With the chaos of rejection, rampant immorality, and sin all around Him, Jesus continues to emerge as the truer and greater Prophet who doesn't shy away from chaos, but rather steps into it. It's in the chaos that Jesus prophetically proclaims the word of grace and truth. It's the same word of Christ we received in the chaos of our sin. This prophetic word transforms how we live in life's chaos as well.

The beauty of the Parable of the Net is that it helps us make sense of our lives in God’s bigger story. When we see how we are part of God’s much bigger story, it has a profound effect on our lives as citizens of God’s Kingdom.

These two parables make it clear that we should live lives that are sold out for the Kingdom of God. This sermon looks at how we can joyfully and willingly give up our lives for the Kingdom.

The announcement that the Kingdom of God is here announces a new citizenship for God’s people. Through these parables, Jesus is pressing into us our new citizeship which changes how we see our county and its politics. These parables are meant to invigorate our hope for the Kingdom, and to help us live in today’s turbulent political climate.

We all face difficult times in life. We all face trials of various kinds. While we all hope to minimize difficult times, we all know we can't completely get rid of pain and suffering. However, Kingdom Hope is something different. Kingdom Hope anticipates the day when pain and suffering are completely removed from our lives. This is why it's important to Rehearse our Kingdom Hope, to be aware of a Reason we struggle with hope, and to understand our Response to Kingdom Hope in our daily lives.

Have you ever doubted your salvation? Have you ever felt fruitless in your walk with Christ? Have you ever doubted God because of difficult passages in the Bible? And have you wondered how God’s kingdom is advancing in the midst of all the chaos that surrounds us in this world.
These are common questions that even the most seasoned believer may have from time to time. It is during these times where it is important to remember that God is always for our good and for His glory, both in us and in the world.

How do you know you’re in the Kingdom of God? Is it because you grew up in the United States, or because you’re from a Christian family? Or is it because you live a pretty clean life and things work out for you? How can we know? In a world that is more divided, and more hostile to Christianity, it’s important to know the signs that assure us we are in the Kingdom of God.

There’s a great difference between what we read in vv. 18 - 21 and what we see in the world today. Matthew uses Isaiah’s prophecy to tell us that Jesus is the humble, servant-leader who will bring victorious justice to the world. However, when we look at today’s world, we see poor leadership and injusticeS and strife ruling the day. What vv. 18 - 21 describe seem so far off, and out of touch. This sermon looks at how we can live the Kingdom life everyday where our lives are part of the movement that is bringing about a day when the whole world puts their hope in Jesus.

We all know we need rest, but do we know that rest is a kingdom activity. Rest is more than vacations and beauty sleep. Rest is a kingdom activity that makes us better kingdom people.