This week, Matthew turns up the heat as Jesus confronts the religious authorities in the temple courts. We explore what life under the authority of king Jesus is like, and where in life we can do the will of the Father.

The most dangerous thing Christians have to deal with is not external opposition, but internal hypocrisy. No dark force is more destructive to the work of God in the Church than a Christian who lives a double life. In today's teaching, Evan Wickham unpacks the story of Jesus aggressively confronting the hypocrisy of Israel in the Temple courts. He drives the insiders out and brings the outsiders in. This is a much-needed message for the church today. When there is sin and compromise among the people of God, it destroys the culture God is trying to build in the world. Plus, religious hypocrisy is what people outside the church can't stand. We need to allow Jesus to confront us, and then humble ourselves before him.

The most dangerous thing Christians have to deal with is not external opposition, but internal hypocrisy. No dark force is more destructive to the work of God in the Church than a Christian who lives a double life. In today's teaching, Evan Wickham unpacks the story of Jesus aggressively confronting the hypocrisy of Israel in the Temple courts. He drives the insiders out and brings the outsiders in. This is a much-needed message for the church today. When there is sin and compromise among the people of God, it destroys the culture God is trying to build in the world. Plus, religious hypocrisy is what people outside the church can't stand. We need to allow Jesus to confront us, and then humble ourselves before him.

When the Jesus project suddenly goes public, the whole city gets shaken up. Are we praising Jesus as the king that he is? Are we aware that the king has arrived and is present?

When the Jesus project suddenly goes public, the whole city gets shaken up. Are we praising Jesus as the king that he is? Are we aware that the king has arrived and is present?

A few of the key transitions and illustrations in this sermon originally appeared in Jon Tyson’s Q Ideas talk entitled “The Burden Is Light.” For his his talk or his book by the same title, visit the episode notes for this podcast.

-----------------------------------------

Jesus is nearing his final week. The cross is looming as Jesus and his disciples begin the journey up the Jerusalem road. As they begin the ascent, Jesus asks two different people the same question: "What do you want me do to for you?" In this teaching, Evan Wickham invites us to allow Jesus to confront our deepest desires. This might be the most important question we could ever respond to. What do you want Jesus to do for you?

A few of the key transitions and illustrations in this sermon originally appeared in Jon Tyson’s Q Ideas talk entitled “The Burden Is Light.” For his his talk or his book by the same title, visit the episode notes for this podcast.

-----------------------------------------

Jesus is nearing his final week. The cross is looming as Jesus and his disciples begin the journey up the Jerusalem road. As they begin the ascent, Jesus asks two different people the same question: "What do you want me do to for you?" In this teaching, Evan Wickham invites us to allow Jesus to confront our deepest desires. This might be the most important question we could ever respond to. What do you want Jesus to do for you?

When his disciples start asking questions about status and wealth, Jesus shatters their paradigm once again, this time with a parable about an irrationally generous vineyard owner. Jesus brilliantly cuts to the root motivations of our hearts. We have a toxic addiction to unhealthy comparison. Jesus is offering the cure. Whether we move toward sickness or health depends on our willingness to receive the medicine of truth from the Healer.

When his disciples start asking questions about status and wealth, Jesus shatters their paradigm once again, this time with a parable about an irrationally generous vineyard owner. Jesus brilliantly cuts to the root motivations of our hearts. We have a toxic addiction to unhealthy comparison. Jesus is offering the cure. Whether we move toward sickness or health depends on our willingness to receive the medicine of truth from the Healer.

When Jesus meets up with a rich young ruler, they have a conversation that has massive implications for 21st century Western Christians. The guy is wealthy, connected, and faithful to the law. But according to Jesus, he's still missing something. The rich young ruler is unwilling to let go of his own comforts for the sake of the underprivileged, and Jesus lovingly rebukes him for it. This might be one of Jesus' most challenging teachings for the church in our time and place. It's hard to follow Jesus!