April 6, 2025 |
Matthew 5:17-20 |
Full Transcript Available
In our text this week, Jesus transitions from His discussion of the character of Kingdom citizens (the Beatitudes), and the influence Kingdom citizens are to have in this world (salt/light), to those whom He calls great in the Kingdom of Heaven. He says that greatness in the Kingdom is connected to how we view the Bible, its commandments and how we view righteousness.
Indeed, if we are to consider Jesus our King, then we must look at the Bible through His eyes! In the gospel of Matthew 5:17-20, Jesus called those who saw the Bible through His eyes great in the Kingdom of Heaven. We can be among those whom Christ calls great in the Kingdom.
March 30, 2025 |
Matthew 5:13-16 |
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Last week, we studied the Beatitudes, the blessings of Kingdom living in Matthew 5:1-12.
Today, we’ll be looking at Mathew 5:13-16, which as Dr. Danny Akin says, “flows naturally out of the Beatitudes.” For as he says it is “taking on and exhibiting the character of the Beatitudes that makes it possible for us to be salt and light on the earth”
While the Beatitudes describe the inner character and blessed state of those who follow Jesus as King, these next verses describe how we are to live as Kingdom people outwardly in this world.
How are we to live as Kingdom people? What does Jesus have to say about this? In the gospel of Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus used the two powerful metaphors of salt and light to call His disciples to faithfully bear witness of His transforming power by living as Kingdom people.
March 23, 2025 |
Matthew 5:1-12 |
blessing, sermon on the mount
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How does King Jesus begin this sermon? He begins with a declaration of the blessings that belong to the citizens of God’s kingdom. Do you know this state of blessing that God offers to those who repent of their sins and follow Jesus as King? Or are you still seeking the temporary happiness that the world offers.
In the gospel of Matthew 5:1-12, Jesus began His Sermon on the Mount by declaring the blessings of those who live as citizens of God’s kingdom. We can experience the blessings of living as citizens of God’s kingdom.
March 9, 2025 |
Colossians 4:2-6 |
evangelism
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Do you sometimes feel a disconnect between you personal spiritual life and your public life? Do you feel like there is a version of you that goes to church and community group, and then another version of you that goes to work or school or to the grocery store? What would it look like to be more consistent, being your true self everywhere you go?
What if every day you could be more intentional about making your spiritual life and your public life one and the same? Wouldn’t that make every day more of an adventure?
In the apostle Paul’s letter to the Colossians, he told them that their ordinary, day-to-day lives could be radically used for God by living with gospel intentionality.
In 586 B.C., the armies of Babylon had destroyed the temple in Jerusalem—God’s house, the symbol of his presence with them. In 538 B.C. King Cyrus of Persia overthrew Babylon and decreed that the Jewish exiles could return to their beloved city and rebuild the temple. So they traveled to Jerusalem and began the work. But due to opposition and confused priorities, nearly 18 years had passed and the work was still at a standstill (Ezra 4:4-5). Then a voice was heard, the Lord spoke through the prophet Haggai calling God’s people to consider their priorities. They were saying it wasn’t time to rebuild God’s house, but God disagreed. God spoke through Haggai telling His people, “It’s Time to Be Strong, Do the Work, and to Be Fearless!” Although Haggai is a small book, it is filled with challenge and promise, reminding us of God’s claim on our lives and on our priorities.
March 2, 2025 |
Haggai 2:20-23 |
exposition, generosity
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Do you worry about the future? Do you ever wonder if God is really in control when the world seems chaotic? Maybe you feel uncertain about your job, your health, or your family. Maybe you’re looking at the state of our nation or the world and wondering, “Where is this all going?”
The people of Israel in Haggai’s day had similar concerns. They were a small, struggling remnant in a land that once flourished under King David and Solomon. Their temple was in ruins, their enemies were strong, and they wondered if God’s promises to them were still true. But through Haggai, God gave them assurance that they could trust Him with the future.
In Haggai 2:20-23, God spoke through the prophet Haggai to assure Zerubbabel that he could trust God with the future of Israel. We can trust God with the future.
February 23, 2025 |
Haggai 2:18-19 |
exposition, generosity
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What does it mean to be blessed? Everybody’s saying it these days! From the Walmart greeter who says, “Have a blessed day!” To the Hollywood star who wins an Oscar saying, “I feel blessed.”
In Haggai 2:18-19, God spoke through the prophet Haggai to help the Israelites understand what it meant to live under God’s blessing. We can understand what it means to live under God’s blessing.
February 16, 2025 |
Haggai 2:10-17 |
exposition, generosity
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God cautions His people to understand that worshiping God, both giving and serving, must come from a heart that is pure and devoted to Him, not just outward religious activity. God cares more about the attitude of our hearts than the amount of our giving. He cares more about our motive than our money. He desires that we worship with a right heart.
In Haggai 2:10-17, God told the prophet Haggai to help the Israelites to understand that what really matters to God is that they worship Him with a right heart.
February 9, 2025 |
Haggai 2:6-9 |
exposition, generosity
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Do you worry about success? At work? For your family? In other words, do you worry about how things are going to turn out? Sure, we can put the work in, but how do we know it will be successful in the end? Is there a more trustworthy way to live?
In Haggai 2:6-9, the Lord told the prophet Haggai to tell His people that if they would persevere in building His house, they could trust Him for the end result. We can join God in His kingdom work and trust Him for the end result.
February 2, 2025 |
Haggai 2:1-5 |
generosity
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Discouragement is one of the greatest obstacles to faithfulness in serving God. When things don’t seem to be going the way we expected, we can easily lose heart. The people in Haggai’s day faced this same struggle. They had begun rebuilding the temple, but it didn’t compare to the former glory of Solomon’s temple. Many became disheartened, and some questioned whether their efforts were even worth it.
How are you doing today? Are you facing some obstacle or difficulty that has you feeling discouraged, even feeling like giving up, or quitting? We all have feelings of discouragement from time to time. How can we find encouragement during times like this?
That’s what today’s message is about. How to be encouraged in the Lord! In Haggai 2:1-5, the people of God were encouraged to overcome their discouragement and to persevere in His work. We can be encouraged to persevere in God’s work.
January 26, 2025 |
Haggai 1:12-15 |
generosity
Full Transcript Available
Have you heard God’s call on your life? For some, it’s a call to come to faith in Jesus. You’ve never responded to the call of salvation. You’re still trying to live life according to your own priorities and purpose.
For others, you’ve answered God’s call to come to Jesus. You’ve trusted Him as your Lord and Savior. But lately, you’ve been feeling stuck spiritually, you’ve lost the joy, the fire that you once experienced in Christ. Could it be that Jesus has called you to more? Could it be that you’ve gotten your priorities out of order and forgotten your true purpose?
Jesus hasn’t left you nor forsaken you, but He can’t fully bless you and lead you until respond in faithful obedience to His call. That’s where the people of God in Haggai were. They had been stuck, but now they’re ready to move on with God again! In the book of Haggai 1:12-15, the people of God faithfully responded to God’s call to rebuild His house. We can faithfully respond to God’s call.
