Sunday Sermons

We have now reached a point in the book of Matthew where we see Jesus as an adult for the first time. But chapter 3 doesn’t begin with Jesus immediately. We are first made privy to the ministry of John the Baptist, who is the one sent before Christ to prepare the way. Between John’s work, the appearance of religious leaders to the scene, and the actual baptism of Jesus, Matthew 3 is a passage that is full of examples that give us a greater understanding of our Lord and the work he was sent to do.

This week, we look at a darker element of the Christmas story that significantly contrasts with the joyous elements of the holiday that we are familiar with. It's the story of Herod’s plot to kill the child and God’s divine intervention in guiding Joseph to Egypt and eventually Nazareth. This is more than an isolated event, Matthew cites Old Testament scripture to show us that something larger and of ancient days is at work in God’s plan.

This week we cover a passage that almost everyone has a passing familiarity with, “The Visit of the Magi”. What is truly notable about this story though, is the contrast in reactions to the newborn king. While it is certainly good news for the wise men, it is something altogether different for Herod. This pushes us to consider our own response to Jesus.

After walking through Jesus’ genealogy last week, we now dive into the narrative of his life that Matthew has laid out. Matthew begins with a telling of the events surrounding the Lord’s conception and virgin birth. While the focus is on Mary elsewhere in the gospels (Luke), Matthew zeroes in on Joseph. It is through Joseph’s handling of the situation he faces that we see God furthering the plan to bring his people the Savior King.

We now begin a year-long series in the Gospel of Matthew together. And from beginning to the end, the author is going to work to convince us of the identity of Jesus and the nature of his work. In these first seventeen verses, Matthew begins with the genealogy of Jesus. And while it would be easy for us to skim it or skip over it completely to get to the story, it is there for us to further understand who our Lord is.

Last week, Pastor Mike talked about our thinking rightly concerning political power in light of the true power of the gospel. But another danger that lays its trap for the church is making politics the primary shaper of our identity. The folly in doing this is in the fact that political affiliation is an insufficient substitute for the glorious identity we have in the gospel of Christ.

In this brief, two week series, we have the opportunity to consider the gospel and what it means in our approach to politics and social issues. With a political climate as polarized and often vitriolic as our own, it is necessary for us to consider these things as God’s people. If we are to be set apart from this world, then we must also be set apart in our convictions about worldly power.

In this short passage from chapter twelve, we now hear from the narrator who concludes the book. It contains some words about the Preacher as well as some summarizing thoughts about wisdom. But most notably, we are given a command at the end which serves as a unifying statement in regards to what our life is to be about: “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.”

In this penultimate sermon from our Ecclesiastes series we see the Preacher give instructions to remember and rejoice in this life. While this passage certainly applies to all who read it, he has something to say to young people in regards to how to approach the days of youth. The harsh reality is that we will all fade and die. Therefore, how we think about and spend our days matters.

The beginning of chapter 11 addresses the unexpected nature of life and how we ought to respond to it. While we are always drawn to feeling as if we are in control, the uncertainty of what will be is proof of otherwise. But that still shouldn’t prevent us from living faithfully today.