The Gospel of Matthew
The Mission
May 30, 2021 • Ben Sansburn
We wrap up our series in the Gospel of Matthew this morning looking at Jesus' final words to his disciples. Jesus invites them, and us, into a mission beyond ourselves that will take more than we have in us. But framing this invitation Jesus promises what we need - his power and presence along the way. Join us as we look at Matthew's final scene.
The Transforming Truth of the Resurrection
May 23, 2021 • Ben Sansburn
The resurrection of Jesus is the central reality of the universe. It’s the hinge to all of history. It is the climax of God’s story, it’s the crescendo of creation. And if we believe it's true, the resurrection changes everything.
Beholding the Beauty of the Cross
May 16, 2021 • Ryan Beardsley
For many, the crucifixion of Jesus is confusing and even disturbing. There is little about it that seems attractive. Yet, if we have eyes to see the upside-down realities of the cross - an innocent man treated like a criminal, the Son of God dying a painful death, victory coming through death - we will behold the life-changing beauty that's there.
Our Failure, Jesus' Faithfulness
May 9, 2021 • Ben Sansburn
Matthew 26 is a story about failure. Peter's failure at Jesus' most trying moment shows us something deep and powerful about the grace of God. Jesus' faithfulness in our failure can bring hope and healing to the most hidden parts of our self.
Blessed & Betrayed
May 2, 2021 • Ryan Beardsley
We are making the final turn in Matthew's gospel in Jesus' journey toward the cross. As Jesus' death looms, the response of his followers to that death is varied. Pastor Ryan looks at Matthew 26:1-29 this morning and what we do with Jesus' sacrifice on our behalf.
The Sheep & The Goats
April 25, 2021 • Ben Sansburn
Jesus is calling us, in light of a future judgment day, to live lives so impacted by the gospel, that we just spill out, everywhere we go, this self-sacrificial love for others. Join us as Pastor Ben unpacks the final section of Jesus' Olivet Discourse in Matthew 25:31-46.
The Parable of the Talents
April 11, 2021 • Ryan Beardsley
What does it look like to wait, ready for Jesus? In Matthew 25:14-30 Jesus says it looks like stewarding and multiplying the master's property. What does that mean for us? Find out at Pastor Ryan unpacks the Parable of the Talents and what it says to us about how we see God and what we do with what he's entrusted to us.
Ready Or Not, Here He Comes
March 28, 2021 • Ryan Knight
In our quick-fix, microwavable, instant-gratification digital culture, we don't know how to wait. And yet waiting exactly what Jesus calls us to. Between Jesus' resurrection and his return, he calls his followers to preparation and readiness. He calls them to wait well. Join us this morning as Pastor Ryan Knight unpacks what that looks like through Jesus' "Parable of the Ten Virgins" in Matthew 25:1-13.
The Return of Jesus
March 21, 2021 • Ryan Beardsleey
The central hope of Christians for centuries has been that Jesus will one day return and set everything right, forever. Jesus doesn't tell us when that day will be, but he does tell us how to live in light of its reality. Join us this morning as Pastor Ryan looks at Matthew 24:36-51 and Jesus' discussion of his future coming.
Following Jesus When the World is Falling Apart
March 14, 2021 • Ben Sansburn
It's easy in a chaotic world to read the latest headlines, watch the 24-hr news cycle, and see the endless crises around us and become either indifferent to them or obsessed with them. But what is Jesus calling us to when it feels like the world is falling apart? Matthew 24 is about more than a timeline of world events, it's about how follow Jesus faithfully through whatever comes. Join us as Pastor Ben unpacks this difficult and often debated passage and gets to the heart of Jesus' message through it.
The End of Hypocrisy
March 7, 2021 • Ryan Beardsley
Jesus' strong condemnation of the Pharisees in Matthew 23 is a condemnation of religious hypocrisy on every level. Jesus hates hypocrisy, particularly when it's cloaked in religious garb. And yet, Matthew 23 makes clear that Jesus' arms are wide open to hypocrites who will recognize their hypocrisy and turn to him. Join us as Pastor Ryan walks us through this powerful passage.
Questioning Jesus
February 28, 2021 • Ben Sansburn
For both the secular and the religious, it's easy to miss Jesus when we look at him from our vantage point. We underestimate the power, and glory and significance of who he is and what he's come to do. In Matthew 22:23-46, Jesus confronts two age-old questions on hope and morality and corrects our human misunderstands. He then turns the tables and asks a question of his own that flips everything upside down.
Politics, Caesar, and the Kingdom of Christ
February 21, 2021 • Ben Sansburn
In an era of increasing societal and political polarization, it's easy to slide into the intense partisanship we see around us. But Jesus models something different. Something not partisan but prophetic. A way forward that refuses to give allegiance to anything other than Jesus' kingship, but exercises a subversive rebellion through submission. Join us as Pastor Ben unpacks Jesus' well-known words in Matthew 22:21, "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
The Stone the Builders Rejected
February 7, 2021 • Ben Sansburn
Jesus comes into Jerusalem to do battle, but not with the enemies we'd expect. Jesus' conflict with Israel's religious leaders reminds us that Jesus' has come not just to conquer external enemies, but to overthrow all our man-made religious efforts and replace them with himself.