Sermons on Kingdom of God (Page 4)
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…
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 Greatness
What is greatness really all about? Jesus flips it upside-down with three separate teachings about personal greatness, welcome of the least of these, and His pathway to greatness. (Matthew 18:1-14; 19:13-15; 20:20-28) Sermon Outline “… whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for…
His Healing by Faith
Jesus’ turn toward Jerusalem is framed by two stories of healing. This brings into focus the healing that comes through Jesus to a world turned upside-down with pain. (Matthew 17:14-20; 20:29-34) Sermon Outline “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1) The Faith Problem (Matthew 17:14-20) The father and son: I want to believe The disciples: I thought I believed The teachers of the law: I won’t believe The…
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…
Jesus and the Canaanite Woman
Jesus heals an outsider, a Canaanite woman, and it shows us some very interesting things about the nature of Jesus’ mission. Matthew 15:21-28 Sermon Outline Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment. (Matthew 15:28) The Request A Canaanite woman asks Jesus to heal her daughter. Jesus is off duty, needing rest. Woman is a representative of Israel’s enemy; she is “other.” The Delay Jesus is…
The Treasure, the Pearl, and the Net
Jesus describes the kingdom in terms of three different items, all of which are strongly sought after for good reason. Matthew 13:44-50 SERMON OUTLINE The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” (Matthew 13:44) The Parable of the Treasure and the Pearl (Matthew 13:44-46) The kingdom of God is more valuable than anything…
The Wheat and the Weeds
Jesus tells a parable about weeds in a wheat field, then explains it later to His disciples. Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 SERMON OUTLINE “Jesus told them another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat.’” (Matthew 13:24-25) Elements of the Parable (Matthew 13:37-39) The Present: Wheat and Weeds Together in the Field (Matthew 13:28-30a) The reality of good and…
Real Perspective
We’re often told not to be judgmental but how do we approach others and ourselves with appropriate perspective and right judgment? Matthew 7:1-6 Sermon Outline “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”(Matthew 7:1-2) Don’t Judge (7:1-2) What does it mean to “judge”? Don’t condemn The principle of reciprocity How this relates to our view…
Real Righteousness
Hearing Jesus’ words about real righteousness for the disciple-life and what it means that He came to fulfill, but not abolish, the law. Matthew 5:17-48 Sermon Outline “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” (Matthew 5:17) Jesus’ Arrival and the Time of Fulfillment (5:17-19) Jesus and fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets The continuing value of the Law and the Prophets…
Real Life
Exploring the beatitudes as being blessed with the good life with God accessible in Jesus Christ. Matthew 5:1-11 Sermon Outline “Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.” (Matthew 5:1-2) Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount Matthew’s Gospel organized around 5 discourses 1. Matthew 5-7 2. Matthew 10 3. Matthew 13 4. Matthew 18 5. Matthew 24-25 The disciples as the…