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Go Learn What This Means Approaching, Appreciating, and Applying the Message and Mission of God 1. Observation — What did God say? 2. Interpretation — What did God mean? 3. Application — How must this change me? 4. Communication — How do I share and show it faithfully? 5. Edification — How does this build up the body? 6. Evangelization — How does this point lost people to Jesus? 7. Glorification — How does this bring honor to God? This teaching centers on Jesus' call to understand the deeper meaning of 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice' from Hosea 6:6, emphasizing that true faith involves not just ritual observance but a transformative, merciful love that glorifies God and blesses others. It unfolds a practical, seven-step process of biblical engagement—observation, interpretation, application, communication, edification, evangelization, and glorification—rooted in the conviction that Scripture must shape not only belief but daily life and witness. The message underscores that genuine knowledge of God transcends mere information, leading to a life marked by loyal, enduring love that serves others while exalting God. This approach fosters spiritual renewal, authentic community, and effective evangelism, all ultimately directed toward the glorification of God. The message calls believers to internalize Scripture not for self-achievement, but to become living extensions of God's mercy and righteousness in a broken world. Mercy That Learns, Lives, Loves, and Glorifies God Let's Not Miss What Jesus Repeats Church, listen to me for just a moment. Anytime Jesus highlights something once, it is worth following. But when Jesus says it twice, we better slow down, bow our heart

With Him — Not Just Around Him Teaching Summary This message centers on the transformative power of faith rooted in the unshakable promises of God, drawing from 1 Peter 1:3–9 and key passages in Matthew to emphasize that genuine faith, though tested by trials, produces a joy that is inexpressible and full of glory. It underscores that true discipleship involves being not merely present with Christ but actively united to Him through faith, which is cultivated by hearing and obeying His Word, not by human effort or understanding. The preacher warns against the danger of being 'with' Christ yet not truly 'with' Him—operating in fear, doubt, and misunderstanding due to misplaced focus on earthly needs rather than divine purpose—illustrating this through the disciples' failure to grasp Jesus' teaching about the leaven of the Pharisees. The solution is a life of surrender, where believers seek first the kingdom of God, trusting that He will provide for all needs, thereby experiencing peace, spiritual growth, and a deepening love for Christ that grows sweeter with time. Ultimately, the message calls for a daily yoking to Jesus, where faith, obedience, and reliance on His grace lead to a life marked by joy, clarity, and divine intimacy. Main Truth: 1 Peter 1:3–9; Matthew 6:30–33; Matthew 8:23–27; Matthew 14:27–31; Matthew 16:5–12; Matthew 11:28–30 Central Truth: A believer is not called merely to be around Jesus, but to walk with Jesus by faith. Little faith produces doubt, fear, worry, and misunderstanding, but growing faith rejoices in Christ, trusts His Word, receives His correction, and rests under His yoke. Key Statement: Do not just be with Him outwardly and miss Him i

Beware of Little Faith and Leaven Guarding the Heart from Legalism, Liberalism, and Loose Living This sermon centers on Jesus' warning to His disciples about the 'leaven' of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herod—symbolizing hypocrisy, legalism, liberalism, and worldly compromise—each representing spiritual influences that distort truth and hinder genuine faith. Drawing from Matthew 16 and related passages, it emphasizes that true faith is not defined by outward conformity, religious tradition, or personal convenience, but by authentic trust in Christ, rooted in His Word and demonstrated through obedience. The message underscores that hypocrisy, whether in rigid legalism or careless liberalism, is marked by a disconnect between outward appearance and inward reality, and that such influences, though subtle, can permeate and corrupt the whole life of a believer. Ultimately, the call is to reject all counterfeit forms of spirituality, to walk humbly with Christ, and to allow His truth to transform us so that we may be genuine, Spirit-led witnesses in a world that resists correction but longs for salvation. Matthew 16, Matthew 15, Luke 12, and Mark 8 With Him, But Not Always With Him All right, look with me in Matthew 16. Matthew 16. And speaking of that number sixteen, it is worth noticing that Matthew records Jesus using that word hypocrite or dealing with hypocrisy again and again in connection with the Pharisees. Matthew especially draws out how Jesus confronted religious stage-playing, religious pretending, religious acting, and religious influence that looked right on the outside but was corrupt on the inside. And we see it right here in Matthew 16. "Then the Phari

