Restoration Church

Jesus predicted the temple and said it would happen in “this generation” (First Century). It did! Adam Cawrse takes us through the passage from a partial preterist position, highlighting the fact that Jesus’s words were fulfilled. This message focuses on Scripture while highlighting historical documentation of this prophecy’s fulfillment.

Jesus has proven Himself to be the perfect Man, bearing the title Son of Man, the perfect Messiah, bearing the title Son of David, and the perfect Prophet, Priest, and King. The Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes have challenged Jesus to their own detriment. The overarching message of Jesus’ sermons is that no mere human is righteous enough to enter the Kingdom. Only Jesus has perfectly obeyed the law. It is only by His atoning death and resurrection that we may by faith receive the gift of His righteousness. In Matthew 23, Jesus proclaims woes on the Pharisees for following the signs (phylacteries, fringes, tithing, etc.) while neglecting genuine righteousness and faith. Notably, he said that the scribes and pharisees have not entered the kingdom and are “children of hell.” As we see, the way of the Pharisees is not merely an old model of faith; they are following a false religion and are facing judgment for killing the prophets of God.

Pastor Dan takes us through Matthew 23, explaining that faith in Christ is essential for salvation and the false religion of the Pharisees is going to be judged. Jesus provides further details about their judgment in relation to the destruction of the temple in the next Chapter (24).

Side note: There is strong evidence that Talmudic Judaism has its roots in the rabbinic tradition of the Pharisees. Some Pharisees eventually trusted Jesus. Those who did not face judgment in AD 70 as Jesus destroyed the means to practice Judaism. Rather than repent and believe in Jesus, those who denied Him developed talmudic Judaism, which ignores the gospel of faith in both the Old and New Testaments, diverging from the faith. What is now called “Judaism” is not the remnants of Old Testament faith but is a false religion which has broken off the true faith of God’s people. The New Testament demonstrates the new covenant fulfilled in Christ. The promises of God to Israel have been fulfilled in Christ Jesus (Genesis 12, Galatians 3). Christianity is true Judaism (Old Testament Faith) fulfilled. Talmudic Judaism does not reflect the Old Testament. It is a false religion.

Despite what many claim, we don’t “lose down here.” Christ is King, and we are commanded to make disciples of all the nations (Matthew 28:18-20). His kingdom shall never cease, and it has been on the rise since the First Century. It is a ploy of our enemy to get us to think that we have no hope of victory in this season. God’s Kingdom triumphs by HIs power through the gospel. In this sermon, Pastor Daniel provides a biblical strategy for advancing the Kingdom of God from generation to generation.

This sermon, delivered by one of our elders, Adam Cawrse, focuses on Jesus’ discourse in Matthew 18 which emphasizes the importance of humbling ourselves like children to be great in the Kingdom.

Matthew 17 provides an account of Christ Jesus revealing His divine glory. John and Peter both reference the event in their own writings. This profound event gives us a deeper understanding of Christ’s deity and reminds us that He has been God for all eternity and will be God for all eternity.

It is a good thing to recognize our sin and thus our need for a Savior, but it is an unwise thing to ignore the joy that comes with being in Christ (see 1 John). Philippians 4:1-9, along with Ecclesiastes 9:7-10 and several other passages, gives us insight into the command to rejoice and feast as we delight in God’s good gifts!

This week we will be studying Matthew 16 where Jesus affirms Peter's affirmation of His deity and talks about the Rock the Church is built upon.  This passage has been hotly debated between Roman Catholics and Protestants (and Eastern Orthodox) until recently.  Historically, Roman Catholics have seen the "rock" in Matthew 16 as being a reference to Peter as the first pope.  Orthodox and Protestants see Christ as the Head of the Church and thus view Peter differently. With this in mind, you may have heard that the new Pope (Leo XIV) has recently made statements that Jesus (not Peter) is the Rock upon which the Church is built.  In the process, he rejected papal infallibility.  This Sunday, we will endeavor to exegete the passage well while addressing Church history on the issue.  

Matthew 15 shows us that Christ Makes Us Clean, Not Tradition. Pastor Daniel Samms walks us through how the traditions of the Pharisees became an encumbrance as they acted without faith. Only Christ can make us clean by faith.

We are in a culture war that is merely a manifestation of a spiritual battle. Many Christians have found themselves ill-equipped for this fight. How does one reason with a man who pretends to be a woman? How does one win an argument with those who deny that which is universally demonstrated in nature? We have forgotten that our greatest weapon is God’s Word. Living and active, it cuts to the deepest parts of a person, revealing their thoughts and intentions. This sermon is an exposition on how to use God’s Word as a weapon.

Pastor Daniel addresses the theological implications of John the Baptist's beheading as well as Jesus' feeding of the 5,000 and walking on water as we see the ongoing theme of Christ's Kingship demonstrated in His power and authority.