This week, Greg teaches from Matthew 3:1-6. In these verses, Matthew introduces us to John the Baptist, a man born to be in tune with the Holy spirit. Greg uses verses from Luke 1, 2 Kings 1:8, and Malachi 4:5-6 to show us how John the Baptist was the True and Better Aaron, Elijah, and Abraham. John the Baptist pointed the Jews to the Gospel. He called them to repentance and confession, the same things that Jesus continued to call them to. If the Gospel being taught today does not call us to "Repent. The Kingdom of God is at hand," it is not the Gospel. The true Gospel is greater than our failures and our darkest moments. John the Baptist was the Forerunner for Christ, but also for us - for those who fail and fall, but are forgiven by His grace.
The Forerunner
July 11, 2021 • Greg Pinkner • Luke 1, Matthew 3:1–6
The Kingdom is Near
August 29, 2021 • Matthew 4:17–25
This week, Greg teaches from Matthew 4:17-25. In these verses, Matthew continues to emphasize his main thesis: "Repent. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand". Through Christ calling the disciples, we are shown what it means to be a follower of Christ. We are to repent, have a change of heart, and do something unimaginable. Matthew also shows us the things we are to be doing as churches and believers: discipleship, teaching, and serving. Christianity is not about Christ making our lives easier. It is about our lives being redefined by the Gospel of the Kingdom and following Christ no matter the consequences.
Dawn for the Dead
August 22, 2021 • Isaiah 9, Matthew 4:12–17, Isaiah 8, John 1:4–5
This week, RD teaches from Matthew 4:12-17 and opened with the question "Who is weary?" He Looks back at Isaiah chapters 8 and 9 to remind us of the despair that the Israelites were in when the promise of Christ coming was made. It is in the places of darkness where Jesus begins His work - He meets people on their worst day. As John 1:5 says, "the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." The way to have access to this light is to repent and realine our lives to the Kingdom that is coming.
The Temptation of Jesus
August 15, 2021 • Matthew 4:1–11
This week, Greg teaches from Matthew 4:1-11. These verses tell us about the temptation of Jesus by the devil and what this battle between them tells us about who our God and Savior is. The devil was very cunning in the temptations that he chose and used them because Christ was both God and man. He wanted to put Jesus' flesh and spirit at war with each other. Satan tempts us the same way. He wants us to believe that what God has promised us isn't true and that the easier and faster way is better than holiness. Christ shows us that we learn obedience to God through our suffering and that the goodness of God is worth the suffering.