See — I've Told You Beforehand The word centers on the imperative of prioritizing a personal relationship with Jesus above all else, emphasizing that true blessing and clarity come not from seeking God's will apart from His presence, but from abiding in Him through faith, obedience, and continual pursuit of His face. Drawing from Matthew 25 and Romans 8:28–30, it teaches that God works all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose, ultimately conforming believers to the image of Christ. The message underscores that spiritual discernment—seeing God's hand in daily labor, family, and the church—requires walking in His ways, fearing Him, and remaining connected to Him, for only then does He manifest Himself and reveal His goodness. The preacher warns against spiritual distraction, frustration, and the danger of missing God's work by focusing on outcomes without abiding in the Source, urging the congregation to seek Jesus above all, especially in confusion, weariness, or doubt, as His presence brings rest, joy, and divine clarity. Ultimately, the life of faith is one of continual communion, where the joy of the Lord becomes strength, and every trial is transformed into a testimony of His faithfulness. Matthew 24–25, Romans 8, Psalm 128, and John 14 All right, church—where are y'all tonight? Open that Bible with me if you would. We're in Matthew's Gospel, chapter 25, but before we step into 25, we've got to remember what Jesus already said in Matthew 24. And here's the phrase that keeps ringing in my heart: "See—I have told you beforehand." Jesus didn't say, "Figure it out later." He didn't say, "Guess when it happens." He said, "

The Sign of The Son of Man The sermon centers on the biblical promise of Christ's return, emphasizing that His second coming—foreshadowed in Daniel's vision of the Son of Man—will be sudden, visible, and triumphant, fulfilling the redemptive work He began in His life, death, resurrection, and ascension. Drawing from Matthew 24 and Daniel 7, it underscores that Jesus, as the Son of Man, is the divine representative who humbled Himself, was exalted by the Father, and now reigns with eternal authority, making all things subject to Him until He delivers the kingdom back to the Father. The message calls believers to live in faithful anticipation, not in fear, but in joyful submission, recognizing that true life is found in being made subject to Christ through faith, which transforms enemies into advocates. It also highlights the urgency of the gospel, warning that while grace is available now, the day of His return will bring judgment for those who have rejected Him, and thus calls for personal surrender and mission-driven living. Ultimately, the sermon affirms that Christ's victory over death ensures the resurrection of believers, and that the believer's hope is anchored in His faithfulness, making the fear of missing out on God's work the highest form of spiritual longing. THE SIGN OF THE SON OF MAN Matthew 24:25–31 (with Daniel 7; Philippians 2; 1 Corinthians 15; Revelation 19) Good morning, everybody. Good to see you. Good to see you. Won't you take the Bible that you brought with you—your sweet chest of precious gold—your treasure chest—and turn with me to the Gospel of Matthew, chapter number 24. Matthew 24. Now church, He kept telling them—He wants us to be ready,

Who's Writing Your Story? The message unfolds a profound theological narrative centered on God's redemptive sovereignty, illustrated through the story of Ruth and the broader biblical arc from Lot to the Messiah. It emphasizes God's perfect, permissive, providential, and prescriptive will, showing how He sovereignly has written, reorders, and orchestrates even human failure and foreign origins—such as Ruth's Moabite heritage—into His redemptive plan. Despite the law's exclusion of Moabites, divine grace transcends legalistic boundaries, using Ruth's loyalty, submission, and faith to place her in the lineage of David and ultimately Jesus. The contrast between Moab's unrefined, unchanged state and God's transformative work in His people highlights the reality of spiritual renewal through Christ, as seen in the believer's new identity in 2 Corinthians. The message culminates in a powerful affirmation of grace: God does not change the world by force, but by redeeming individuals from within, transforming their taste and scent, and glorifying Himself through the unmerited favor of salvation. A Redemption Written Before the First Day Let's Step Into Truth Amen. Well look—let's jump into truth tonight. I want us to slow down and see something familiar, but see it through the lens of redemption. When you read Scripture carefully, you start realizing this Book isn't a collection of disconnected stories. It's one story—God's story—written with purpose, precision, and grace. Matthew opens that way, doesn't it? Not with miracles. Not with sermons. But with DNA. Names. Generations. Stories that don't look clean on the surface—yet are holy in design. And the question before us

