Sermon Central
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Matthew
Contributed by Ross Cochrane on Jan 29, 2010 (message contributor)
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1. Matthew 6 – Part 1 – Forget The Rewards, I’ll Do It For Free!
Contributed on Jan 29, 2010
REWARDS IN HEAVEN. Somehow that seems wrong to me. Surely heaven is enough reward and besides, if all sin is regarded as the same and deserving of hell, how can good deeds then be rated on a scale, and rewarded accordingly?
Matthew 6 – Part 1 – FORGET THE REWARDS, I’LL DO IT FOR FREE! Everywhere I look people offer me rewards if I buy this or shop at their store, or buy petrol at certain petrol stations. I am rewarded on my credit card if I buy a certain amount using their card. People at the ...read more
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2. Matthew 6 – Part 2 - Why Pray If God Already Knows My Needs?
Contributed on Jan 31, 2010
God chooses to answer me not because I have needs, but because I bring those needs to Him rather than try to meet them in my own strength. And He is not all that keen on repetition.
Matthew 6 – Part 3 - WHY PRAY IF GOD ALREADY KNOWS MY NEEDS? So what is the use of praying if God already knows what I need? Matthew 6:7 and 8 says “When you pray, don’t babble on and on as people of other religions do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again ...read more
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3. Matthew 6 – Part 3 – Time On My Knees Can Be So Painful!
Contributed on Feb 1, 2010
The Doctor asked me “What do you do for a living?” I said I was a Pastor and so I didn’t spend much time on my knees. She laughed and I wondered why, until I realised that this explanation sounded as if I was a backsliding Pastor.
Matthew 6 – Part 3 – TIME ON MY KNEES CAN BE SO PAINFUL! The last 3 days have been painful. Literally painful! I was playing with my grandson and crawling, on my knees, through tunnels that we made out of the cushions on the lounge – our secret castle to hide in (I know, ...read more
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4. Matthew 6 – Part 4 – I Can Never Forgive You!
Contributed on Feb 2, 2010
This seems like such a weak way to do things. Men like to just fight and then it’s done with. What is this forgiveness thing all about.
Matthew 6 – Part 4 – I CAN NEVER FORGIVE YOU! I did something terribly wrong to a lady once by speaking against her and influencing my client (her son) to go against her. I was wrong and eventually my sin caught up with me. I knew I would have to apologise and so I went to her ...read more
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5. Matthew 6 - Part 5 – A Diet That Really Works!
Contributed on Feb 3, 2010
Jesus talks about God giving us our daily bread but then fasting. He also says we "do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” I know this to be true. When I have fasted it has helped me to hear from God.
Matthew 6 - Part 5 – A DIET THAT REALLY WORKS! I bought some new bathroom scales recently, but I don’t like them. They tell you about your body fat ratio, and a number of other things, to help you determine not only what weight you are but how fit and healthy you are. They told me that I have ...read more
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6. Matthew 6 – Part 6 - So Are You Saying God Wants Me To Be Poor?
Contributed on Feb 4, 2010
Now here’s a passage that many Christians use to say that we ought to live in poverty and give away everything we own to the poor. Or the watered down version says that we should never be rich, only just earn enough money to live.
Matthew 6 – Part 6 - SO ARE YOU SAYING GOD WANTS ME TO BE POOR? I’ve never had all that much money in my life. Still don’t. But I’ve never lived in poverty either. I remember being down to I think $10 in our account. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to be rich, but mostly all I want is ...read more
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7. Matthew 6 – Part 7 – How Am I Expected To Live Without A Super Fund?
Contributed on Feb 5, 2010
If on the one hand I am to believe that as many Christians do that I should not be rich, then why am I investing in a Superfund and why am I not in India right now caring for the poor.
Matthew 6 – Part 7 – HOW AM I EXPECTED TO LIVE WITHOUT A SUPER FUND? If on the one hand I am to believe that as many Christians do that I should not be rich, then why am I investing in a Superfund and why am I not in India right now caring for the poor, or even better - in Haiti? ...read more
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8. Matthew 6 – Part 8 – Can’t I Serve God And Have Money Too?
Contributed on Feb 5, 2010
The simple answer to that question is “You may have it, but just remember it’s not yours!” In Luke 14:33 (NLT) Jesus says “...you cannot become My disciple without giving up everything you own.”
