Introduction A. Jesus came to the Earth to bear witness to the truth (John 18:37), to bring light into the world (John 12:46), to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10), and to give His life a ransom (Matthew 20:28). B. The multitudes marveled at the power God had given to Jesus (Matthew 8:27; 9:8,33)—power He needed to carry out His mission. C. Many forces worked to defeat Him, but He overcame every one. Discussion I...
“From the Beginning”
Introduction A. When Jesus’ critics lined up with their questions, the Pharisees were first in line with their question on divorce (Matthew 19:1-6). B. In response to their question, Jesus takes them back to the very beginning to show them what God intended for our homes. Discussion I. Let’s look at the individuals in this original model. A. In the first home, there was a man and a woman (Genesis 1:27; 2:23). B. Each of the...
Good Gifts for Children
Introduction A. Children will ask their parents for a lot of things, but not always the things that they really need. B. Around birthdays parents start to think about good gifts that they could buy for their children. Let’s think about some good gifts that we can give them year-round. Discussion I. We can give them security.
A. Financial security is a good gift for children (Proverbs 13:22). B. Our love is an essential gift that our...
Who Is This Jesus?
Introduction A. John portrays Jesus as One Who was both fully man and fully God. B. Matthew approaches the task of chronicling Jesus’ life from a uniquely Jewish perspective with a strong emphasis on the kingdom of heaven that Jesus came to establish. C. Matthew portrays Jesus as the One anointed by God. I. Jesus is the Messiah, the Anointed One. A. Jesus is a prophet (John 4:19; 9:17; Matthew 21:46; 13:57). B. Jesus...
What a Friend We Have in Jesus!
Introduction A. Friends that you can really count on are rare, and we should be thankful for every one we have. B. As great as our friends may be, the fact is that there is not a friend anywhere in this world like Jesus. I. Jesus was always a friend to the friendless. A. He was a friend to lepers (Mark 1:41; Matthew 26:6). B. He was a friend to sinners (Matthew 9:11-12; 11:19). C. He was a friend to the poor (Luke 4:18...
A Different Kind of Kingdom
Introduction A. When Jesus came into this world, He found a people expecting the kingdom to appear at any moment. B. The kingdom Jesus ushered in was very different from the one they had been expecting and from any other they had ever seen. I. This kingdom has a different kind of king. A. When offered earthly dominions, this King refused them (Matthew 4:8-10; John 6:15). B. When this King entered the capital...
“Love One Another”
Introduction A. In His final instructions to the disciples, the one commandment that Jesus chose to emphasize was that they continue to love one another as He had loved them (John 15:12). B. Jesus knew that the disciples would need one another to weather the storms ahead, and nothing could hold them together like love. I. Why was brotherly love so important to Jesus at this moment? A. Jesus saw love...
The Marks of Jesus
Introduction A. Scars are difficult to get rid of and often are worn forever. B. When Paul told the Galatians, “I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus” (6:17), they knew what he meant (cf. Acts 14:19). C. Do we bear the marks of the Lord in our body today? I. Jesus’ resurrected body bore many marks for our sakes. A. He bore the marks of a whip (Matthew 27:26). B. He bore the marks of thorns and a reed (Matthew 27...
Don’t Give Up Now!
Introduction A. When Jesus offered the bread of life to a crowd with an appetite that only literal bread would appease, many refused to walk with Him another step. B. When the Christian life becomes difficult, there are many who will give up when God’s greatest gifts are yet to come. I. Jesus reminds us that any hardships we endure are only temporary. A. In the garden He asked for just one hour (Matthew 26:40)...
Failing to Live Up to It
Introduction A. Everyone knows the feeling of making a commitment and then failing to live up to it. Can you imagine how Peter felt after he forsook the Lord in the garden and then denied Him? B. When we fail to live up to the commitment that we have made to the Lord, what should we do? I. The disciples’ faith failed more than once. A. Their faith failed them on the Galilee Sea (Luke 8:22-25). B. Peter’s faith failed him on...