Jesus sent His first disciples into the world to be His witnesses, to tell His story, to spread the good news of His kingdom, in order to produce more disciples who would do the same thing. In what has been called, “The Great Commission,” found in Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Making disciples is the calling and task of the Church, and it is through the proclamation of the Gospel that the Holy Spirit calls people, regenerates people, and moves them to join with others in this task. A “disciple” is a “follower,” one who seeks to become “LIKE” the one he or she is following. The entire New Testament calls people to become like JESUS, the Messiah, the Christ. Why? With all the choices of people to “follow,” whether it be religious leaders, politicians, athletes, musicians, social influencers, teachers, authors, etc., why should you and I make it our life mission to follow Jesus, and to urge others to do the same? Perhaps the best answer was given by Peter when many in the crowds who had “followed” Jesus were leaving Him because they didn’t like what He was saying. Jesus asked the disciples, “Do you want to go away as well?” But Peter answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go? YOU have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the holy One of God” (John 6:67-69). Indeed, Jesus has the words of LIFE … spiritual life … eternal life … that can be found nowhere else!! As we listen to His teaching through the Gospel of Matthew, adding in a few things from John’s Gospel along the way, listen to Jesus as He teaches those who are given ears to hear about what it means to truly “FOLLOW” Him … to be one of His disciples. It is here that you will find wisdom, strength, and purpose for every day of your life, all the while knowing that one day you will reign with Him, and whatever sacrifices you may have made to follow Jesus, whatever it may have “cost” you, it will all be worth it in the end!!
Sermon Dates and Titles
- April 7: “Who IS Jesus? And why does it matter?!” ~ Matthew 1:1-17; John 1:1-18
- April 14: “Preparing the world for the Savior!” ~ Matthew 3:1-12; John 1:19-28
- April 21: “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” ~ Matthew 3:13-17; John 1:29-34
- April 28: “Tempted in every way as we are … yet, without sin!” ~ Matthew 4:1-11
- May 5: “For God so loved the world!” ~ John 3:1-36
- May 12: “Jesus KNOWS you … and loves you anyway!” ~ John 4:1-42
- May 19: “A radically different way of looking at life!” ~ Matthew 5:1-16
- May 26: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also!” ~ Matthew 6:1-34
- June 2: “Build your house on the ROCK!” ~ Matthew 7:1-29
- June 9: “Jesus the Healer … Signs of the Kingdom!” ~ Matthew 8:1-34, 9:1-8, 18-34
- June 16: “Laborers for the kingdom … Rejoice in THIS!” ~ Matthew 10:1-42
- June 23: “What do you want from Jesus?” ~ Matthew 11:1-30
- June 30: “By the Father’s Authority!” ~ Matthew 12:1-32; John 5:1-47
- July 7: “Sowing ‘Seed’ into the Kingdom!” ~ Matthew 13:1-50
- July 14: “What are you doing with JESUS?” ~ Matthew 13:53-58; Luke 4:14-30
- July 21: “Jesus … the Bread of Life!” ~ Matthew 14:13-21; John 6:1-71
- July 28: “Upon THIS Rock, I will build my Church!” ~ Matthew 16:1-28
- August 4: “The Good Shepherd and the lost sheep!” ~ John 10:1-30; Luke 15:1-32
- August 11: “The definition of “GREATNESS’ in God’s kingdom!” ~ Matthew 20:1-16, 20-28
- August 18: “The point of no return!” ~ Matthew 20:17-19; John 11:1-57, 12:1-9
- August 25: “Signs of His coming!” ~ Matthew 24:1-51, 25:1-46
- September 1: “Laboring for the Kingdom!” ~ Matthew 28:1-20; Acts 1-11