"What is Truth?" The setting can be found in Matthew 27 and John 18-19. In this teaching we used John's account to unfold the profound truth that Jesus is the ultimate embodiment of divine truth, whose kingdom operates not through earthly power but through sacrificial love and divine sovereignty. Drawing from John 18, it emphasizes that Pilate's question, 'What is truth?' reveals humanity's inability to grasp spiritual reality apart from being born again—only those who are of the truth can hear Christ's voice. The message unfolds through the lens of Romans, highlighting that salvation is not earned but granted through God's predetermined purpose, where Jesus, though unjustly condemned, bore the sins of humanity, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies in Isaiah and establishing justice through His suffering. The sermon underscores that true sanctification comes by the truth, as believers are transformed daily by the Spirit, living not according to the world's values but in alignment with Christ's eternal kingdom, which is both spiritual and victorious. Ultimately, it calls listeners to recognize Jesus not as a political figure but as the divine King whose truth sets free, whose sacrifice justifies, and whose presence empowers believers to live in faithful obedience and hope. WHAT IS TRUTH? Standing Face-to-Face with Truth — Matthew 27 & John 18 Opening — Setting the Heart Amen. Anybody got a praise report tonight? Anything good you want to give away? The Scripture tells us to think on those things which are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. And when you start thinking on those things, you'll find yourself standing right where we're about to stand toni

HE WILL GATHER, WHO HE GAVE The clear insights found in John's gospel can be clearly seen in both John and Matthew message (Matthew 25 and 26). This message centers on the divine orchestration of salvation, emphasizing God's sovereign act of giving—both the Father giving people to the Son and the Son giving eternal life to them—throughout Scripture, particularly in John 17. It highlights how this giving is not a mere theological abstraction but a living reality woven into history, from the Old Testament's prophetic foreshadowing in Jeremiah and Caiaphas's unwitting prophecy, to the cross where Jesus, as the second Adam, fulfilled God's purpose by dying for the children of God scattered across time. The preacher underscores that God's plan, though obscured by human ignorance and resistance—seen in figures like Pilate and Caiaphas—was always designed to gather all believers into one body, reconciling them through Christ's propitiation and glorifying them through His resurrection. The message calls believers to recognize their identity as part of God's eternal family business, inherited through grace, and to live as witnesses to the truth that Jesus is the only way, the only propitiation, and the only hope for all who are given to Him. Truth: John 17; John 11:47–52; John 18:12–14; John 10; John 12:23–26; Hebrews 2; 1 Corinthians 2; Acts 2–4; Matthew 25–26 "ALL RIGHT, WELL, LET'S GET IN IT…" All right, well, let's get in it. Amen. Any news? Anything? Anything? Anything struck you as you've been walking through these last couple days—John 17, 18, 19—or you can be anywhere else. Y'all know how we do. It don't have to be in John. We just want to hear what God's been dealing

WHAT HE SAID VS. WHAT GOD SAID The insight found in John's message helps us crossover to Matthew 26 and center on the paradox of divine purpose revealed through human ignorance, exemplified by Caiaphas's unwitting prophecy that Jesus would die for the nation—misunderstood by him as a political sacrifice to preserve Jewish autonomy, yet fulfilled by God as a redemptive act for all believers, both Jew and Gentile. Through the lens of John's Gospel, it emphasizes that Jesus' death was not merely a historical event but the fulfillment of God's eternal plan to gather the scattered children of God into one spiritual family. The message underscores the necessity of self-denial, as Jesus' own life was surrendered to fulfill the Father's will, and believers are called to follow by losing their lives in obedience to Christ, thereby producing lasting spiritual fruit. The Holy Spirit, described as the Comforter and the embodiment of Christ's presence, empowers this transformation, enabling believers to participate in God's redemptive work even when unaware of their role. Ultimately, the sermon calls the audience to recognize that true life is found not in self-preservation but in surrender to Christ, where personal sacrifice becomes the means of eternal fruitfulness and divine glory. The Paradox of Divine Purpose Through Human Ignorance John 11:47–52 | John 12 | John 10 | John 14–16 | Philippians 2 TWO VIEWS OF THE SAME WORD Church, there is a sobering reality we must face right from the start: What man sees and what God sees are often not the same thing. What man says and what God is saying through it are not always aligned. We're going to stand at the crossroads of John's Go

