Matthew - Liferoads Church https://liferoads.org Helping people become Fully Alive in Christ Mon, 13 Apr 2026 00:20:49 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://liferoads.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/cropped-cross-100x100.jpg Matthew - Liferoads Church https://liferoads.org 32 32 Bless The Lord O My Soul – Week 1 https://liferoads.org/sermons/bless-the-lord-o-my-soul-week-1/ Mon, 13 Apr 2026 00:19:00 +0000 https://liferoads.org/?post_type=ctc_sermon&p=5180 In response to Easter last week (Jesus victory over death) we worship (⁠Matthew 28:1-10, 16-20⁠). It is important to accept that everybody worships, it is a matter of what/who you worship. Worship can be misdirected or misguided, there are plenty of examples in the old testament, and plenty of examples today. That which we worship transforms us (⁠Psalm 115:1-8⁠). Let us be transformed into the image of God (⁠2 Corinthians 3:18⁠). Sing truth into your hearts.

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]]> In response to Easter last week (Jesus victory over death) we worship (⁠Matthew 28:1-10, 16-20⁠). It is important to accept that everybody worships, it is a matter of what/who you worship. Worship can be misdirected or misguided, there are plenty of examples in the old testament, and plenty of examples today. That which we worship transforms us (⁠Psalm 115:1-8⁠). Let us be transformed into the image of God (⁠2 Corinthians 3:18⁠). Sing truth into your hearts.

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]]> When Heaven Meets Earth – Week 2 https://liferoads.org/sermons/when-heaven-meets-earth-week-2/ Mon, 02 Mar 2026 03:10:24 +0000 https://liferoads.org/?post_type=ctc_sermon&p=5143 Storms come, you can be sure of it. Literal or metaphorical, they often come without warning and without reason. Jesus has power over these storms, power over the literal storms in His creation, and power over the storms in your life. When Jesus calms the storm (⁠Matthew 8:23-27⁠), the disciples even ask, ‘What sort of man is this?’ echoing ⁠Psalm 107:24-31⁠. He is the master of creation! Though the disciples were afraid, and there is certainly a reverent fear we […]

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]]> Storms come, you can be sure of it. Literal or metaphorical, they often come without warning and without reason. Jesus has power over these storms, power over the literal storms in His creation, and power over the storms in your life. When Jesus calms the storm (⁠Matthew 8:23-27⁠), the disciples even ask, ‘What sort of man is this?’ echoing ⁠Psalm 107:24-31⁠. He is the master of creation! Though the disciples were afraid, and there is certainly a reverent fear we should have toward our creator, Jesus says, ‘Be still.’ God has stated these words to Moses, to David and to you: “Be still and know that I am God” (⁠Psalm 46:1-11⁠).

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]]> Waiting Room – Love https://liferoads.org/sermons/waiting-room-love/ Mon, 22 Dec 2025 03:21:46 +0000 https://liferoads.org/?post_type=ctc_sermon&p=5097 The prophet Jeremiah was the messenger that told Judah they were going to be in exile for generations ⁠Jeremiah 29:4-14⁠. Though this seems like defeat, it is under God’s design and under His direction. In ⁠Ezekiel 10⁠ is a description of God abandoning the temple and he goes into exile with His people. That is sacrifice, that is love. In Jeremiah’s letter of Lament he states that God’s Love never ceases (⁠Lamentations 3:22-23⁠). The Hebrew word used there is “hesed;” […]

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]]> The prophet Jeremiah was the messenger that told Judah they were going to be in exile for generations ⁠Jeremiah 29:4-14⁠. Though this seems like defeat, it is under God’s design and under His direction. In ⁠Ezekiel 10⁠ is a description of God abandoning the temple and he goes into exile with His people. That is sacrifice, that is love. In Jeremiah’s letter of Lament he states that God’s Love never ceases (⁠Lamentations 3:22-23⁠). The Hebrew word used there is “hesed;” a never ending, always patient love.

Waiting can be in God’s design and under His direction. But while we wait, we need to live out our vocation. God told Jeremiah that they should seek the welfare of the city they are in exile in. Love them and you will prosper. And while we do this we should worship. Always recognize the glory in God as we serve Him. But, beware, there are snakes ready to deceive.

