Sermon Notes Enemies Who Have Been Loved Matthew 5:34-48 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: First-century Jewish leaders had no problem with the command to “love one’s neighbor as oneself,” but they had a very narrow definition of neighbor. Only someone who was racially, ethnically, culturally and religiously just like them fit that description. Yet, Jesus radically… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes Live Brave, Not Safe Matthew 17:20 Oscar Muriu, Senior Pastor of Nairobi Chapel 01. The nature of mustard seed faith: 02. Living brave: 03. Application: Sermon Slides 1. Do not let the smallness of your vision . . . limit the greatness of God! 2. Jesus said “I tell you the truth, if… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes On Turning the Other Cheek Matthew 5:33-42 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: Give away our most personal clothing? Offer up our face for a direct smack? What kind of teaching is this? These are some of the most controversial and confusing statements made by Jesus, but in the overall context of the Sermon on… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes Mercy in Marriage (and Divorce) Matthew 5:31-32 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: In Ancient Judaism, particularly in the first century, there was a raging debate as to what behaviors justified divorce. The conservative school had one conviction, to which they held strongly; the liberal school had another. But Jesus, not surprisingly, has a completely… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes Let’s Not Pretend This Is Easier Than It Is Matthew 5:27-30 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: When traditions and man-made rules became more important than people, it sparked the ire of our Savior. Jesus was angered by those who were always measuring themselves according to their ability to keep the rules, while showing… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes Forget What You’ve Heard Matthew 5:21-26 Pastor John Sloan Murder. Is any crime more evil? The consequences thereof more irrevocable? Yet, Jesus seems to equate hatred toward a brother with the shedding of innocent life. How could he even make such a comparison? The answer is: To Jesus, the root of murder is… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes I Fought The Law and The Law Won Matthew 5:17-20 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: It’s been almost five hundred years since Martin Luther wrote, “The law says ‘do this’, and it is never done. Grace says, ‘believe in this’ and everything is already done.” Such sentiments strike a cord when considering Jesus’ Sermon… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes Salt/Light Matthew 5:13-16 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: “Come closer.” Surrounded by peasants, the religious brass, and curious observers, Jesus beckons for his disciples to lean in and listen. When they do, he gives this group of fairly new believers two lasting metaphors for the type of influence that his followers will have in… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes Thy Kingdom Come … in Our Hearts and Lives Matthew 5:1-12 Pastor Brent Whitefield Introduction: Our familiarity with the Beatitudes can blunt the radical nature of the teaching behind them. Jesus is not only offering up the most impossible of ethical and moral standards for us to follow, but he attaches to it… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes A Strange and Glorious Move Matthew 4:12-25 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: The early days of Jesus’ ministry were filled with unexpected twists, starting with the location of his “home base.” Certainly, had Jesus consulted a church-growth specialist concerning the most strategic launching point for an effective ministry in Israel, he would’ve heard: “Go… Continue Reading