Messages on Gospel of Matthew

Messages on Gospel of Matthew

Sheep vs Goats

Today, on Christ the King Sunday, Pastor Wayne takes us through a profound reflection on the final judgment from Matthew’s Gospel. As we wrap up the church year, we’re reminded of the last moments Jesus spent teaching before his crucifixion. In the past weeks, the scriptures used in worship emphasized the need for preparation, echoing the parable of the bridesmaids and the parable of the talents. Today’s discourse from Matthew 25:31-46 delves into the final judgment when all nations stand…

The Things that Are God’s

The game is afoot. The Pharisees and Herodians are tag teaming to try and get Jesus to trip up and be discredited. They ask a question about taxes. Jesus responds by asking for a coin. He then he asks who is depicted on the coin. The reply, “the emperor.” Jesus responds, “then give to the emperor the things that are the emporer’s, and give to God what is God’s.” That begs the question, what is God’s? Join us as Pastor…

Stiff Necked People

God has had it with “stiff necked” people. When God sees the people convincing Aaron to created a golden calf so that they can worship it, God goes into a rage. But Moses stops God and reminds God of his desire for a relationship with God’s people. He asks, why would you want to destroy your people after you have brought them out of Egypt with “great power and a mighty hand?” And God changed God’s mind. We live in…

Fruits of the Spirit

Today’s text combines a look at the 10 Commandments with the parable of the wicked tenants. It examines the question of what is God wanting from us and how do we respond? Our lessons today are:Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20Psalm 19Philippians 3:4b-14Matthew 21:33-46

Identity Crisis

We welcome Michael Feely, executive director of Mountain Top as our guest speaker this morning. Who do we say Jesus is? Do we show it in our life?

Who Am I?

Moses was hiding out in the wilderness when he encountered a burning bush that was not being consumed by the fire. At this miracle bush, Moses encountered God and received his marching orders to “tell old Pharaoh to let my people go.” Peter had just received high praise from Jesus, “upon this rock I will build my church…” he said. But then when Peter objected to the future that Jesus was describing to the Disciples, he hears “get behind me,…

Shine Like the Sun

On this eighth Sunday after Pentecost we are once again hearing Jesus share a parable about a farmer and crops. This time he’s talking about weeds and productive seeds occupying the same space and he tells us that the Kingdom of Heaven is like this. What? Join us as Pastor Wayne takes a look at this parable. The scriptures this week are Genesis 28:10-19a, Psalm 139, Romans 8:12-25, and Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43.

Seeds in the Dirt

Jesus is telling stories again. In this story, Jesus is telling stories about a farmer sowing seeds. The farmer is God. The dirt? Well, that’s us. Some good dirt. Some bad dirt. Some seeds flourish. Some don’t. We’ve heard it all before. But what about the sower? That sower is pretty extravagant in the way that he spreads those seeds. Join us as Pastor Wayne looks at the sower and the amazing grace that is showered upon us.

Taking a Yoke

What does it mean when Jesus says, “my yoke is easy and my burden is light?” Join us as we explore what it means to be yoked with Jesus.

Quenching A Thirst

What does it mean to offer a cup of cool water to the little ones? This is Jesus providing instruction to the disciples prior to their first mission trip. Our scriptures this week are Romans 6:12-23, Psalm 13, Matthew 10:40-42.  We are all called to live out and live into a radical hospitality. What does that mean for us as individuals? As a congregation? How is McFarland living out radical hospitality now?