Why We Often Fail to See Him The message centers on the spiritual danger of allowing worldly influences—symbolized by the 'leaven' of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herod—to shape one's thinking, even among those who have witnessed miracles. Drawing from Matthew 16, it emphasizes that Jesus' warning was not about physical bread but about the corrupting influence of religious hypocrisy, legalism, and worldly compromise that distort truth and hinder faith. The disciples, despite having seen supernatural provision, still operated in natural reasoning, revealing their lack of spiritual discernment and failure to grasp the eternal significance of Jesus' teachings. The message underscores that true faith is not based on logic or past experiences but on continual, obedient trust in Christ, which produces the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, and righteousness—especially under pressure. Ultimately, the sermon calls believers to remain rooted in the Spirit, abiding in Christ, so that His presence and power are manifest in their lives, and to discern truth through Scripture illuminated by the Holy Spirit, not by the shifting standards of the world. Why We Often Fail to See Him A Revival-Style Sermon from Matthew 16 Amen and amen. If you've got your Bible tonight, take it and turn with me to Matthew chapter 16. Matthew chapter 16. Now Brother Shandy said chapter 16 earlier, and I opened my Bible—and it just jumped off the page at me. And I'll tell you why. Because a lot of times, church, we think God is only concerned with material things, when in reality He's doing something far deeper and far more spiritual than we often recognize. We think about bread… And He's talking a

Glory, glory. All right, well, let's jump in the word then. We are up to what, chapter 14 in Matthew, but we can be anywhere. Anywhere. I tell you, when you read these things and you follow up and you go read them somewhere else in another gospel or another place, it brings up Jonah and Nineveh and different things. You go look and you look at this and look at that. You start piling up. or writing notes, or typing out notes. I do a lot of notes on my phone these days, and I've got so many notes in my Bible, sometimes I forget to translate some of that over into my phone as well. But I'm trying, I'm trying. I'm trying to get it all captured as much as I can. Maybe they'll be usable to somebody someday. down the road, or even today, I do what I do for today, but I want it to last forever, amen? I want it to count for something, but anything, anything. Matthew 13, dealing with these parables, that Jesus used parables when he spoke to those that couldn't see or hear or understand. Like I said, Matthew chapter 12 is gonna deal with some great truths in there that really speak to us. Matthew 11. All these, anything, anything that really just blessed you. 1128, 1128, come to me. Mm-hmm. On this side of heaven, having rest is the best or the closest thing we can get to heaven. Well, it is definitely a heavenly gift that he's talking about here because he's talking about not as much as a physical rest, but a rest for your soul is what he's talking about, right? Come to me and I'll give you rest. Because he's talking about taking up an assignment, taking up a yoke. A yoke was work. That was something that you put on a beast of burden to do a job, to do a job that was a difficult j

Christ's Cost of Followship The message centers on the radical cost of followship, emphasizing that true followship requires total allegiance, not merely nominal belief. It highlights Jesus' repeated insistence that no one can be His disciple without hating family, self, and worldly attachments—not out of hatred, but as a call to supreme loyalty, illustrated through His demand to 'take up the cross' and follow Him. The message underscores that genuine discipleship is marked by a transformed heart, born again through divine revelation, not human effort, and that this transformation is revealed in one's willingness to forsake all for Christ's sake and His kingdom message. The preacher warns against a diluted, cultural Christianity that equates being a 'Christian' with mere religious identity, contrasting it with the biblical call to be a disciple—someone whose life is defined by Christ's mission, even at great personal cost. Ultimately, the sermon calls believers to a life of radical obedience, where loyalty to Jesus supersedes all earthly ties, and where the gospel's truth is lived out with courage, even in the face of persecution or societal rejection. "What Will a Man Give in Exchange for His Soul?" Opening Exhortation — A Seeking People Amen. Amen. Before we jump into the text tonight, I want to ask you the same question I always ask— What has the Lord been showing you as you've been walking through His Word? It doesn't have to be where everybody else is reading. Growth happens when we talk about what God is showing us. If you don't talk about it—if you don't ponder it, pray it, work it—you won't keep it. It'll slip away from you. The Lord prompts us for a reason

