10

Sermon preached by Pastor Jason Tarn on June 21, 2026

Audio: Renee LeongVideo: Michael JinEdit: Alexa Lopez

For a third time, Jesus predicts his passion, and yet again his disciples fail to see that he is leading them on a path of suffering and servanthood. They’re too blind because they’re too captured by worldly ambition. But surprisingly, Jesus doesn’t expect his disciples to suppress their desire for greatness. Our ambitions don’t need to be repressed. They need to be redeemed.