Sermons by Pastor Matt Erickson (Page 12)
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) –…
Jesus on Taxes, Wealth, and God’s Generous Kingdom
Jesus talks a lot about money. In two different episodes, He addresses the paying of the temple tax and the payment of taxes to Caesar. He uses both discussions as opportunities to talk about greater matters. Then He encounters a wealthy young man who wants to walk with God but his heart is ensnared by riches. Following it with the parable of the workers, Jesus speaks to the generosity of the kingdom of God. (Matthew 17:24-27; 19:16-30; 20:1-16; 22:15-22) Sermon…
Jesus on Divorce and Marriage
Jesus speaks to the reality and pain of divorce and also the nature of marriage in the eternal kingdom. (Matthew 19:1-12; 22:23-33) Sermon Outline “Haven’t you read,” Jesus replied, that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?” (Matthew 19:4-5) The First Test (Matthew 19:1-12) The hostile question from the Pharisees (19:3)…
Jesus on Sin and Forgiveness
Jesus addresses how we deal with sin and conflict in the church, pairing it with a parable on forgiveness and showing mercy to others. (Matthew 18:15-35) Sermon Outline “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.” (Matthew 18:15) Sin, Confrontation, and Community Life (Matthew 18:15-17) Sin and pointing it out A pathway for pointing sin out The goal of pointing…
The Church: A People Called by God
The church is essentially a people who are called by God. We are called out of darkness and into His marvelous light. We are called from death into life. We are called by God, given a new identity in Christ, and filled with the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 1:3-14) Sermon Outline “We, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:12) What is the Church? 3 Characteristics of the Church…
Living with Joy
Disciples of Jesus are exhorted, even commanded, in Scripture to be joyful. Why is that important? How do we do that? Sermon Outline “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4) What is Joy? A definition of joy The difference between happiness and joy Living with Joy in Prayer (Philippians 1:3-8) Cultivating joy through prayer Cultivating joy through gratitude for others Living with Joy Because of the Gospel (Philippians 1:12-18; 2:19-30) Experiencing joy in the…
His Resurrection Brings Hope
Jesus’ second and third predictions of His death also point toward the resurrection that will come through the Messiah. This brings into focus the life that comes through Jesus to a world overcome with death. (Matthew 17:22-23;20:17-19) Sermon Outline “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life.” (Matthew 17:22-23) Jesus’ Three Predictions First prediction (Matthew 16:21) – in Caesarea…
His Glory Brings Joy
At the Transfiguration we receive a glimpse of the glory of Jesus that is seen nowhere else in the Gospels before the resurrection. This brings into focus the glory that comes through Jesus to a world turned inside-out with humiliation. (Matthew 17:1-13) Sermon Outline “While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!’” (Matthew 17:5) A…
His Suffering Brings Peace
Jesus’ predicts His death the first time in an unsettling passage that makes clear redemption will come at a cost. The redemptive suffering of Jesus brings into focus how much a world needs meaning in what can often seem like meaningless suffering. (Matthew 16:21-28) Sermon Outline “From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things…and that he must be killed and on the third day raised to life.”…
‘Naming’ Jesus
Peter boldly declares who Jesus is and this becomes the pivot of Jesus’ turn toward Jerusalem. Peter’s declaration calls us to respond to Jesus. Matthew 16:13-20 Sermon Outline “When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’” (Matthew 16:13) Jesus’ First Question (Matthew 16:13-14) “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” Who Have People Said Jesus Is? John the Baptist (Matthew 14:2) Elijah (11:14) Jeremiah…
Soul Food: Feeding the 4,000
Jesus feeds a crowd of over 4,000 people with near to nothing. What does that tell us about Jesus? Matthew 15:29-39 Sermon Outline “Jesus called his disciples to him and said, ‘I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.’” (Matthew 15:32) Jesus’ Amazing Healing (Matthew 15:29-31) Great crowds with great needs Great healings…