Sermons from 2025
Following Jesus – Week 15
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…
Following Jesus – Week 14
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…
Following Jesus – Week 13
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…
Following Jesus – Week 12
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.
Following Jesus – Week 11
Jesus holds up humility as an essential character of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:1-4). Note the humility of a child: sincere, sensitive, and simple. The humblest child has the ability to influence many souls. Forgiveness is a characteristic of the kingdom as well (Matthew 18:21-35). You can’t even count the importance and value of forgiveness. God’s forgiveness is extreme; forgiveness is divine.
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 8
When John the Baptist was in prison, he sent some of his disciples to ask Jesus if he truly was the Messiah (Matt 11:1-11). Jesus honored John — then He pointed to the signs that were prophesied in Isaiah. Jesus has grace for those who wrestle with doubt. He knows that there will be a day where faith becomes sight, hope is fulfilled, and love is eternal (1 Cor 13:12-13). Then, there will be no doubt. But, while we are…
Following Jesus – Week 7
Jesus called His disciples and sent them into a world full of need. Matthew 10:1–20 reminds us that ministry is not just for a few; it’s for all of us. Wherever we are at—work, home, or in our neighborhoods—we are in ministry. We walk through Jesus’ instructions for the mission: for who (the lost sheep of Israel), the method (preaching and healing), and the mindset (traveling light, trusting God’s provision). Jesus also sets realistic expectations: this work involves real opposition.…
Following Jesus – Week 6
What comes to your mind when you think of authority? Today, in our reading from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 9, we are introduced to a level of authority that only God possesses. Jesus is clear: He has the authority to forgive sin. But He also has the authority to heal and to transform your identity to be a child of God. Allow Jesus to be your good shepherd; He has the authority to do that too. He calls you,…
Following Jesus – Week 5
This message challenges us to honestly evaluate the substance of our faith: Are we Jesus flavored or Jesus filled? Drawing from Matthew 7, we look at three essential tests Jesus gives: the Fruit Test, the Obedience Test, and the Foundation Test. Popularity, appearances, and good intentions aren’t enough — what matters is a life rooted in knowing Jesus, doing God’s will, and building on the unshakable foundation of His Word. In a world filled with spiritual shortcuts and diluted faith,…
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…