Sermons on Matthew 23:43:

Our Daily Bread - Matthew 6:11 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Sep 5, 2024

God will supply everything you need—but everything you need for what? To stay alive? Then why do we die? This sermon asks the question of exactly what the difference is between a need and a want, and where recreation fits in the Christian life.

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 6:11

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: Independent/Bible

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: Independent/Bible

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: Independent/Bible

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: Independent/Bible

The Right Side Of The Bus - Matthew 5:3 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 3, 2024

When a marvelous gift is unveiled, would you rather be the one watching the unveiling with tears of joy? Or the one being unveiled and applauded? This message shows how to find the greatest joy through lowliness, humility, and neediness.

Matthew 5:1-12 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:3

The Sooners Vs. The Soft - Matthew 5:5 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 4, 2024

This passage describes one of the virtues of Jesus that he explicitly drew attention to because of how important it is, and yet it’s one of the least desired virtues even among Christians. This message reveals the meaning of meekness, and how to become more meek.

Matthew 5:1-12 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:5

Designed To Shine - Matthew 5:14-16 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 12, 2024

When Jesus called us the light of the world, that was a metaphor. This message will help you interpret the metaphor and understand how to live it out in practical ways.

Matthew 5:13-16 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16

Living For The Glory Of God - Matthew 5:16 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 20, 2024

We all know that we should live for the glory of God every moment of every day. But how is that done? How can you eat a snack or drive to work or do the laundry or answer phone in ways that glory God?

Matthew 5:13-16 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:16

Christ And The Law - Matthew 5:17-18 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 20, 2024

Critics often accuse Christians of picking and choosing which parts of the Old Testament we consider binding today. Why do we appeal to the prohibition on homosexuality, and yet we don’t put an incorrigible child to death by stoning?

Matthew 5:17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:17-18

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

How To Forgive - Matthew 18:15-35 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 16, 2024

This message will show you how to overcome anger in your heart and soften your heart toward someone when your heart is refusing to forgive.

Matthew 18:15-35 If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-35

Self-Humbling - Matthew 6:16-18 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 19, 2024

Fasting is never commanded in the NT, yet all the godliest people in the Bible did it. If it is important, why isn't it discussed in the epistles? If it is not important, why did Jesus do it? And why did he promise reward if we do it?

Matthew 6:16 When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to men ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18

Fasting For Reward - Matthew 6:16-18 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 19, 2024

This message ends with a section that teaches how to make your resistant, unwilling heart more willing to fast. It’s the method Jesus used.

Matthew 6:16 When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to men ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:16-18