Moved With Compassion The sermon centers on Jesus as the compassionate Shepherd who came not only to save His people from their sins but to govern, guide, and guard them through His presence, teachings, and healing power. Drawing from Matthew 1:21, 2:6, and 9:35–36, it emphasizes that Jesus' mission was to bring the gospel of the kingdom, heal every sickness, and move with deep compassion toward those who are weary and scattered like sheep without a shepherd. The preacher underscores the believer's responsibility to reflect Christ's character by being truth-ready, righteousness-ready, and gospel-ready—equipped with spiritual armor to stand firm in a world of deception and spiritual warfare. Ultimately, the message calls the church to be everyday missionaries, living out generosity, compassion, and faith, so that others may see Christ's work in their lives and be drawn to Him, not through judgment, but through the transformative power of His grace. Matthew 9:35–38; Matthew 1–2; Matthew 11 Well, thank You, Jesus. Amen and amen. If you've got your Bible this morning—your treasure chest, amen—the Word you've been searching, seeking, and loving on—turn with me to the Gospel of Matthew. We're up to Matthew chapter 11, but we're gonna let Scripture interpret Scripture, and we're gonna let Jesus tell us why He came and what He's still doing today. And before we go anywhere—let me say this—I'm insufficient to do what I get to do. I need Jesus' help. And I need you praying with me and for me. Amen? But oh my goodness… it is rich. It is good. It is good. We've walked through this Gospel a dozen times or more over the years—and I'll tell you—you never get to the bottom of it. T

Unprepared and Uprooted The teaching centers on the enduring contrast between the righteous and the wicked, rooted in divine planting and spiritual foundation, drawing from Proverbs 12 and Jesus' teaching in Matthew 15. It emphasizes that true stability and life come only from being planted by God, as opposed to self-reliant or worldly foundations, which will ultimately be uprooted. The message underscores the necessity of personal faith and obedience, warning against relying on human testimony or tradition rather than a direct, personal relationship with God. Through vivid imagery of eternal torment and the final judgment, it calls listeners to accountability, urging them to examine their hearts and ensure they are rooted in Christ, not in the fleeting promises of this world. The tone is both urgent and pastoral, combining conviction with hope, as it points to Jesus as the only source of lasting light and life. Planted by the Lord or Pulled from the Ground (Matthew 15:13; Proverbs 12:3) A Wisdom Contrast That Demands Attention As we walk through the book of Proverbs, one thing becomes unmistakably clear: God teaches by contrast. Again and again, Proverbs places two paths side by side—the righteous and the wicked, the wise and the foolish, the established and the unstable. These contrasts are not given merely for information; they are given for examination. Life and light go together. Darkness and death go together. This is why Scripture repeatedly calls us not only to hear, but to listen—to hear with the intent to obey. In Proverbs 12, we are reminded that loving instruction leads to knowledge, while rejecting correction leads to brutishness—spiritual dullness and

"LET GOD BE TRUE" The message centers on the radical followship demanded by Jesus, emphasizing that true followers must take up their cross, die to self, and unashamedly confess Christ, even at the cost of relational or societal conflict. It underscores that Jesus' mission was not to bring earthly peace but a spiritual sword that divides, exposing the world's sin and calling for repentance, as seen in the examples of Noah and the apostolic witness. The teaching warns against compromising the gospel—such as denying eternal judgment or annihilationism—arguing that such views distort God's character and undermine the necessity of Christ's atoning sacrifice. Rooted in Scripture, especially Romans 3, the message affirms that God remains true even when humanity is a liar, and believers must stand on the unchanging truth of Scripture rather than human reasoning. Ultimately, the believer's calling is revealed through abiding in Christ, seeking His will, and allowing the Spirit to guide and authenticate one's purpose, resulting in a life marked by faithful witness and transformation. Seeing the Worthiness of Jesus and Trusting His Truth Above All Others Father, we bless You today. Thank You that we can come boldly to the throne of grace— not casually, not flippantly—but confidently, because You invited us. We cast our cares upon You because You care for us. We gather today to seek Your face, to rest in Your grace, to labor in Your work, and to walk in Your yoke. Lord Jesus, You have shown us how to love, how to lead, how to lay our lives down. So today we ask You—live Your life in us, live Your life through us, and live Your life beyond us. Teach us what You would have us to