This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 20:1-16. Jesus uses a parable comparing the kingdom of heaven to a vineyard. This parable is bracketed by the statements, "the first will be last, and the last first" and "the last will be first, and the first last." The parable illustrates God's basis of grace in granting eternal life. We don't enter the kingdom through merit or anything of our own doing. There is no first place, second place, or third place entering God's kingdom, it is a dead heat. This can be difficult for us as we tend to see life through a lens of fairness that is based on earthly standards. When we put down the goggles of fairness and pick up the glasses of gospel grace, we will see the world and our lives the way that the Lord has intended us to view life.

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 19:1-30. In Matthew 19 we see a question about divorce, his disciples rebuking children, Jesus being approached by a rich young ruler, and a question of salvation. Jesus teaches that in our natural condition we are hard-hearted, not good, and against the very things God is for. Jesus show us that the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who humble themselves, depend upon the grace and goodness of God, and leave everything to follow Jesus. With man, through human efforts, it is impossible to be made right with God, to enjoy His presence, and enter his kingdom, but with God all things are possible.

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 18:1-35. Jesus instructs his disciples about entering and living in the kingdom of heaven. Life in the community of Christ is about humility and love. Life in the new community of Jesus begins with turning and becoming like children. Life in the community of Christ is marked by love. It's a love that:

1) Cares about not causing harm

2) Seeks for those who stray

3) Confronts

4) Forgives

The closing parable of Jesus in Matthew 18 cultivates the humility and love that's valued in the kingdom. In the gospel, Jesus became the least so that all who turn and humble themselves become children of God. In the gospel, Jesus left the 99 for you. In the gospel, God forgives our debt by punishing Jesus in the place of sinners. When we are gripped by the gospel of grace we are humbled and empowered by God's love to love others. We can forgive others because we have experienced the deep mercy of God. Would God give us grace to turn and become like children. Would His church live together receiving and reflecting the love of Jesus.

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 17:1-27. In Matthew 17 we find the story of the transfiguration, Jesus healing a boy with a demon, the second foretelling of his death and resurrection, and paying the temple tax. As we reflect on how these stories tie together we see that Jesus is the beloved Son of God who has come in the glory of his Father to fulfill the law and the prophets. Through his death and resurrection, Jesus calls the faithless to be beloved children of God who have been set free. We see a theme of fulfillment and call to faith. True faith is expressed in listening to Jesus and living in the freedom of being a child of God.

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 16:13-28. Our text could be grouped into three sections around these three headers. We'll see the identity of Jesus in verses 13-20. Secondly, we'll see the mission of Jesus in verses 21-23. Thirdly, we'll see the call of Jesus in verses 24-28. We'll explore who is Jesus, what must he do, and what does he call his followers to do? Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God who must suffer and die. He calls his disciples to follow him on the path of self-denial and losing your life. Following Jesus involves embracing, taking up your cross, and following Jesus to death. In so doing, we find life and salvation.

Jesus lost his life to save us. He took up his cross and denied himself so that we might find life. Jesus took the ultimate loss so that we could gain eternal life and communion with God. When we see Jesus doing this for us and experience the grace of God in the gospel, we'll have the courage to count the cost and see the joy that's before us as we lose our lives for his sake.

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 16:1-12. The Pharisees and Sadducees approached Jesus to test him and demanded him to show them a sign from heaven. After Jesus responds to their request, he tells his disciples, "Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees" (Matthew 16:6). In our text this morning we explore:

1) What is the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees?

2) What is Jesus' response?

3) How do we live in light of what Jesus says and does?

Would God give us grace to watch out and be on guard against the leaven and corrupting teaching of the Scribes and Pharisees. We pray God would help us see our pride and self-righteousness that we would come to more deeply depend upon the grace of God and reflect the gentle and humble heart of Jesus.

This morning we continue in our study of the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 15:21-39. Jesus heals a Canaanite woman's daughter by merely a word. Then we see Jesus healing any and all kinds of disabilities in a gentile region. The story culminates in the feeding of 4,000 people in the same region. In today's passage we see the Light of the World dawning on the nations. These miracles are some of the earliest signs of salvation not only coming to the people of Israel, but to people outside of Israel as well. Join us as we seek to make much of Jesus by drawing our attention to the fullness of Christ.

This morning we continue our study through the Gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 15:1–20. In verses 1–9, Jesus reveals the problem of human traditions—how we can elevate man-made rules above the commandments of God. He shows the danger of external religion: activity that appears to honor God, while in reality, the heart is far from Him. He exposes how our traditions and outward practices can become a façade, masking the true condition of our hearts and the spiritual deadness within. In verses 10–20, Jesus teaches about the source of defilement and the need for heart renewal.

Jesus didn’t just diagnose our problem and expose the true condition of our hearts—He came to heal, cleanse, and make us new. On the cross, Jesus became defiled so that we could be made clean. In Jesus, we are cleansed by the grace of God. We show our appreciation for Jesus and His sacrifice by caring about the condition of our hearts. Empowered by God’s grace, we seek to keep our hearts close to Him and not worship in vain.

This week we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 14:13-36. In the text we see Jesus miraculously provide food, walk on water, and heal all those who are sick. A key moment in the story is when the disciples confess that Jesus is not simply a teacher, or miracle-worker, he's the Son of God. Matthew writes, "And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, 'Truly you are the Son of God'" (Matthew 14:33). Jesus is the compassionate Son of God who provides for his people, is present with them through the storms, and is worthy of our worship.

These stories point forward to a greater provision, greater power over creation, greater rescue, and greater healing. The storms in our lives often reveal our inadequacy, lack of faith, and our illusion of control. Jesus calls his disciples to trust in him who is all-powerful, compassionate, and gracious. In the gospel, Jesus goes to the cross and gives up his life. Jesus is the Bread of Life who was broken on the cross and satisfies the hunger of the soul. Jesus brings the greater calm and peace as he takes the righteous anger of God towards sin and evil upon himself. Jesus was torn that we might be healed. These stories point to the gospel and invite us to confess along with the disciples, "Truly, Jesus is the Son of God."

This morning we continue in our study through the gospel according to Matthew as we consider Matthew 14:1-12. We see Herod the Tetrach's response as he hears about the fame of Jesus. His only explanation is a risen John the Baptist from the grave. We are then led through a flashback and witness the sordid and disturbing details that led to the beheading of John. We see in Herod a leader who was afraid of John, his wife, the people, and his guests. Herod is a man who is controlled by what others might think of him. A bad ruler fears the people instead of God. A good ruler fears God instead of the people. We look back at the parables in chapter thirteen and how they related to understanding this passage. We close by seeing that this was in essence a rejection of Jesus and his message. This rejection was necessary to fulfill God's plan of salvation. Following Jesus is free and costs you everything you have. It is entirely worth it. Would God give us grace to lose our life for Jesus' sake and in so doing, find life everlasting.