Reformed & Expository Preaching

Our Lord teaches, “the first will be last and the last will be first.” If this is the case then why would we want to live or work for the Lord if we are just going to be last? Why would we pursue the Lord if we are not going to receive immediate praise? Why would our Lord say such a thing in terms of working in his vineyard? What is our Lord teaching us about the ultimate joy of the Christian life?

Christ interacts with a man who is neither warm nor cold in terms of his relationship toward Christ.  The man affirms Christ’s authority, but he makes this affirmation as someone who wants to attain God’s affection.  This is a man who is above the rest because he is blinded by his blessing as Matthew informs us that this is a wealthy man with great possessions.  So does blessing necessarily mean one is a follower of Christ?  Does blessing necessarily mean that one is in rebellion against God?  How does one find their place in the the Lord’s kingdom?

It is easy to think that the Lord may in the best case scenario provide our food, but we need to be assertive to secure additional physical blessings. It is tempting to think that the Lord takes care of the spiritual blessings, but we better get busy to secure the physical blessings. However, our Lord commands us to pray that our Lord would provide our daily bread. Why our daily bread? What does daily bread have to do with physical blessings? How does our request for our daily bread challenge us to see the bigger picture of God's provision?

The disciples hear Christ teach about marriage and they figure out that Christ is pretty serious about the marriage commitment.  They ask the logical question: if marriage is so serious then why get marred?  It would seem to make more sense not to marry at all, but to remain single.  So, is it really better not to marry?  Is marriage only for the weak?  Is it sinful to be single?

We are called to do the will of God. We can see in Scripture the commandments that God gives to us challenging us to follow him. However, what does David tell us in Psalm 103? What does it mean that even the angels of heaven are to do the will of the Lord? What is the significance of us praying to do the Lord’s will?

There are many things that we can say about the Kingdom of God, but one thing we must remember is that the kingdom takes residence within us. How do we realize the Lord's kingdom in the midst of turmoil and struggle? How does one gain the wisdom while walking in the Kingdom of God? Does one just study the Scriptures more? Does one just try to mysteriously encounter God more? How does one live out this request that the Lord instructs us to ask our Father in heaven?

One of the frustrating things about witnessing Christ’s interaction with the pharisees is their constant attempt to undermine him rather than being instructed by him. The irony of this is that we do learn things from their interaction even though they do not bear fruits of a teachable heart. So, what does Christ teach us regarding the Lord’s intention for marriage?

Our Lord concludes the second sermon on the mount with a parable that answer’s Peter’s question: how many times do we forgive? Christ speaks of us bearing our cross before the Lord by showing this forgiveness. What is the standard of forgiveness and how does this depth of forgiveness assure us of Christ’s mercy?

Our God is a God who created this world, is above this world, and the one who sustains this world. If all this is true then how can we approach such a Holy God? Can we really draw near to a God who is so exalted and dwelling in heavenly glory? Moses gives us the assurance that when we call upon the Lord’s name we find that the Lord is not distant at all. So, what does the holiness of God’s name tell us about our God?

Christ commands us to confront Christians who offend us or we see in sin. This is an obligation for us under Christ’s cross or christian ethics. However, Christ also commands us to have our concern fixated on the log that is in our own eyes before considering the spec in another’s eye. So, how do we maintain a consistent application of these two commands? How do we live out the cross ethic for the honor and glory of our God without being a busy bodied people?