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
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