Matthew 6 – Part 8 – CAN’T I SERVE GOD AND HAVE MONEY TOO? The simple answer to that question is “You may have it, but just remember it’s not yours!” In Luke 14:33 (NLT) Jesus says “...you cannot become My disciple without giving up everything you ...read more
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9. Matthew 6 – Part 9 – Trying To Play A Symphony On An Old Piano
Contributed on Feb 7, 2010
“zçteô”. It means to seek; to go after; to strive; to pursue; to desire; to aim at; to search for; to endeavor to get. (POSB Commentary). SEEKING THE GRAND PIANO - His Kingdom and His righteousness. It’s tuned,it sounds better and He knows how it's played
Matthew 6 – Part 9 – TRYING TO PLAY A SYMPHONY ON AN OLD PIANO I don’t have any paid employment at present. Moving to Sydney has been a step of faith. We have limited resources for the future. Our possessions fit into a garage. Somewhere under all those boxes is a piano that we ...read more
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10. Matthew 6 – Part 10 – On Gulping And Leaping Into The Unknown?
Contributed on Feb 7, 2010
I seek to serve His purposes no matter what and He will supply for me. Now that takes faith, for me at least. I have to gulp and leap into the unknown.
Matthew 6 – Part 10 – GULPING AND LEAPING INTO THE UNKNOWN? Last time I mentioned that I don’t have any paid employment at present. Moving to Sydney has been a step of faith. We have limited resources for the future. Our possessions fit into a garage. I am excited about what ...read more
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11. Matthew 8:1-4 - Part 1 - When My Worship And His Willingness Collide!
Contributed on Feb 20, 2010
IT'S A COLLISION OF WORSHIP AND WILLINGNESS, OF SURRENDER AND SOVEREIGNTY. As I bow before Him as my Lord and Master, and articulate to Him what only He can do in my life, Jesus says "I am willing" and another mountain is moved.
Matthew 8:1-4 - Part 1 - WHEN MY WORSHIP AND HIS WILLINGNESS COLLIDE! I was a big kid in primary school. I matured before most other boys, and towered above them. Most kids stayed away from me. It didn't help when at 14, I grew a beard. Further alienation, this time from my teachers who thought ...read more
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12. Matthew 8 - Part 2 - Did You See That? Someone Just Got Healed!
Contributed on Feb 21, 2010
Apparently only a few people must have noticed that a man with leprosy had been healed that day.
Matthew 8 - Part 2 - DID YOU SEE THAT? SOMEONE JUST GOT HEALED! I went to a conference in Brisbane once in a large Church lead by Pastor Reg Kliminiok. After he spoke, I went to him to thank him for his message. I finally got my opportunity after others had finished speaking with him. He took an ...read more
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13. Matthew 8:5-7 Jesus Has No Favourites, Except Me!
Contributed on Feb 22, 2010
Yes, I hate to tell you but He loves me the best. Well actually He loves and cares for everyone who comes to Him and all of a sudden you will realise that you are His favourite. I am not just a number in the system.
Matthew 8:5-7 JESUS HAS NO FAVOURITES, EXCEPT ME! I'm now just another number in the system of "New Start". I made a phone call for Unemployment Benefits yesterday, while I am looking for a ministry opportunity. It took me a long time to get through and I was asked by a computer a series of ...read more
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14. Matthew 8:5-13 When My Belief And His Authority Collide
Contributed on Feb 23, 2010
DOES THIS MEAN THAT I CAN BELIEVE FOR OTHERS TO BE HEALED even if they don't have the faith? It seems to say this to me. Does it to you? But even more importantly is who I have faith in - JESUS, WHO HAS THE AUTHORITY TO HEAL.
Matthew 8:5-13 WHEN MY BELIEF AND HIS AUTHORITY COLLIDE! The first person that Jesus heals as recorded in Matthew was an outcast - a person with leprosy and Jesus told him to keep it a secret. The second person is someone of low social status - a servant. These are people who are the forgotten ...read more
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15. Matthew 8:14-15 - Lasagne Anyone? And By The Way, Who Was Peter’s Wife?
Contributed on Feb 24, 2010
In order to have a mother-in-law, Peter was obviously married, but we don’t even know her name, and it was his mother-in-law who got up after being healed by Jesus to prepare the meal, not Peter’s wife.
Matthew 8:14-15 - LASAGNE ANYONE? AND BY THE WAY, WHO WAS PETER’S WIFE? My youngest grandson has some teeth coming through and he has a high temperature and feels miserable most of the day. He has his first birthday party on Saturday, and so we are praying for him to be well. Jesus is good ...read more
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16. Matthew 8:16-17 - My Spiritual Battle For A Panadol - Matthew 8 - Part 6
Contributed on Feb 25, 2010
Now this is interesting. Demon possession, evil spirits cast out, people being healed and a prophecy from the distant past saying this applied to Jesus. Why aren't all people healed today when they come to Jesus?
Matthew 8:16-17 - "MY SPIRITUAL BATTLE FOR A PANADOL" - Matthew 8 - Part 6 Demons! There was a time when I told the Lord that I would do whatever He wanted me to do EXCEPT CAST OUT DEMONS and do weird stuff like that with the occult. I now realise that Jesus power and authority far exceeds that ...read more
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17. Part 7 - Matthew 8:17 -I Prayed For Him, Lord, And He Died! Why?
