Sermons on Matthew 18:36:

The Kingdom Way – Grace Over Fairness. Matthew 20 Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on Aug 9, 2025

MATTHEW 20: GRACE, GREATNESS and THE GOD WHO SEES. GOD’s kingdom operates on grace, not human merit. GOD’s grace defies human fairness, greatness is measured by servanthood, and spiritual sight is found in recognizing JESUS.

2025.08.10. Sermon Notes. THE KINGDOM WAY – GRACE OVER FAIRNESS. Matthew 20. GRACE, GREATNESS and THE GOD WHO SEES. William Akehurst, HSWC SCRIPTURES: Matthew 20:1-34, Romans 9:15-16, Ephesians 2:8-9, 2 Peter 1:10-11, Revelation 22:17, Matthew 7:21-23, John 15:16, James 4:6, Ephesians 4:1 BIG ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:1-34, Romans 9:15-16, Ephesians 2:8-9, 2 Peter 1:10-11, Revelation 22:17, Matthew 7:21-23, John 15:16, James 4:6, Ephesians 4:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Disregarding Tradition And Taboo (Matthew 15:1-39)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Aug 20, 2025

In this chapter, we read about the Lord Jesus’ encounter with the Pharisees yet again, and of His mercy to a Gentile woman whose daughter was possessed by a demon.

Coming from Jerusalem, the Pharisees asked Jesus why His disciples did not perform the traditional ritual of washing one’s hands before eating. This ceremony had been established by the “elders” and had nothing to do with hygiene alone, but was instead an elaborate ritual that involved not only ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-39, Isaiah 29:13, Mark 7:24-30, Mark 8:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Rapture Ready--Living With Authentic Faith Matthew 23 Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on Sep 14, 2025

To be rapture ready, we must move from empty religion to authentic relationship with CHRIST. JESUS condemns hypocrisy and calls us to authentic faith expressed in humility, obedience, and servant leadership. Outward show can’t replace inward surrender. Be watchful. Be faithful. Be ready.

2025.09.14 Sermon. RAPTURE READY_LIVING WITH AUTHENTIC FAITH_WOE TO HYPOCRISY, YES TO HUMILITY Matthew 23 William Akehurst, HSWC Scripture Readings Matthew 23:1-39, 2 Timothy 3:5, James 1:22, Philippians 2:3, Luke 12:1, John 10:9, 1 Timothy 6:5, Micah 6:8, Matthew 15:8, 1 Samuel 16:7, Matthew ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 23:1-39, 2 Timothy 3:5, James 1:22, Philippians 2:3, Luke 12:1, John 10:9, 1 Timothy 6:5, Micah 6:8, Matthew 15:8, 1 Samuel 16:7, Matthew 5:20, Matthew 7:21-23, Revelation 3:1-3, 2 Peter 3:9, John 14:3, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, Matthew 24:44, Matthew 23:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:6, Matthew 23:39  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

If You Do Not Forgive… - Matthew 6:14-15 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 22, 2024

This message and the next will help you understand what God requires of you when someone hurts you, and how to move your heart from unwillingness to forgive to eagerness to forgive.

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 6:14-15

The Disaster Of The Dark Lamp - Matthew 6:22-23 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 4, 2024

Your hidden attitudes and your way of looking at things will color all the data before it reaches your brain, so that you will never see things properly unless you have a generous, honest outlook. This message will alert your soul to the deadly dangers of greedy attitudes.

Matthew 6:19 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and eating destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and eating do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:22-23

Stress-Free Suffering - Matthew 6:27-34 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 6, 2024

Anxiety is not caused by trouble. It is caused by an untrusting heart’s response to trouble. There are six spiritual causes of anxiety, and Jesus shows us the solutions.

Matthew 6:25 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:27-34

Judgment Day Surprise - Matthew 7:21-23 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 18, 2024

Many will call Jesus Lord and have impressive, Christ-centered ministries and yet be condemned because 1) they were not known by Christ (not favored by Him and did not trust and obey Him) and 2) they did not do the Father’s will (a function of knowing God) and are therefore lawbreakers.

Matthew 7:15 Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:21-23

A Passion Greater Than Comfort - Matthew 16:24 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Nov 22, 2024

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to seek comfort over commitment? How quickly we gravitate towards convenience over courage? May our passion for Jesus always be greater than our passion for an easy life.

A Passion Greater Than Comfort Introduction Have you ever noticed how easy it is to seek comfort over commitment? How quickly we gravitate towards convenience over courage? Yet, when we read the Bible, we discover that following Jesus is not about ease—it's about a deep and abiding passion for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24, Galatians 2:20, John 16:33, Colossians 3:17, Matthew 6:19-21, James 1:2-3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Kill Sin Or Die - Matthew 5:29-30 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 14, 2024

The threat Jesus warns of here is being thrown into hell. For a lustful look? How do we reconcile that with passages that assure us that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ?

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 5:29-30

Amputation 101 - Matthew 5:29-30 (Contd) Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 14, 2024

The key to persuading your heart to fling sin away is to become convinced that nearness to God would be more satisfying than that sin. But what do you do when the sin brings intense pleasure and the last few times you sought God in prayer or Scripture it was boring?

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 5:29-30

Life Under Oath - Matthew 5:33-37 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 17, 2024

Everything you ever say is under oath, as if you swore by God himself that it’s true. This message will help you grasp how important truthtelling in every detail of life is. It also explains the legitimate purpose of formal oaths.

Matthew 5:33-37 "Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' 34 But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:33-37

One-Handed Giving - Matthew 6:3-4 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 27, 2024

Jesus spends so much time in Matthew 6 and other places trying to get us to be motivated by eternal rewards. Why are so few Christians still not motivated by reward?

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 6:3-4

Go To Your Room - Matthew 6:5-6 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 28, 2024

Why does God promise reward for private prayer? And how can you make your daily prayer time the most enjoyable part of your day, instead of a drudgery or chore that is dry and boring? This message will help you actually look forward to your prayer time each day and come away closer to God.

Matthew 6:5-16 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 6:5-6

Prayin’ Like A Pagan - Matthew 6:7-8 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Aug 30, 2024

How would you naturally finish this sentence: “God already knows what you need before you ask him, therefore ____.” The conclusion Jesus finishes that sentence gives us great insight into how to pray in a way that truly communes with God, rather than just saying dry words.

Matthew 6:5-8 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 6:7-8

Hallowed Be Your Name - Matthew 6:9b Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 1, 2024

Why does Jesus teach us to ask God to hallow his own name?

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 6:9