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
Sermon Notes Testing Jesus Matthew 4:1-11 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: You notice a woman drop a $20.00 bill on the sidewalk as she hastily disappears into Walgreens. What do you do? You check into a hotel and discover that a premium channel is free, and it’s featuring an explicit, yet critically praised, television show. How… Continue Reading
The Inner Life of God Matthew 3:13-17 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: Despite John’s protestations, Jesus is baptized by the Baptizer. And as soon as Jesus emerges from the water, two incredible things happen: First, the Spirit of God descends and, second, the voice of the Father pronounces his divine pleasure with the Son. As remarkable… Continue Reading
Sermon Notes Cosmic Invasion Matthew 3:1-12 Pastor John Sloan Introduction: His sartorial selections were strange. A tunic made of camel’s hair? His culinary choices were equally outlandish. Who eats locusts and wild honey? And, yet, as odd as John the Baptist was, it wasn’t his style and flair that caused the most drama, it was… Continue Reading