Scandalous Jesus
Jesus was not a tame Messiah. He upended tables and turned religious expectations upside-down. When He entered Jerusalem, the center of political and religious life for the Jewish people, Jesus caused a scandal. It was a scandal filled with grace and truth for all who had ears to hear and eyes to see. This series traces Jesus’ journey from the triumphal entry into Jerusalem to His crucifixion and parallels our journey of Lent.
This is part 9 of a 10-part series on the Gospel of Matthew.
Lavish Your Love on Jesus
Palm Sunday at Eastbrook Church 2022, the conclusion of our “Scandalous Jesus” Lenten Sermon Series. (Matthew 26:1-16) Sermon Outline ‘When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” (Matthew 26:12-13) The Chief Priest and Elders of the people plotted to kill Jesus instead of lavishing their love on Him…
The Woes of the Religiously Misguided
We explore the seven woes that Jesus speaks against the religious establishment and Jerusalem itself. (Matthew 23:1-38) Sermon Outline “So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.” (Matthew 23:3) Three Critiques of Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees (23:1-6) They are inconsistent (23:3) They burden people (23:4) They are concerned with appearances and reputation (23:5-6) A Contrast for Jesus’ Disciples (23:8-12)…
Questioning Jesus
The religious leaders ask Jesus three forceful questions, based on their own religious perspective. Jesus answers their questions and responds with another question. (Matthew 22:15-46) Sermon Outline “One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: ‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’” (Matthew 22:35-36) Questions and Jesus The context of the questions: “the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words” (Matthew 22:15) Question 1: Pharisees – “should we…
Pictures of the Kingdom
Jesus tells three parables that explain who He is and what He has come to do. In response, the religious leaders begin their focused effort to arrest and eliminate Jesus. (Matthew 21:28-22:14) Sermon Outline “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you….I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.” (Matthew 21:31, 43) Introduction…
The Withering of the Old Ways
Jesus cleanses the temple and causes a fig tree to wither. Jesus’ authority is questioned by the religious leaders and he responds by stonewalling them. What does it mean that Jesus has come with authority? (Matthew 21:12-27) Sermon Outline “Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, ‘May you never bear fruit again!’ Immediately the tree withered.” (Matthew 21:19) Jesus Overturning Tables (21:12-17) Jesus…
Unlikely King
Jesus predicts his death and then enters into Jerusalem with great acclamation. (Matthew 20:17-19; 21:1-11) Sermon Outline “Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, ‘We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death.’” (Matthew 20:17-18) Jesus’ Shocking Predictions of Messianic Suffering First prediction (Matthew 16:21) –…