Sermon Notes Would-Be Disciples Matthew 8:18-22 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: Among those who spurn the invitation to follow Jesus, there are typically three types of objections: Intellectual (“It’s narrow-minded to suggest that Jesus is the only way to God”), Emotional (“How could Jesus condemn anyone to hell?”), and Volitional (“Too many of his commands… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes Unworthy Matthew 8:1-13 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: The world’s greatest sermon has ended. Jesus has wrapped up his instructions with some hard words. But his controversial conclusion doesn’t cause anyone to say, “That’s all I can take of this guy.” Instead, the crowd continues to hang on his every word, even following him… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes Judging People Matthew 7:1-11 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: “It’s not my place, or yours, to tell someone else what is right or wrong! Hey, we’re all sinners.” So goes the claim often marshaled against anyone who offers correction. It sounds good … but is it true? Well, yes, we’re all sinners. But, despite… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes Sent Selected Scriptures Pastor John Sloan Introduction: In one of the most moving prayers of the Bible, Jesus pleads with God to watch over those who belong to him. To his Father, as he reflects on his looming death, Jesus says: “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world.… Continue Reading
The Opposite of Faith Matthew 6:25-34 Pastor Brent Whitefield Introduction: Today we consider the least heeded of Christ’s admonitions: Not to be anxious about your life. Our anxiety level as Christians tells us more than we like about our faith, yet our willingness to embrace the priority of the kingdom can have a transformative effect… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes The Christian and Fasting Matthew 6:16-18 Pastor Scott Williams Introduction: Once again, Jesus takes aim at the sin of hypocrisy; doing acts of righteousness in order to gain the approval of others rather than for the approval of the Lord. Like he did with charitable giving and prayer, Jesus exposes the smug self-righteousness… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes Experiencing Forgiveness Matthew 6:12, 14-15 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: The unwavering witness of Scripture is that forgiveness from God—the pardon for sin—is a free gift, not a reward for anything we do or don’t do. It’s not based on our goodness, church attendance, offerings, rule keeping, baptism, or anything else. The good news… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes The God Who Hears Matthew 6:11-13 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: Naturally, it is appropriate and right for God’s people to come to their Creator and simply worship and praise him. He is, after all, God. Even so, biblical prayer is at the very heart petitionary. It involves God’s people bringing their needs to… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes Pray Like This Matthew 6:9b- 10 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: While it’s good to recite the Lord’s Prayer precisely as it reads, it’s not a secret formula. Jesus is not concerned about repeating specific words, but about teaching his followers a way to pray: principles to be extrapolated so that even when we use… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes No Reward for Empty Words Matthew 6:1-9a Pastor John Sloan Introduction: There was no sin that caused Jesus to say to the offending party, “You are hopelessly beyond redemption.” But it is clear in the Gospels that Jesus is disgusted by theatrical righteousness. There is a form of outward piety—noble acts done for… Continue Reading