Sermons on Toby Mac:

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

Going Deeper

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Aug 17, 2010

It is our tendency to be satisfied with shallow answers to rather complex questions. We pop a pill instead of finding the root cause. But Jesus takes us deeper.

Passage: Matthew 16:5-12 Intro: It is very common for us to be satisfied with shallow answers to deep questions. 1. got a headache, take an aspirin. 2. can’t sleep, take a pill. 3. this is especially true of God’s revelation to us. 4. because it is spiritual in nature, something ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:5-12

Denomination: Evangelical Free

An Amazing Confession Of Faith

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Aug 17, 2010

This is a very controversial passage, and is the basis for a debate that has raged between Catholics and Protestants for many years. Let's see what Jesus was talking about when He referred to the person and the event as "the rock."

Passage: Matthew 16:13-21 Intro: We are looking at a passage today that has sparked huge controversy among believers. 1. and in fact, it is the interpretation of this passage that essentially separates Catholics from Protestants. 2. (by the way, protestant means “for the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-21

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Peter Falls On His Face

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Aug 17, 2010

Right after an astounding and historical confession of faith, here we find Peter arguing with Jesus. And the source of the problem was predictable, since Peter was a human being stuck in the physical and being led into the spiritual realm. Self-interests

Passage: Matthew 16:21-28 Intro: Peter must have been feeling pretty good! 1. just made the first confession of faith in Jesus as Promised Messiah and the Son of God. 2. great enthusiasm from Jesus, “go to the head of the class!” 3. and then, a few minutes later, everything has changed. 4. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28

Denomination: Evangelical Free

God's Revelational Plan

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Aug 17, 2010

God has a plan, and He is working that plan. The transfiguration was part of that plan, and it is a great example of how God works, and His purpose.

Passage: Matthew 17:1-13 Intro: We have been watching God construct a building. 1. brick by brick, plank and beam, God has been building a revelational framework that is taking clear shape in front of us. 2. the miraculous birth of Christ, the words of Christ, the actions and attitudes of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Defining Faith

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Aug 17, 2010

We have defined faith in many different ways, but it is really quite clear. Here is an example of faith that comes from God, and faith that comes from ourself.

Passage: Matthew 17:14-23 Intro: Something has been going on for years on the Arizona-Nevada border. PP early bridge picture. 1. bridge to replace having to drive on 2 lane road over Hoover Dam at like 15 mph. 2. they are connecting two sides of the Colorado River by a bridge. 3. use ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:14-23

Denomination: Evangelical Free