11.5.2017 When Angels Stare into the Face of God Matthew 18:7-14 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: Five seemingly disconnected stories and admonitions. That’s what Jesus strings together in his fourth sermon to his disciples (and onlookers). But behind the ostensible randomness is a very intentional point that Christ is making: he is revealing something essential about… Continue Reading
Become Like Children Matthew 18:1-6 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: In a moment of candor and intimacy, Jesus informs his disciples, who have been traveling with him for three years, that he will soon die. Specifically, he will be delivered into the hands of men and they will kill him. Naturally, upon hearing the news, the… Continue Reading
Engulfed in Glory Matthew 17:1-8 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: As human beings, we long for the day when glory will come. Rightly so, our hearts yearn for an end to suffering and pain. The prophet Isaiah says that when glory comes, the eyes of the blind will be opened, the ears of the deaf unstopped, the… Continue Reading
The Satisfied Christian Matthew 15:29-39 Taylor Mendoza, Director of Student Ministries Introduction: At the root of our dissatisfaction is a never-ending thirst that nothing in this world can satisfy. Every person in the world wants to know what will make him or her happy. We’re all desperately seeking for the person, place, or thing that… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes Table Scraps Matthew 15:21-28 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: Dry lips. Lightheadedness. Muscle soreness. Difficulty concentrating. These are all signs of extreme fatigue. In Matthew’s gospel, Jesus has tried to get alone to rest (and pray) multiple times but with each endeavor he is “recognized” and greeted by needy people, and sometimes thousands of… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes Two Strolls on a Furious Lake Matthew 14:22-33 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: The term “storm” has become a metaphor for difficult times in our lives. And rightly so. When tragedy strikes it can feel like we’re being tossed around, beaten by the waves of change, and nearly submerged by unexpected pain. When a… Continue Reading
8.6.2017 Sermon Notes Wilderness Feast Matthew 14:13-21 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: “Are you sitting down?” This is the question typically asked by the bearer of really bad news. There’s an understanding that the reception of calamitous information can have a physical and emotional impact on the hearer. Well, when Jesus heard about the death of… Continue Reading
Behind the Scenes at a Beheading Matthew 14:1-12 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: Anger. It is one of the most powerful and vitriolic of emotions. It causes brawls in the bedroom and fights in the middle of the street (hence the well-worn phrase, “road rage”). Unbridled, it can even lead to murder. What is striking about… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes Words to Christian Gardeners Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 Pastor Brent Whitefield Introduction: Christ employs yet another agricultural parable to assert his Lordship over both salvation and judgment. The work of the Divine Gardener at the end of the age, not our efforts to “make the world a better place,” will purify the kingdom and… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes The Purpose of the Parables Matthew 13:10-17 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: We are surrounded with so-called mysteries. It seems that nightly there are a half-dozen shows devoted to dealing with the inexplicable and unknown. But a mystery in biblical language is something entirely different: it is a truth that’s out in the open… Continue Reading