People today think taking a firm stand on issues of right and wrong is Pharisaical. Nothing could be farther from the truth! Jesus actually rebuked the Pharisees for ignoring God’s Law not for upholding it. Jesus corrected the Pharisees for teaching their almost universally held tradition as if it was God’s Law, when they ignored […]
Matthew 15:1-6 According to What Standard?
The Pharisees were committed to destroying Jesus. Why? Because He rejected the flawed ‘tradition of the elders’ and called them out for their hypocrisy. Some high ranking Pharisees and Scribes heard that Jesus disregarded their tradition, and came from Jerusalem to investigate the matter. Jesus was not intimidated. Listen as Pastor Matt shows how Jesus […]
Matthew 13:24-30 The Wheat & the Tares Part 1 The Parable
The Kingdom of heaven is an already but not yet reality. Jesus is reigning, but He is reigning ‘in the midst of His enemies.’ In the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares we see the enemy sow tares amongst the wheat. Tares look almost exactly like wheat until the plants bear fruit. What is […]
Matthew 10:1-7 The King and Judas the Son of Perdition
Matthew 9:14-17 Why Didn’t Jesus’ Disciples Fast?
We must be careful only to bind the conscience where Scripture itself binds it. Our opinions of right and wrong are far more cultural than we would like to admit. For John the Baptist’s disciples one necessary element of true holiness was fasting…. but Jesus’ disciples never fasted. So John’s disciples ask Jesus why His […]
Matthew 7:1-6 A Basic Guide to Judging Others Part 1 of 2
What is the Christian to say when he says something is right or wrong and then he hears the typical ‘Judge not’ response, or ‘We aren’t supposed to judge?’ I mean, they are quoting Scripture.. right? Does this verse mean that that there must be no judging whatsoever? That we must be easy, tolerant, and […]
Matthew 6:16-18 The Theatre of the Damned- Part 3 of 3: Mr. Pious
If you are like most people you have probably thought very little about fasting? What is fasting? How is fasting related to piety? Should Christians fast today? Can fasting actually be sinful? Listen as Pastor Matt examines Jesus’ words concerning fasting, fasting’s relationship to piety, and an important warning concerning all outward shows of piety.
Matthew 6:5-8 The Theatre of the Damned Part 2 of 3- Mr. Prayerful
Last week we saw how indwelling sin causes people to play the part of Mr. Generous in order to gain the respect and honor of men instead of being motivated by compassion and love; they have their reward already. This week listen as Pastor Matt shows how that sin not only taints our good actions […]
Matthew 6:2-4 The Theatre of the Damned Part 1 of 3: Mr. Generous
When we practice our righteousness is it real or is it a theatrical performance? Listen as Pastor Matt explains how playing the part of Mr. Generous in order to appear righteous before men turns even our tithes and offerings into idolatry before a Holy God. Beware! If you are honored among men for your giving […]
Matthew 6:1-18 The Desire, the Deceitfulness, and the Danger of Hypocrisy
How can we recognize hypocrisy in our own hearts and what do we do when we find it there? Listen as Pastor Matt explains how Jesus warns us of the desire of hypocrisy, the deceitfulness of hypocrisy, the danger of hypocrisy, and how that Jesus’ righteousness applied to our hearts is our only deliverance from […]