Contributed on Feb 26, 2010
I have prayed for a sick lady who had cancer, and she died. In fact more than one person I have prayed for has died and not been healed. Do you want someone like me to pray for you? Why weren't they healed?
Part 7 - Matthew 8:17 -I PRAYED FOR HIM, LORD, AND HE DIED! WHY? I have prayed for a sick lady who had cancer, and she died. In fact more than one person I have prayed for has died and not been healed. Do you want someone like me to pray for you? Why weren't they healed? Not enough faith? I ...read more
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18. Part 8 - Matthew 8:16-17 - I Prayed For Her, Lord, And She Died! Why?
Contributed on Feb 28, 2010
The children of a lady with cancer invited us to pray for her. We did and she gave her life to the Lord before she died. We prayed for her healing as well as for her to come to know Christ personally. Why did she die?
Part 8 - Matthew 8:16-17 - I PRAYED FOR HER, LORD, AND SHE DIED! WHY? The children of a lady with cancer invited us to pray for her. We did and she gave her life to the Lord before she died. We prayed for her healing as well as for her to come to know Christ personally. The Lord answered only ...read more
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19. Part 9 - Matthew 8:16-17 - On Demons, Clairvoyants, Horoscopes And Witchcra
Contributed on Mar 2, 2010
I have always thought that some CLAIRVOYANTS and some of those who prepare HOROSCOPES got their knowledge from demons. I have never been in doubt that WIGI BOARDS ARE DANGEROUS because they open people up to DEMONIC INFLUENCES.
Part 9 - Matthew 8:16-17 - ON DEMONS, CLAIRVOYANTS, HOROSCOPES AND WITCHCRAFT I have always thought that some CLAIRVOYANTS and some of those who prepare HOROSCOPES got their knowledge from demons. I have never been in doubt that WIGI BOARDS ARE DANGEROUS because they open people up to DEMONIC ...read more
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20. Part 10 - Matthew 8:18-34 - When Jesus Skips Out On Church, You Know Someth
Contributed on Mar 3, 2010
It's interesting to me that Jesus called His disciples to leave the crowd and His disciples and they experience some spiritual warfare as they cross to the other side of the lake. Why would Jesus miss this opportunity, when He had a crowd gathered?
Part 10 - Matthew 8:18-34 - WHEN JESUS SKIPS OUT ON CHURCH, YOU KNOW SOMETHING IS WRONG! I remember as a young student Pastor being invited to a Church for afternoon tea. They said they wanted to pray for me. What I didn't realise is that they wanted to pray for me to be their Pastor. At the end ...read more
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21. Part 11 - Matthew 8:19-20 - Does That Mean I Can’t Own My Own Home, Lord?
Contributed on Mar 3, 2010
A man comes and wants to follow Jesus, and Jesus gives Him an obscure answer about birds nests and foxes dens and about having no place to sleep! What is He saying? IF I AM TO BE A DISCIPLE (A CHRIST FOLLOWER) I CAN NEVER OWN MY OWN HOME?
Part 11 - Matthew 8:19-20 - DOES THAT MEAN I CAN’T OWN MY OWN HOME, LORD? Here we go again! Jesus doing something totally unexpected! A man comes and wants to follow Him like the other disciples are following Jesus, and He gives him an obscure answer about birds nests and foxes dens and about ...read more
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22. Part 12 - Matthew 8:18-22 - How Can Jesus Be So Callous?
Contributed on Mar 4, 2010
So how does our loving saviour and Lord get away with saying "Forget about burying your father. Just follow Me now!" How unsympathetic! How insensitive! Give the man a break. Let him bury his own father! What is going on here?
Part 12 - Matthew 8:18-22 - HOW CAN JESUS BE SO CALLOUS? My Dad died of cancer in a nursing home. He was in a partial coma when I visited him before that day came. We had come down from Queensland to Wagga Wagga, his birthplace. I was wondering where he was in terms of his relationship with ...read more
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23. Part 13 - Matthew 8:23-34 - Does Jesus Sleep During Your Storms Too?
Contributed on Mar 5, 2010
Jesus knew what He was doing! He always does. He had just finished giving peace to his discipes troubled by an angry demonic storm. And He would not be thwarted in giving peace to some troubled men who were in the grip of demonic influence.
