Sermons on Jesus
Following Jesus – Week 10
God reveals. The question is: what does God show us, and what should our response be? In Matthew 16:13-20. Jesus asks Peter, “Who do you say I am?” He responded, “You are the Christ.” But Peter’s expectation of what that meant was a bit inaccurate. Jesus teaches that He was to suffer and die. We need to take up our cross and die to ourselves (Matthew 16:21-28). Then, Jesus presented Himself transformed, in glory and wonder (Matthew 17:1-8). What is…
Following Jesus – Week 9
Jesus described how people receive the word of God like soil receiving a seed. Our hearts respond to Christ’s message by being — hard, shallow, crowded, or receptive. The Parable of the Sower is a well-known story found in Matthew 13:1-23 that is asking us how we hear God’s word. Do we have a tinge of resistance, or are we distracted? What does it look like to be receptive to the message of God’s kingdom? The seed sprouts in good…
Following Jesus – Week 4
In Matthew 6:1-15, Jesus makes it clear that spiritual practices are not for show. What we aim for in our spiritual lives, we receive. Don’t pray to impress or with formulaic expectations, as if God does not already know and He needs to be woken up or informed. Spiritual practices of generosity, worship and prayer are about a personal relationship with God. The Lord’s Prayer is a model or a map of prayer. Like many other books of prayer, it…
Following Jesus – Week 3
The teachings of Jesus have had vast historical influence, and the Sermon on the Mount may be the most influential. But the scripture we are covering today (Matthew 5:1-20) isn’t just nice platitudes; it is shocking. The audience was ‘astonished.’ We must be careful to not read this sermon with preconceived ideas and cast our Western understanding into it. We need to see it as Matthew wrote it, in the context of the Messiah King and His Kingdom. To understand…
Following Jesus – Week 2
The synoptic gospels present Jesus’ temptation immediately following His baptism. We can expect challenges after spiritual peaks. The wilderness motif is common in scripture. It represents a dry and discouraging time that grows and matures us. It is a time that we must be dependent on God (1 Peter 1:6-7). Today in Matthew 3:13-4:11, we look at the temptations of Christ. We must understand that temptation is not a sin. Jesus was tempted, just like we are (Hebrews 4:15). Temptation…
Following Jesus – Week 1
Isaiah chapters 40-55 are called the ‘comfort poems.’ They are a backdrop to the Gospel of Matthew. They tell of the Messiah’s return and hope of the promised Kingdom of God (Isaiah 52:1-10). Matthew is diligent to make clear that fulfillment of the entire story of the Hebrew Bible is found in Jesus. He begins the Gospel with the genealogy from the promise to Abraham (Matthew 1:1-17). Immerse ourselves in the story because we still have a part to play…
Walk Wisely – Week 7
In this conclusion to the “Walk Wisely” sermon series, we explore the timeless metaphor of life as a journey. Reflecting on Proverbs 4:10-19 and Ephesians 5:15-16, this message examines the two paths we can walk — the way of wisdom or the way of folly. It highlights the choices, challenges, and direction of our lives and emphasizes Jesus as the ultimate “Way” to life. Jesus not only rescues us but also walks with us, guiding us daily as we follow…
Practical Faith – Pt. 1
Today’s introductory message to a new summer series on the Book of James focuses on the first four verses, the background of the author (the brother of Jesus), and James’ immediate encouragement to believers to count all suffering and trials as joy … say what? How do we do that? Pastor Donnie gives specific help to do just that.
Love God with All Your Mind – Pt. 2
Is your mindset important for your spiritual life? The word “mindset” doesn’t appear in Scripture, but it does appear flipped around as the phrase “set your mind,” and is very important, according to Pastor Donnie Johnson in part 2 of his teaching series, “Love God with All Your Mind.” For example, the way that you think about God, yourself and the world affects your prayer life greatly, and other essential elements of the Christian life.
Love God with All Your Mind – Pt. 1
What is the greatest commandment? According to Jesus it is “…you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” In this introduction to his new teaching series, Pastor Donnie Johnson focuses on how to “Love God with All Your Mind” and explains why protecting one’s mind and thought life is so vital to living the Christian life.
Foretold – Part 3
Jesus made His third and final prediction of His own death and resurrection as He prepared to make His triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Knowing the horrific death that awaited Him there, He courageously entered the Holy City to accomplish what only He could on the cross.
Foretold – Part 2
Pastor Donnie Johnson took a look at the second of three predictions that Jesus made about His own death and resurrection in our Sunday series, “Foretold.”
- 1
- 2