Sometimes it's just best to be direct. In this passage, Jesus directly asks the disciples what the people are saying and what they think about who He is. Peter then makes the declaration that Jesus is the Messiah. After Peter's declaration, Jesus makes a declaration about Peter and how He is going to use him in the future.

Pastor Kevin Craft

When someone unexpected shows up for dinner, sometimes you wonder if you've cooked enough food for everyone. But when you go out to eat, you don't usually have to worry about running out of food - it's their job to make sure there's always enough. In this passage, Jesus shows that He always has enough mercy for us. 

Pastor Kevin Craft

While the Pharisees were concerned with rituals to keep themselves looking good to others, Jesus admonished them to focus on the heart. Sin comes from within. This is the first truth to realize in the path of being clean in the eyes of God. 

Pastor Kevin Craft

We don't like limits. When we're given restrictions, we like to push boundaries because we like to think we are more capable than others give us credit for. But there are many situations in life that are too big for us. And God intentionally puts us in those situations so that we will not rely on ourselves, but look to Him.

Pastor Kevin Craft

In celebrity culture, there are fans and there are critics. This passage says that Jesus was becoming famous in the area and it details two different responses to His notoriety and teaching. 

Pastor Kevin Craft

There are lots of different traditions for Christmas, but there's only one true reason for Christmas. In Jesus' time there were lots of ideas about who He was, but there was only one true Jesus. 

Reagan Berry

Everyone gets excited over a modern-day treasure hunt. Whether it's a sense of accomplishment, or the security and joy that treasure brings, treasure excites us. In this passage, Jesus tells a set of parables about treasure, getting to the heart of what we value most, and making us think, "Would I really want God more than something else?"

Pastor Kevin Craft

Counterfeiting has a long history. Those who practice it are able to produce items that are nearly identical to the original. But it's still not the real thing. In these parables, Jesus teaches about those who are really in the kingdom and those who only appear to be. He also teaches about how the kingdom grows.

Pastor Kevin Craft

What does God want us to experience everyday? Joy, communion with Him through prayer, and thankfulness.

Pastor Kevin Craft

It's not uncommon for people to disagree about the of talent an athlete has. Some may say they're the greatest, others may say they're average. When Jesus performed His miracle, there were two completely different evaluations about Him. And so Jesus not only clarifies who He is, but also turns the mirror to us and tells us how to rightly evaluate ourselves. 

Pastor Kevin Craft