Sermons on Toby Mac:

Answering A Tough Question

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Jul 29, 2010

Here is the parable of the sower, which we have typically spiritualized to death. What is the bottom line principle exposed in this parable?

Passage: Matthew 13:10-17 Intro: Let’s just dive right into this fascinating and tough passage. 1. right in the middle of the parable and explanation of God’s revelational plan 2. soils, hard to soft, barren to fertile. 3. so the disciples, after this first parable, wonder why ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:10-17

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Power In A Tiny Package

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Jul 29, 2010

We like to think of the gospel as a huge behemoth, but it is actually an incredibly powerful force in a very unassuming package.

Passage: Matthew 13:31-35 Intro: We’ve all had those moments, which some people calls “Aha moments” 1. something that has been a little mystifying becomes clear (er) 2. the longer we live, we see that the world is divided. 3. not the little divisions, but the one big one ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:31-35

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Universal Forces

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Jul 29, 2010

The big picture of what God is doing in the world, and the opposition arrayed against him, is played out for us in this parable and it's explanation

Passage: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 Intro: Global impact of this hunk of ice that broke off of Antarctica. PP huge iceberg from space PP further out photo PP whole of Antarctica 1. we can get very nervous about things when we talk about global scale. 2. but talk ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-43

Denomination: Evangelical Free

A Satisfying Summary

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Jul 29, 2010

When looking at the parables, we have to make sure we get the main points and don’t get lost in the details. Here is the main point.

Passage: Matthew 13:47-58 Intro: I love summaries! 1. something really satisfying about gathering info and drawing conclusions. 2. we have been looking at the parables from Matthew for some weeks. 3. and we have found some repetition. 4. so here at the last of these parables in this ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:47-58

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Sower Sows The Seed

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Jul 29, 2010

It's not rocket science, but really very clear. We have a task, and God uses our work and accomplishes what He wills with it.

Passage: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 Intro: Not skipping over vv10-17, do them next week. 1. it is a digression, and very important, but want to do this parable so we understand it. 2. when we look at parables, we have to be very careful. 3. tendency to attach meaning to every detail of the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Power Of Fear

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Aug 3, 2010

Fear is a normal abnormality, something we are very used to in our world. Here is the story of the execution of John, and the fear that was behind it.

Passage: Matthew 14:1-12 Intro: Fear is the negative emotion we are most comfortable with. 1. it is a normal abnormality, something we have gotten very used to in our world. 2. fear is a hugely powerful force; a vast majority of the things we do, or don’t do, are motivated by fear. 3. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Eye-Opening Faith

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Aug 3, 2010

Fear is destructive, so faith should be constructive. When faith is at work, it opens our eyes and enables us to do something about the need we see all around us.

Passage: Matthew 14:13-21 Intro: I remember when I got glasses in 4th grade. 1. we had a vision test every year at school, and apparently I failed. 2. so off we went to the eye doctor, and I got fitted with glasses. Wow! 3. individual bricks, leaves on trees, pins at the end of the bowling ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:13-21

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Living In The Spiritual Dimension

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Aug 3, 2010

We are used to the physical world with all of its limitations. But Jesus calls us to go beyond those limited dimensions, and faith is the key.

Passage: Matthew 14:22-36 Intro: Have you got your 3D TV yet? 1. have to wear those glasses, but we are moving into the 3rd dimension. Il) when one kid was asked what the 4th dimension of the physical universe was, he answered, “Weight?” 2. we are used to height, width, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-36

Denomination: Evangelical Free

What Sets Christianity Apart

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Aug 3, 2010

All of the religions of the world have works at their core; all except Christianity. Here is a great story of Jesus confronting the self-righteous works righteousness of His day, and ours!

Passage: Matthew 15:1-20 Intro: Christianity is unique among the religions of the world. 1. and we are going to see why it is in this passage. 2. it is a conversation of intense conflict, so much so that it made Jesus’ disciples nervous. 3. in an atmosphere of love and grace, Jesus ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical Free

A Powerful Change In Direction

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Aug 3, 2010

Here is a great story, full of drama, of desperation, of the bringing down of the walls of racism and pride.

Passage: Matthew 15:21-28 Intro: It’s a gripping story. Has all the elements of great drama. 1. personal desperation, great need 2. controversy, argument, decision 3. it is an intensely personal story, teaching great principles that have powerful application. 4. Jesus is at a ministry ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 15:21-28

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Heart Of God

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Aug 3, 2010

Here is a huge miracle, the feeding of the 4000. But what makes it different than the feeding of the 5000 earlier in the same chapter? For those of us who are Gentiles, it should be very comforting.

Passage: Matthew 15:29-6:4 Intro: There are so many wonderful things about the Word of God. 1. but essentially, it reveals the heart of God, who God is. 2. and the greatest revelation of His heart is seen in the actions and attitudes of His Son Jesus PP Hebrews 1:3 3. in this ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Building On The Right Foundation

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Jan 21, 2010

It's not necessarily how we build, but how we start that counts. We can build a great building, but if it is on the wrong foundation...trouble!

Passage: Matthew 7:24-29 Intro: Story of the Quimpers on the banks of the river, in Michener’s book “Texas” 1. the Sermon on the Mount has been full of images. PP very fast: paths, roads, gates, wolves and sheep, salt, light, trees… 2. but there is a final ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:24-29

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Defining Real Faith

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Jan 21, 2010

Everyone wants to tell us what real faith looks like. But what does the Bible say?

Passage: Matthew 8:1-13 Intro: We make it so complex, this thing we call the Christian life. 1. we come up with all kinds of plans for success, the TV guys tell us that if we do A and B we will get the reward of C. 2. we have secrets, power plans, ways to make the hand of God move for our ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Don't You Want To Be Like Him?

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Feb 4, 2010

This little story is full of the tender, merciful heart of God as expressed through the actions of Jesus.

Passage: Matthew 8:14-17 Intro: When I saw this little passage coming, I wondered if I should just skip it. 1. not much going on, minor healings without any dialogue. 2. but what a mistake that would have been, because this passage reveals some really beautiful things about Jesus. 3. and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:14-17

Denomination: Evangelical Free

"Follow Me"

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Feb 4, 2010

It’s simple,really. Jesus calls us to follow Him. Let’s see what that means.

Passage: Matthew 8:18-22 Intro: As a kid growing up in the church, there were certain songs that seemed dishonest for me to sing. Here was one: 1) “Earthly pleasures vainly call me, I would be like Jesus. Nothing worldly shall enthrall me, I would be like Jesus. Be like Jesus, this my song, in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:18-22

Denomination: Evangelical Free