Matthew 14:6-21 The Crony King vs. Christ the King
Matthew connects the narratives of Herod’s hedonistic birthday part and Jesus’ feeding of the 5,000 with the linchpin that holds them together being their response to John the Baptist. Listen as Pastor Matt explains the stark difference between the Crony King Herod and Christ the King Jesus, and how that difference established Jesus’ eternal Kingdom […]
Jesus, Herod, John the Baptist, and the Temple_ A Wowing Theme in Matthew
Matthew 14:13-21 The Feeding of the 5000
With the exception of the resurrection of Jesus, the feeding of the 5,000 is the only miracle that is found in all four Gospels. What made this miracle so impactful to all the apostles? Listen as Pastor Matt extols the compassion of Jesus and His infinite ability to supply the needs of His people.
Matthew 14:3-12 Herod & Herodias- A Case Study in Suppressing the Truth
Every man is an enemy of God, who surpasses the truth until he’s been born again. We suppress the light of conscience. We suppress the light of God’s Law. And once our consciences are seared we risk being given over to our own depraved natures. At that point we descend deeper and deeper into the […]
Matthew 14:3-12- John the Baptist: A Case Study in Speaking the Truth
How should a Christian think of cultural engagement? Should the church address political issues? Should Christians speak out against wicked rulers? The example of John the Baptist is instructive. 1) He knew what was going on 2) He knew what God’s law said 3) He spoke to Herod about his sin 4) He was undeterred […]
Matthew 14:1-2 Jesus’ Fame, John the Baptist’s Fate, and Herod’s Folly
Matthew 13:53-58 A Prophet in His Own Hometown
We are all familiar with Matthew 13:57 “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.” This verse is part of a narrative where Jesus is rejected by the people of His own home town. But why do they reject Him? Listen as Pastor Matt explains why Jesus’ ministry […]
Matthew 13:51-52 The Duty of Those Who Understand
Jesus asks the disciples if they understand the things He taught them in the Parabolic Discourse, and they say they do. Jesus then gives a one last parable that is unlike the others. All the other parables are ‘Kingdom Parables’ which explain what the Kingdom of heaven is like, but this one explains what a […]
