Sermons on Matthew 18:1-2:12:

Matters Of The Heart. Matthew 5:17-48 Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on Feb 18, 2025

It’s a Heart Matter. JESUS is teaching what it means to be a disciple in GOD’s Kingdom in understanding and applying the law and true Righteousness, by dealing with our sin nature through the matters of the heart.

2025.02.16. Sermon Notes. MATTERS OF THE HEART. Matthew 5:17-48 THE Law and True Righteousness. William Akehurst HSWC BIG IDEA: It’s a Heart Matter. JESUS is teaching what it means to be a disciple in GOD’s Kingdom in understanding and applying the law and true Righteousness, by dealing with our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:27-48, Romans 10:4, Matthew 24:35, Romans 8:4, Galatians 2:21, Romans 3:23, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Psalm 14:1, Romans 12:18, Ephesians 4:26-27, James 1:14-15, 2 Samuel 11:2-4, Matthew 6:33, Deuteronomy 24:1, Exodus 20:7, Romans 12:21, Deuteronomy 32:35, Romans 3:21-22, 1 Peter 1:15-16, Leviticus 11:45, Philippians 3:8-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Go! And Show Mercy - Matthew 5:7 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Feb 19, 2025

We continue our ‘Go! And…’ series by focusing on a powerful yet often misunderstood command from Jesus. Matthew 5:7: "God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy."

Go! And Show Mercy - Matthew 5:7 Introduction Today, we continue our ‘Go! And…’ series by focusing on a powerful yet often misunderstood command from Jesus. Our key verse is found in Matthew 5:7: "God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy." (Matthew 5:7, NLT) In ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:7, Lamentations 3:22-23, Ephesians 2:4-5, John 8:10-11, Luke 10:33-37, Luke 6:36, Colossians 3:13, James 2:13-17, Matthew 7:1-2, James 2:13, Proverbs 11:25, Romans 10:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

7 Woes On Religious Leaders (Matthew 23)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 17, 2024

Why are we afraid to preach Matthew 23? Why does the Revised Common Lectionary leave it completely out? Are we afraid to let our churches know that we church leaders are weak, and fail, and also need to repent? Let's find out in Matthew 23.

Jesus warned about hypocrisy among religious leaders and accompanying woes. Have we ever heard this taught? Is it just too painful to admit that we church leaders can sometimes be just like the Pharisees? Let’s learn some hard lessons from Jesus in Matthew 23. Hypocrisy Do we practice what we ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Prophecy From The Mount Of Olives (Matthew 24)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Mar 23, 2024

How should we put prophecy into practice? Are there overlooked action words the prophecy from the Mount of Olives in Matthew 24?

Let’s look at an often misunderstood prophecy in Matthew 24. Before studying it, let’s consider the four major views. Preterism (or past fulfillment) believes that all such prophecies were fulfilled around 70 AD. Historicism (or present ongoing fulfillment) is a view that these events are ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus' Suffering (Matthew 27a)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 13, 2024

What pampered king, president or prime minister of this world would suffer for the sake of his people? Yet, Jesus, king of the world did. Let's look at Jesus' suffering in Matthew 27:1-33.

How much did Jesus suffer even before His crucifixion? Let’s glimpse His suffering in Matthew 27:1-33. Who was Jesus taken to next? Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. So they bound him, led him away and handed him ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:1-33

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus' Crucifixion (Matthew 27b)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 14, 2024

Let's examine the events of Jesus' crucifixion in Matthew 27.

What did they do as they crucified Jesus? Let’s look at Matthew 27:34-66. The soldiers gave Jesus wine mixed with bitter gall, but when he had tasted it, he refused to drink it. After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. Then they sat around and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:34-66

Denomination: Baptist

Faith As A Child (Matthew 18:1-14)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jan 7, 2026

Jesus taught His disciples that faith does not need to be complicated. He also warned that any one who harmed children or someone new to the faith would suffer a horrendous fate.

Verses 1-5: The disciples asked Jesus a question. Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? They were probably thinking that one of them was better than the others and were as the term says, “jockeying for position” to see who the Lord would choose as His “favorite”. Now was the time for ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 127:3, Proverbs 22:6, Matthew 18:6-7, Ephesians 5:8

Denomination: Baptist

The Greater Righteousness - Matthew 5:20-21 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 3, 2024

How can Jesus say anger is equivalent to murder? Killing a human being has such greater consequences and is so much more extreme. This message will show how the two sins have the same DNA and will expose how even our best efforts to obey God’s Word can degenerate into legalism.

Matthew 5:19-26 Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:20-21

Reconciled Relationships - Matthew 5:22-26 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 3, 2024

When you're holding a grudge against someone, God will not accept your worship -- unless ...

Matthew 5:19-26 Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:22-26

Eye Faithfulness - Matthew 5:27-28 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 14, 2024

What constitutes a lustful look? Is it adultery every time a man looks at an attractive woman and likes what he sees?We know it is not a sin to be tempted, and yet it is sin to have certain desires, so where do you cross the line into sin?

Matthew 5:27-30 "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:27-28

An Eye For An Eye - Matthew 5:38-39 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 20, 2024

It’s surprising to discover how many subtle ways we take revenge on those who hurt us. This message will help you discover them and show you the remedy Jesus gave us.

Matthew 5:38-42 "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' 39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:38-42

Faith In The Storms - Lessons From Matthew 14 Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on Jun 8, 2025

Faith in the Storm. Jesus is sovereign over every need, fear, and circumstance. He alone satisfies, sustains, and saves. Jesus reveals His power and presence in the midst of life’s storms, calling us to walk by faith, not fear. Trust in God for His Grace, Provision, Compassion, and Healing.

2025.06.08. Sermon Notes. FAITH IN THE STORMS - Lessons from Matthew 14 William Akehurst, HSWC SCRIPTURES: MATTHEW 14:1-36, JOHN 16:33 BIG IDEA: Faith in the Storm. Jesus is sovereign over every need, fear, and circumstance. He alone satisfies, sustains, and saves. Jesus reveals His power and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:1-36, John 16:33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Living For The Pleasure Of God - Matthew 6:1 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 27, 2024

We all know hypocrisy is evil. But few people understand the remedy Jesus gave. How does living for reward cure the disease of hypocrisy?

Matthew 6:1-18 "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:1

Giving & Reward - Matthew 6:2 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 27, 2024

Why does Jesus tell us to give, fast, and pray in secret, when earlier in the sermon he had commanded that we do our acts of righteousness before men to be seen by them? This message will give you a new way of looking at the commands to live for reward.

2 Corinthians 9:6-11 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:2

Kingdom Praying - Matthew 6:10a Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 1, 2024

What can we learn about our culture from the Santa Clause story?

Matthew 6:5-15 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:10