Sermons on Matthew
Matthew 6:9-13
We recognize that in evangelism only God can change the heart. If only God can change the heart, then prayer becomes essential for evangelism. We are not seeking merely to put the Word of God before people but also to see their lives transformed by this Word. This, however, is not something we have the strength to effect. Therefore, we must plead with God to bless our evangelism and to change the hearts of sinners sovereignly.
Matthew 13:51-52
In Matthew 13:51-52 Christ gives a mini-parable about scribes in the kingdom. They are those who understand Christ’s words and are able to bring out treasures new and old. The new treasures refer to what Christ has taught. The old treasures refer to what had already been taught, namely, the teachings found in the Old Testament. Many Christians do not see the value of the Old Testament today, but Christ sees the Old Testament as necessary for anyone discipled in…
Matthew 13:47-50
In Matthew 13:47-50 Christ gives the last parable of the kingdom in the chapter. This parable is about the final judgment and leaves the disciples with a message of warning. God will judge the world in righteousness. Heed the warning and turn to Christ.
Matthew 13:44-46
In Matthew 13:44-46, Christ gives the parables of the treasure hidden in the field and the pearl of great price. Though many do not see the treasure and do not find the pearl, those who find them count them as the most valuable things in this world such that losing everything they have for the sake of it cannot take away their joy. Such it is with all who have found the kingdom of God.
Matthew 13:31-33
In Matthew 13:31-33 Christ gives the parables of the mustard seed and leaven. In these parables Christ shows that the growth of the kingdom of God is certain even if it appears to be hidden at times. The kingdom of God will start out small, but it will grow until it fills the entire world. This ought to be a comfort to Christians who increasingly find themselves in a world of unbelief.
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
In Matthew 13:24-30 and 36-43 Christ gives the parable of the wheat and the weeds, showing that there will always be a mixture of the righteous and the wicked until the last day. The great separation will happen at the judgment when Christ sends forth his angels to gather the wheat into the barn but to reserve the weeds for fire. Such is the warning for all Christians, not to presume salvation based on outward membership and not to expect…
Matthew 13:10-17, 34-35
In Matthew 13:10-17 Christ explains why he speaks to the people in parables. The reason he speaks in parables is both to reveal and conceal truth about the kingdom of God. This shows that the knowledge of the kingdom of God is sovereignly given by Christ. He gives it to his disciples by grace and withholds it from others in justice according to the eternal decree. God’s grace is sovereign and therefore unbelief is part of his plan to the…
Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
In Matthew 13:1-9; 18-23 Christ gives the parable of the sower or the parable of the soils. This is the first of the famous kingdom parables from Matthew 13 given in response to the unbelief recorded in chapters 11-12. Here Christ explains that there will be many who do not respond well to the gospel. Some will be deceived by Satan. Some will fall away after persecution. Some will be choked out by the cares of this world and the…
Matthew 12:46-50
In Matthew 12:46-50 Christ’s family comes to see him, however, they come doubting. When told that his family wants to see him, Christ explains that his true family are those who do the will of his Father in heaven are his true family. This is the blessing of the gospel: that though there be many who turn away, those who come to Christ are adopted into the family of God with Christ himself as their elder brother who came to…
Matthew 12:43-45
In Matthew 12:43-45 Christ describes a person who has a demon leave him. The demon leaves the person and goes through the wilderness before returning to the man where he finds everything cleaned but empty. He then takes seven demons worse than himself and inhabits the man again. Such is the state of the man who reforms his life without the power of Christ. Eventually he finds himself in a worse position than where he started.
Matthew 12:38-42
In Matthew 12:38-42 the Pharisees and scribes continue to challenge Christ. This time they challenge Him by requesting a sign from Him. This request comes after Christ has already given innumerable signs to prove who He is. Rather than perform a sign on demand, which He refuses to do, Christ says the only sign that will be given is the sign of Jonah, His resurrection from the dead.
Matthew 12:33-37
In Matthew 12:33-37 Jesus concludes his response to the Pharisees and their accusation against him that he casts out demons by Beelzebub. Christ says that the words a person speaks reveals the contents of their heart. Thus, this blasphemy from the Pharisees reveals the blasphemous character of their hearts. Not only this, but Christ declares that on the last day the true nature of the heart will be revealed by the words a person has spoken.