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]]> Waiting Room – Peace https://liferoads.org/sermons/waiting-room-peace/ Sun, 07 Dec 2025 23:37:54 +0000 https://liferoads.org/?post_type=ctc_sermon&p=5066 If you have never been able to make it through the book of Numbers, you’re not alone. Reading it can feel like sitting in the DMV, “take a number.” Yes, the book is full of numbers and can get very repetitive, but there are also some very interesting stories in there. One of those stories (Numbers 22-24) has to do with a selfish prophet named Balaam. Though he clearly hears God (even through his donkey) and he desires the peace […]

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]]> If you have never been able to make it through the book of Numbers, you’re not alone. Reading it can feel like sitting in the DMV, “take a number.” Yes, the book is full of numbers and can get very repetitive, but there are also some very interesting stories in there. One of those stories (Numbers 22-24) has to do with a selfish prophet named Balaam. Though he clearly hears God (even through his donkey) and he desires the peace God offers His people (Numbers 23:10), Balaam chooses his own path instead of trusting the promised peace of God (Numbers 24:13-17). The words of peace that God prophesied through Balaam come to be realized in the birth of Jesus, the Messiah (Matthew 2:1-12). God makes His invitation clear. It is an invitation of cosmic peace. It is an invitation to join His family and forever be in relationship with THE Prince of Peace.

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]]> Following Jesus – Week 17 https://liferoads.org/sermons/following-jesus-week-17/ Sun, 12 Oct 2025 23:09:36 +0000 https://liferoads.org/?post_type=ctc_sermon&p=5026 The Great Commission: these words are not actually used in the Bible. But Jesus gave his disciples (and us) a task, a mission; and He gave us the authority to spread the great news of His coming – and His resurrection. This is the fundamental event of history (⁠1 Corinthians 15:17-19⁠). Central to Christianity. Jesus showed His authority in teaching. He showed His authority over disease, nature, sin and death. He calls us to participate in sharing this news. Go, […]

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]]> The Great Commission: these words are not actually used in the Bible. But Jesus gave his disciples (and us) a task, a mission; and He gave us the authority to spread the great news of His coming – and His resurrection. This is the fundamental event of history (⁠1 Corinthians 15:17-19⁠). Central to Christianity. Jesus showed His authority in teaching. He showed His authority over disease, nature, sin and death. He calls us to participate in sharing this news. Go, make disciples of all nations (⁠Matthew 28:1-20⁠). The more we live transformed lives, the more natural the mission is for us.

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]]> Following Jesus – Week 16 https://liferoads.org/sermons/following-jesus-week-16/ Sun, 05 Oct 2025 21:43:00 +0000 https://liferoads.org/?post_type=ctc_sermon&p=5024 All history points to the crucifixion and subsequent resurrection (⁠Matthew 27:27-54⁠). The cross is a scandal (⁠1 Cor 1:18⁠); it makes no sense to invent such a thing – to use a device of torture as a symbol of grace. This idea of sacrifice is alarming (especially the sacrifice of Jesus); could there be another way? Even Jesus asked this question. The night of His death, He prayed; “Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me,” but […]

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]]> All history points to the crucifixion and subsequent resurrection (⁠Matthew 27:27-54⁠). The cross is a scandal (⁠1 Cor 1:18⁠); it makes no sense to invent such a thing – to use a device of torture as a symbol of grace. This idea of sacrifice is alarming (especially the sacrifice of Jesus); could there be another way? Even Jesus asked this question. The night of His death, He prayed; “Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me,” but concluded, “Your will be done.” Justice is required for the history of sin. It is here that God’s love and justice ‘kiss’ (⁠Psalm 85:10⁠). Seven hundred years after Isaiah wrote about the suffering Messiah’s redemption of the world (⁠Isaiah 53:1-12⁠), it finally came to pass. Love overwhelming, love manifest (⁠1 John 4:9-10⁠), love in action, the act of history. Jesus’ act of love is enough to redeem the entire world (⁠John 3:16⁠).

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]]> Following Jesus – Week 15 https://liferoads.org/sermons/following-jesus-week-15/ Mon, 29 Sep 2025 02:13:40 +0000 https://liferoads.org/?post_type=ctc_sermon&p=5020 The night of Jesus’ imminent betrayal and arrest, He shared Passover with His disciples (⁠Matthew 26:17-35⁠). During this meal, Jesus aligned the historical reminder of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt with a new covenant, one of His blood and His body instead of the sacrificial Passover lamb. Some people may see this exercise as an empty ritual. But it is a deeply meaningful tradition. Communion brings the identity of God’s people from the past to the present. It ties the experience […]

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]]> The night of Jesus’ imminent betrayal and arrest, He shared Passover with His disciples (⁠Matthew 26:17-35⁠). During this meal, Jesus aligned the historical reminder of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt with a new covenant, one of His blood and His body instead of the sacrificial Passover lamb. Some people may see this exercise as an empty ritual. But it is a deeply meaningful tradition. Communion brings the identity of God’s people from the past to the present. It ties the experience of Israel’s deliverance from slavery to His promises of our redemption: forgiveness, grace and love. It is both a communal event and a very personal introspective event (⁠1 Corinthians 11:17-34⁠). There is a future component as well. Communion is a partially finished meal. We look forward to the marriage feast with Jesus (⁠Revelation 19:9⁠).

