We all hate hypocrisy. So does Jesus! But the hypocrisy against which Jesus speaks in these passages is of the ruling elite. He knows the human heart and sees straight through all their attempts to establish human self-righteousness. This chapter is designed by Matthew to enable us to understand why Jesus' kingdom is populated the way it is; why the most unlikely Canaanite woman is in and the ruling elite from Jerusalem are exposed and out.

What is a human being? Are we just clever animals or are we made for more than that? Nearly all human beings throughout history have longed for significance and meaning. This passage says that we are made in God’s likeness and given his work to do as his deputies. That truth is the foundation for all genuine equality between human beings and challenges us to live out our divine calling.

We tend to think that we are able to turn to Jesus and be his disciple as it suits us. We will come to him as when we choose, as we want and we will join his church at the moment that we decide. The familiar miracles of Jesus feeding the 5000 and walking on water are entirely historically credible. They mean far more than we might imagine on first reading—and are used by Matthew to show us that men and women can only be part of his church as he enables them to be.

We tend to think that we are able to turn to Jesus and be his disciple as it suits us. We will come to him as when we choose, as we want and we will join his church at the moment that we decide. The familiar miracles of Jesus feeding the 5000 and walking on water are entirely historically credible. They mean far more than we might imagine on first reading—and are used by Matthew to show us that men and women can only be part of his church as he enables them to be.

What if our world had misunderstood God profoundly? Even as formal religious belief is declining in the West, so spiritual practice is diversifying. But this passage says it is not the same to follow a series of small gods. The one who made the universe is far greater than we have fooled ourselves into believing. Without a God who is powerful, we have no hope in the face of the problems in our world.

Such is the hatred of humanity towards our creator that we would rather murder him than listen to him. Jesus exposes humanity for what we are. The people of his day were prepared to engage in staggering steps of flawed logic in order to avoid the implications of his works and wisdom. Ultimately they sought to do away with him. Grasping this truth enables us to be clear headed about the world, self aware and amazed at the grace and power of the Lord Jesus.

Such is the hatred of humanity towards our creator that we would rather murder him than listen to him. Jesus exposes humanity for what we are. The people of his day were prepared to engage in staggering steps of flawed logic in order to avoid the implications of his works and wisdom. Ultimately they sought to do away with him. Grasping this truth enables us to be clear headed about the world, self aware and amazed at the grace and power of the Lord Jesus.

In this single talk, Kendall gives an overview of the doctrine of hell.

The pursuit of freedom ends in destruction and willing submission leads to delight. This psalm challenges the world’s assumptions and shows us the better way.

The pursuit of freedom ends in destruction and willing submission leads to delight. This psalm challenges the world’s assumptions and shows us the better way.