Sermons on Matthew 4:1-48:

Transition And Testimony (Matthew 11:1-30)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Mar 14, 2025

Our commentary on Matthew continues with Jesus' testimony about the ministry of John the Baptist and the promise of judgment upon the unbelieving cities who witnessed HIs work yet did not repent.

Matthew 11 begins with what is referred to as a "transitional" passage (v.1). While the disciples were going around the countryside doing the work that Jesus had commissioned, He continued to preach in the cities in Galilee. Verses 2-3 describe how John the Baptist had been thrown into ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:1-30, Luke 10:13-22, Genesis 19:12-14, Luke 7:18-35

Denomination: Baptist

The Compassion Of Christ – Matthew 9 Part 1 Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on Mar 15, 2025

Despite the continued opposition of the religious leaders, JESUS continues to fulfill his mission and show compassion for those in need. Dealing with Sin and Sickness, and our calling to not only follow HIM, but to help bring others to HIM. The LORD of the Harvest call you, "Help Wanted"

BIG IDEA. OPPOSITION INCREASES, HEALING MINISTRY CONTINUES. Despite the continued opposition of the religious leaders, JESUS continues to fulfill his mission and show compassion for those in need. Dealing with Sin and Sickness, and our calling to not only follow HIM, but to help bring others to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:1-38, Mark 2:14, Romans 5:8, Matthew 5:3, Hosea 6:6, Ephesians 2:14-18, Ephesians 2:16, Matthew 28:18-20, 1 Peter 3:15, 2 Peter 3:9, Isaiah 6:8-9, James 5:20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lord Of The Sabbath ( Matthew 12:1-14)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Mar 23, 2025

In this chapter, Jesus teaches the true meaning of the “Sabbath” and how it is to bring glory to God, not to be used as a religious weapon. The hostility towards Jesus was starting to grow.

Before we undergo any further study of this chapter, it would be helpful to understand the concept of the “Sabbath”. According to the fourth commandment (Exodus 20:8), the Sabbath was set aside as one day in seven to cease from labor and take a rest from all unnecessary activity. Exodus 31:15 ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 31:15, Colossians 1:16-17, Hosea 6:6, Matthew 12:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Sign Of Jonah (Matthew 12:38-42)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Apr 6, 2025

The Pharisees kept clamoring for a sign that Jesus was the Promised Messiah. Jesus in turn saw this request as a waste of time and effort. Nothing He would do or say would ever make them believe.

Beginning in Matthew 12:38-42, we read that the Pharisees won’t leave Jesus alone. Now they wanted to see a “sign from heaven” that would provide visual evidence of His Divinity. Consider what has happened so far in the ministry of the Lord Jesus. These same religious leaders had seen the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:1, Matthew 24:3, John 4:48, 1 Corinthians 1:22

Denomination: Baptist

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

Dumping The Treasury - Matthew 6:19-21 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 21, 2024

How do we obey the command not to store up treasure on earth when we need to earn a living, provide for our families, save for future bills and for our children, etc? This message gives specific instruction on what it means to use money without treasuring it.

Matthew 6:19-24 19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21

The Showdown In The Desert (Matthew 4:1-11)

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Nov 6, 2024

After being baptized in the Jordan river, Jesus was driven into the Judean wilderness by the Holy Spirit to face forty days of hunger, thirst, and a supernatural battle with His archenemy and ours, the devil.

The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness of Judea, a barren, dry, and desolate area. It would be a place of severe testing where He would encounter the works and wiles of the devil, a real being whose aim was to try and tempt Jesus to abuse HIs power, lose His faith, or submit to the ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 28:11-15, Matthew 4:1-11, 1 Peter 5:8, Isaiah 14:7-12, Revelation 20:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

An Error In Judgment - Matthew 7:1-2 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 7, 2024

Some use this passage to condemn all judging, which is self-contradictory. Not all judgment is wrong. We must make judgments, but this message will alert you to seven kinds of judging that are forbidden in Scripture.

Matthew 7:1 "Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-2

What’s The Catch? - Matthew 7:7 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 15, 2024

We know we do not get everything we ask for, so when Jesus says “Ask and you will receive” what is the catch?

Matthew 7:7-12 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7

Be A Son, Not A Dog - Matthew 7:7-11 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 15, 2024

For our relationship to God to be what it should be, it’s crucial to understand God’s generosity and eagerness to bless us. This is a whole sermon on the generosity of God. It’s an especially important message for folks who tend to think of God as reluctant to bless them or answer their prayers.

Matthew 7:7-12 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:7-11

A House Of Cards - Matthew 7:24-27 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 20, 2024

What is the "rock" Jesus tells us to build our house on? The Word of God? Jesus? No. Both the rock builders and the sand builders are building on Jesus' words. It's not enough to build on his words. Jesus tells us the difference between rock and sand.

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 7:24-27

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