Part 13 - Matthew 8:23-34 - DOES JESUS SLEEP IN YOUR STORMS TOO? "I got into the boat with the other disciples and we started across the lake. Some Pharisees seemed annoyed and the crowd was disappointed that we were going, but I saw Jonas, a man who had been healed of leprosy placating the ...read more
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24. Part 14 - Matthew 8:28-34 - An Unhealthy Fascination With Evil
Contributed on Mar 6, 2010
Today, our culture seems fascinated with death and vampires and witches and ghosts and horoscopes and clairvoyants and numerous other dark pathways to evil. It is disturbing because people feel they can control it. These kinds of choices have consequences
Part 14 - Matthew 8:23-34 - AN UNHEALTHY FASCINATION WITH EVIL He writhed on the floor while men and women gathered around him hurling their prayers. That’s the best way I can describe it. "Come out in Jesus name!" they said, and he writhed all the more as if in pain, and certainly in turmoil. ...read more
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25. Part 15 - Matthew 8:28-34 - An Unhealthy Desire For Power
Contributed on Mar 7, 2010
THE DESIRE FOR POWER IS OFTEN THE DOORWAY FOR THE DEMONIC. These men couldn't be bound by chains but they were certainly bound by Satan. They were almost completely under the control Satan, enslaved to him.
Part 15 - Matthew 8:28-34 - AN UNHEALTHY DESIRE FOR POWER My daughter and son-in-law once lived in Parramatta in Sydney, quite near an old cemetery. It had historic significance for Sydney and was protected, I think, by the national trust. It angered me when it was vandalised. A part of our ...read more
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26. Part 1 - Matthew 9:1-8 - Lord, Heal The Paralysis Of My Heart!
Contributed on Mar 19, 2010
This is where He HEALS A PARALYSED MAN. Why does Jesus heal this paralysed man then, but doesn't heal Joni now? Joni is paralysed too. I can only say that Joni has been used of God all around the world to bring many people to Christ. Could God heal her?
Part 1 - Matthew 9:1-8 - LORD, HEAL THE PARALYSIS OF MY HEART! I remember being invited to hear Joni Earekson Tada speak many years ago - a beautiful Christian woman who was paralysed from the neck down after a diving incident. When she spoke, the presence of God filled the room. In Matthew ...read more
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27. Part 2 - Matthew 9:9-13 - Jesus, Did You Just Call Me Scum?
Contributed on Mar 20, 2010
The Pharisees can't see why Jesus would want to "eat with such scum?" (Matthew 9:11). JESUS AGREES THAT THEY ARE SCUM! He just says, "Healthy people don't need a doctor-sick people do." (Matthew 9:12). There it is again - REDEMPTIVE POTENTIAL.
Part 2 - Matthew 9:9-13 - JESUS, DID YOU JUST CALL ME SCUM? In Kiev, MONEY CHANGERS sit in little booths with a small window. You can't see their faces and they mutter to you in Russian as you hand over American dollars in exchange for Grivnas. Whenever I exchanged money I seemed to be getting ...read more
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28. Part 3 - Matthew 9:14-17 - Surprise! I'm Already Here!
Contributed on Mar 21, 2010
Why are people still turning up to Jesus as John's disciples and wanting TO KEEP ON PREPARING THE WAY. Jesus has come. The Bridegroom has arrived. Get with the plan, people! He's here. All that is left is to celebrate the wedding!
Part 3 - Matthew 9:14-15 - SURPRISE! I'M ALREADY HERE! My youngest grandson had his first birthday recently. My daughter wanted to make it special for him and she invited all her friends with young children to come. SHE SPENT WEEKS PLANNING THIS PARTY. We spent a good week just setting it up. ...read more
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29. Part 4 - Matthew 9:15-17 - Renovate Or Demolish And Start Again!
Contributed on Mar 22, 2010
It seems to me that Jesus is saying He didn’t come to patch things up for me. HE ISN’T INTO PATCHING UP MY OLD WAY OF LIFE. He wants to make EVERYTHING NEW! New birth in Christ is NOT JUST A RENOVATION OF THE OLD WAY OF LIFE!
Part 4 - Matthew 9:15-17 - RENOVATE OR DEMOLISH AND START AGAIN! People in Airlie Beach in Australia are facing the task of a huge cleanup after a cyclone hit in the early hours of Sunday morning. Some are faced with the choice of renovate or start again. My son and daughter in law are also ...read more
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30. Part 5 - Matthew 9:18-22 - Lord, I'm In Desperate Need Of A Miracle!
Contributed on Mar 23, 2010
She touches the fringe of His robe in order to be healed. In Matthew 9:22 (NLT) it says "Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, "Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well." And the woman was healed at that moment." Are you in desper
Part 5 - Matthew 9:18-22 - LORD, I'M IN DESPERATE NEED OF A MIRACLE! HILLSONG CHURCH on Sunday night was incredible and I was amazed as always by the sheer number of people who filled the auditorium. Wall to wall people. I bumped into several people in the milling crowd apologising as we found ...read more