The Gospel of Matthew: The Kingdom Ethic
We all long for a better world. We want all that is broken around us to be fixed and restored. But what if this brokenness in our world, and even in our hearts, is merely a symptom of something deeper? This longing can only be satisfied when we are restored back to God. Jesus came to the earth to bring this restoration, to usher in a new kingdom. In his teaching and miracles he pointed towards this new way, and in his death he made it possible for us to be made citizens of it. In the kingdom of God we find the life and satisfaction we all long for, and it's ours because of Jesus.
Have you ever been let down by something you had put so much hope into? In Matthew 1, the gospel writer helps us see with right anticipation who Jesus is and how he will never put our hope to shame.
Scripture: Matthew 1
Whether we act, or don't act, resit or fall, we all are motivated by something. Looking at Jesus' temptation in Matthew 4, Tyler Velin shows how Jesus' motivation and actions are essential to our own choices in life.
Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11
In Matthew 6, we see the promise of great rewards and the hearts which seek to rob us of them. The reward Jesus holds out for the righteous is the reward of God himself.
Scripture: Matthew 6:1-18
In Matthew 10:16-42, we see the expectation of discipleship is the world at war with those worthy of Christ.
Scripture: Matthew 10:16-42
Far more than a Vacation Bible School story, the "Parable of the Sower" reveals the heart of the Kingdom of God and steers us to the King who heals barren soils.
Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23
Many religions promise to provide you with treasure if you meet their standards, but it is only the God of the Bible who promises to be your treasure.
Scripture: Matthew 13:44-52
In Matthew 13:53-14:12, we see that Jesus is what you treasure, or he is a threat to what you treasure.
Scripture: Matthew 13:53-14:12
The feeding of the 5,000 and Jesus walking on water are staple stories of Jesus ministry. Pastor Tyler explains why Jesus does them and what they teach us about him.
Scripture: Matthew 14:13-36
In Matthew 15, we see three scenes that help us understand our own heart. In this passage, Jesus provides a counter-cultural message which diagnoses and directs our heart today.
Scripture: Matthew 15:1-28
Jesus entered into the mess of helpless people and did his Messiah work. Jesus will go to places where your self-righteousness, and cultural spiritualism will not.
Scripture: Matthew 15:26-16:12
Following Jesus will be the greatest cost you ever incur, because it is the greatest value you will ever possess. Following Jesus will cost you because the cross is so costly.
Scripture: Matthew 16:13-28
Christians need a vision of Christ's kingdom that opposes the kingdom of this world. In Matthew 17, Jesus shows us the glory of his kingdom that comes through suffering and calls us to exercise faith in God's Word that brings about his will - no matter the opposition.
Scripture: Matthew 17:1-20
Because Jesus laid down his rights to save us, we are able to lay down our rights to serve others.
Scripture: Matthew 17:22-27
What does it take to be great in the Kingdom of Heaven? Jesus shows us with three postures of great disciples.
Scripture: Matthew 18:1-14
Matthew 18:15-35 reveals the often hard work of discipleship God has given his church and provides a model for the heart behind it.
Scripture: Matthew 18:15-35
In Matthew 19:1-15, Jesus continues to stress the distinct values of those who are members of his kingdom, specifically in marriage.
Scripture: Matthew 19:1-15
Jesus answers the equation of eternal life with a discussion on divine grace.
Scripture: Matthew 19:16-20:16
On the road to Jerusalem, Jesus provides three glimpses into the Kingdom shaped by the cross.
Scripture: Matthew 20:17-34
In Matthew 21:1-17 we read Matthew's account of the "Triumphal Entrance." In this passage we see three ways in which our whole world is anticipating this Savior-King.
Scripture: Matthew 21:1-17
We see the relationship between Jesus as the authority and us, as those who are under an obligation to respond either through faith or in judgment.
Scripture: Matthew 21:18-46
Jesus helps us understand the value of his gospel invitation and the posture of those who respond.
Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14
In Matthew 22:15-46 the religious officials submit Jesus to three tests, but ultimately it is Jesus who tests the hearts and understandings of men.
Scripture: Matthew 22:14-46
Jesus ends his public ministry by addressing the crowds, his disciples and the religious leaders, speaking to the heart of each group.
Scripture: Matthew 23:1-39
What does the future hold? And what does it matter for our lives and ministries? Jesus frames the disciples' expectations and hope for what is to come in Matthew 24:1-35.
Scripture: Matthew 24:1-35
Be awake. Be ready. Be watchful. In Matthew 24:36-25:13, Jesus prepares our hearts for his second coming by calling us to actively wait for his return.
Scripture: Matthew 24:36-25:13
In Matthew 25:14-46, we see two pictures of the final judgment and Jesus provides instructions and hope for all who will one day stand before him.
Scripture: Matthew 25:14-46
Matthew 26:1-16 is a unique pause in the pace of Jesus' life. But in this stillness God is anything but silent.
Scripture: Matthew 26:1-16
In Matthew 26, Jesus reestablishes not only a new feast for his people, but a new center of time which has shaped the culture of Christianity for all time.
Scripture: Matthew 26:17-35
In Matthew 26:36-46, Jesus' humanity is on full display. But it is in the sorrowful savior we find rich hope.
Scripture: Matthew 26:36-46
In Matthew 26:57-27:10 we see the false conviction of Jesus applied by an external court, but we also see three stories of internal conviction which need to be reconciled with the gospel.
Scripture: Matthew 26:57-27:10
In Matthew 27:11-44 Matthew describes for us the somber story or Jesus' crucifixion and yet it is in this brokenness that we see the King in his glory.
Scripture: Matthew 27:11-44
In Matthew's account of the crucifixion we find three paradoxes which shape our understanding of the gospel and the Christian life.
Scripture: Matthew 27:45-61
In Matthew 27:62-28:10 we see two world views displayed in the two encounters with Jesus' tomb.
Scripture: Matthew 27:62-28:10
In the closing verses of Matthew, we see the two commissions and dueling promises we face in a post-resurrection world.
Scripture: Matthew 28:11-20