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]]> Following Jesus – Week 14 https://liferoads.org/sermons/following-jesus-week-14/ Mon, 22 Sep 2025 00:43:49 +0000 https://liferoads.org/?post_type=ctc_sermon&p=5013 Jesus’ teaching in ⁠Matthew 24:42-25:13⁠, regarding the end times, is a challenging section of scripture. It is more about how we should live in light of His promised return, not so much what the world tends to be fascinated with. It is not about apocalyptic predictions – whether through movies, media, or date-setting. Jesus calls His followers to something different: faithful, expectant waiting. Instead of fear or frenzy, Jesus calls us to readiness, trust, and daily faithfulness. Live today as […]

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]]> Jesus’ teaching in ⁠Matthew 24:42-25:13⁠, regarding the end times, is a challenging section of scripture. It is more about how we should live in light of His promised return, not so much what the world tends to be fascinated with. It is not about apocalyptic predictions – whether through movies, media, or date-setting. Jesus calls His followers to something different: faithful, expectant waiting. Instead of fear or frenzy, Jesus calls us to readiness, trust, and daily faithfulness. Live today as though He could return tomorrow, all the while plan as if the world might continue for years to come.

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]]> Following Jesus – Week 13 https://liferoads.org/sermons/following-jesus-week-13/ Mon, 15 Sep 2025 03:11:34 +0000 https://liferoads.org/?post_type=ctc_sermon&p=5010 Jesus confronted the religious leaders of Jerusalem shortly before his crucifixion. He criticized them for hypocrisy and contrasts the outward show of righteousness with inner corruption, like tombs that appear white on the outside but are full of dead bones inside (⁠Matthew 23⁠). This reflects a larger theme of rebellion against God’s ways and the rejection of the Messiah. Jesus’ words echo his earlier teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, emphasizing humility, authentic obedience, and integrity. He warns of […]

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]]> Jesus confronted the religious leaders of Jerusalem shortly before his crucifixion. He criticized them for hypocrisy and contrasts the outward show of righteousness with inner corruption, like tombs that appear white on the outside but are full of dead bones inside (⁠Matthew 23⁠). This reflects a larger theme of rebellion against God’s ways and the rejection of the Messiah.

Jesus’ words echo his earlier teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, emphasizing humility, authentic obedience, and integrity. He warns of judgment upon those who reject God’s message and misuse religious authority; such rejection leads to destructive consequences. Despite this harsh critique, the passage holds an invitation to follow Jesus by seeking his wisdom, heeding his judgments, and submitting to him fully.

There is an easy road leading to destruction and a narrow, difficult path leading to life. Embrace God’s kingdom. The call is clear: to live in the upside-down values of the Kingdom, embracing true servanthood and dependence on God. Jesus’ promise in ⁠Matthew 11:28-30⁠ of rest for the weary, inviting all to take his yoke and find renewed strength. Through prayer and reflection, lay down your burdens, choose the narrow path, and commit to following Jesus faithfully.

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]]> Following Jesus – Week 12 https://liferoads.org/sermons/following-jesus-week-12/ Sun, 07 Sep 2025 21:00:30 +0000 https://liferoads.org/?post_type=ctc_sermon&p=5006 Throughout the Gospel of Matthew a picture of the Kingdom of Heaven is being presented. (⁠⁠⁠Matthew 19:16 – 20:28⁠⁠⁠) Jesus describes an upside-down kingdom that reflects the character of its King—marked by generosity, grace, and servanthood rather than power, wealth, or status. It begins now, overlapping with this world as Jesus rules in the hearts of His followers, calling them to humility, forgiveness, and sacrificial love that mirror His own life and mission.

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]]> Throughout the Gospel of Matthew a picture of the Kingdom of Heaven is being presented. (⁠⁠⁠Matthew 19:16 – 20:28⁠⁠⁠) Jesus describes an upside-down kingdom that reflects the character of its King—marked by generosity, grace, and servanthood rather than power, wealth, or status. It begins now, overlapping with this world as Jesus rules in the hearts of His followers, calling them to humility, forgiveness, and sacrificial love that mirror His own life and mission.

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