Christ Presbyterian Church | Bible books Matthew

Converts

Bible Text: Matthew 28:16-20 | Preacher: Nick Whitaker | Series: Best Use of Our Time

Because Jesus has all authority, we go out into the world to accomplish His will, knowing He will always be with us.

Matthew 28:16-20
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in 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.”

Salt & Light

Bible Text: Matthew 5:13–16 | Preacher: Anthony English | Series: Guest Preacher

Because of what Jesus has done for us, we are salt & light & are called to live in light of that reality.

Matthew 5:13–16
13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

The Merciful King

Bible Text: Matthew 18:21-35 | Preacher: Johnathan Keenan | Series: The Kingdom of God

Matthew 18:21-35

Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

The King of the Kingdom

Bible Text: Matthew 2:1-12; 27:37-44; 28:18 | Preacher: Johnathan Keenan | Series: The Kingdom of God

We all are living in some kind of kingdom but there is only One True King

Matthew 2:1-12; 27:37-44; 28:18

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for from you shall come a ruler

who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

From Chapter 27 which describes Jesus’ crucifixion…

37 And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” 38 Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. 39 And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads 40 and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41 So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying, 42 “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way.

And now from chapter 28 after Jesus’ resurrection…

18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

The Gospel of the Kingdom

Bible Text: Matthew 4:23-25; 9:35; 24:14 | Preacher: Johnathan Keenan | Series: The Kingdom of God

Jesus is the only ruler in your life that brings healing, love and forgiveness based on his grace

4:23 And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. 24 So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and ipains, those oppressed by demons, those having seizures, and paralytics, and he healed them. 25 And great crowds followed him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.

9:35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.

24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Epiphany

Bible Text: Matthew 2:1–12 | Preacher: Reed Jolley | Series: Christmas in Matthew

Because true freedom comes from serving a gracious king, we must worship Jesus.

Provision

Bible Text: Matthew 1:18-25 | Preacher: Kyle Wells | Series: Christmas in Matthew

The church father Saint Augustine famously prayed: “God command what you will, but grant what you command.” Sometimes it feels as though God’s demands are impossible. Sometimes he calls people to extraordinary service. I think this is no where more evident than in the Christmas story. But even there, we so how God provides for us in precisely the places where he calls us to go. Do you feel like God is calling you to something beyond your capacities right now? Come this week and hear about and learn to rest in his provision.

God’s Lineage

Bible Text: Matthew 1:1–17 | Preacher: Kyle Wells | Series: Christmas in Matthew

The gifts have been opened, the egg nog has been drunk, the cookies have been eaten, and the families have been visited—or at least Zoomed. But in the midst of all the festivities, did you catch the beauty and mystery of Christmas? Did you consider who that baby in the manger would be and what he would do? God’s power in the world often comes in surprising and hidden ways, but it always comes to flawed and broken people. Join us this Sunday as we worship the King who came to be with his people.

Co-Laborers: What’s an Apostle got to do with it?

Bible Text: Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 1:15–17, 20, 24–26; 2 Timothy 1:8, 11-14, 2:1-2 | Preacher: Kyle Wells | Series: Co-Laborers in Christ

I’m spiritual but not religious is a common self-identifier. Today, many people embrace supernaturalism while rejecting traditional forms of religious expression. The Christian version looks like this: I’m a follower of Jesus, but I don’t go to church, or, at least I don’t see reason to identify with any church in particular. And it is true that the institutional church has fallen on hard times and much is self inflicted. Some even wonder if it was a mistake in the first place. One person famously said: “Jesus came proclaiming the Kingdom, and what arrived was the Church.” But what if the institutional church, along with its officers, was a part of Jesus’ original intention? Might that have implications for our spirituality. And might it also have implications for how we think about men and women working together in Christ’s kingdom?

Co-Laborers and the Ministry of Jesus

Bible Text: Luke 6:12–16; 8:1–3; Matthew 28:16–20 | Preacher: Kyle Wells | Series: Co-Laborers in Christ

Any author will tell you that the cast of characters is central to every great story. In the true stories of the New Testament, we find a large cast of characters throughout. This character list includes both men and women who support the ministry of Jesus and the work of his Church. Mary and Martha, though they aren’t apostles, play as vital of a role in the gospels as James and John. What can we learn from the New Testament about the work of men and women together in God’s mission to the world?