September 22, 2024 • Jason McNutt • Matthew 28:16–20
These final verses in Matthew are intended to awaken a desire in us to make disciples for Jesus. Matthew is telling the original Jewish audience, and us, that King Jesus is Lord over all people groups. This commissioning of His ambassadors has efficacy because Jesus has all authority.
Have you submitted to the absolute authority of Jesus?
September 15, 2024 • Jason McNutt • Matthew 28:1–15
Today, religion has become a matter of personal preference, it is driven by feelings not absolute truth. This is dangerous and irresponsible. Christianity is based on the truth that Jesus was resurrected from death and now reigns over His Kingdom. Therefore, we are compelled to repent of sin and submit to His authority.
How can God love me?
September 8, 2024 • Jason McNutt • Matthew 26, Matthew 27
The climax of the Biblical story takes place at the crucifixion. The cross is the key to understanding how a sovereign, righteous and just God can forgive rebellious people without abandoning His character. King Jesus bore the consequences of our sin. In doing so our sin is forgiven without being excused.
Will you be surprised?
September 1, 2024 • Jason McNutt • Matthew 25, Matthew 24:45–51
Jesus taught that He will return one day. He does not say when. Instead, Jesus gave His followers instruction on living with enthusiastic expectation of His return. We are not idly waiting. We prepare by serving Him and His people with the resources He has entrusted to us.
Could you be sincerely wrong?
August 18, 2024 • Jason McNutt • Matthew 23
When Jesus condemned scribes and Pharisees, He was speaking to people who were highly respected religious leaders. They sincerely believed they were doing the right things. Jesus tells them they are outside His kingdom because they have an earthly focus on image, not a desire to serve God.
Why do you reject Jesus' authority?
August 11, 2024 • Jason McNutt • Matthew 22, Matthew 21:23–46
People exercise authority selfishly, so we struggle accepting it. However, disciples of Jesus are called to unconditionally place our full trust in Jesus’ authority and submit to it. We can do that because we are confident, knowing He uses His authority for the good of His people to His glory.
Who is this?
August 4, 2024 • Jason McNutt • Matthew 21:1–22
While remaining humble, with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, He s anything but modest. We now see Him publicly acknowledging the messianic title of “Son of David”. From this point forward, Matthew is showing us Jesus’ claim to Kingship over all humanity, beginning with the Jews.
Do you strive for first or last?
July 28, 2024 • Jason McNutt • Matthew 19:13–30, Matthew 20
Human measures of success, such as status and wealth, can keep us from following Jesus’ true calling. In God’s kingdom, humility, generosity and grace reign supreme. We are called to surrender and depend on God’s gift of divine mercy, given totally devoid of any merit we might think we have.
How do you view marriage and divorce?
July 21, 2024 • Jason McNutt • Matthew 19:1–12
God's created marriage, only He has the right to define it. Marriage's purpose is to reflect the relationship between Christ and His church. Therefore, divorce is at odds with God's plan. It is permitted, in some circumstances, due to hardness of heart. Yet even then, He redeems it.
Are you walking in humility?
July 14, 2024 • Jason McNutt • Matthew 18
Culturally, we are motivated to outdo each other, driven by individual pride. Not so in the kingdom of Heaven. To become a citizen of God’s Kingdom we must become His children, living with a recognition we are dependent on Him. That fosters a life of humility, love, and a wiliness to lavish forgiveness of others.
What do you behold?
July 7, 2024 • Jason McNutt • Matthew 17
To behold something or someone is more than a casual glance. It implies intense observation. Over time we will become what we behold, whether good or bad. As Jesus’ disciples our desire is to behold Him so that our character, our love and our lives becomes like His. This is sanctification.
Jesus on His Terms
June 30, 2024 • Jeff Collins • Matthew 16
Opposition to Jesus grows. The Pharisees, together with their rivals ,the Sadducees. ask for "one more sign" from Jesus to prove He is who He says He is. Rather than comply, He challenges their inclination. Once alone with His disciples, He asks "who am I?" Peter, responds "The Christ". Peter responses as he does, because God revealed that to him. We declare Jesus as Christ because the Lord is at work in our hearts today.
The Heart of the Problem is the Problem of the Heart
June 23, 2024 • Dave Edwards • Matthew 15
Isaiah warned of a people who honor God in words and deeds but worship in vain because their hearts are not in the right place. Jesus is interested in our hearts. He is teaching us that God’s word should never be nullified by human traditions and commandments.
Why do you worship God?
June 16, 2024 • Mark Cox • Matthew 13:53–58, Matthew 14
People see Jesus’ miracles, hear his teaching and are offended. However, there are two different types of responses to this offense. One group outright rejects Him. Others, like the disciples, respond in repentance and worship Him because they see in Him, Someone greater than themselves. Who do you see when you are confronted by Jesus?
Thank God for Ears
June 9, 2024 • Jim Spigelmire • Matthew 13
Jesus was a powerful storyteller. Using parables to describe the Kingdom of Heaven, He confronts us with the necessity of a heart change to be His follower. Only then do His parables show us His Kingdom as it is and as it will be. Otherwise, we only hear without understanding and see without perceiving.
