In Matthew 13:31-33; 44-52, Jesus tells a pair of parables about a mustard seed and leaven and a treasure and a pearl. David Jansson, a guest from Radiant Church in Visalia, teaches us in this message that the Kingdom of God is a treasure worth joyfully going all in on and like a seed, something that starts small but miraculously has enormous impact. (The audio starts just a few seconds into his sermon, sorry!).
In Matthew 13 Jesus gives a sermon using parables, short stories with a moral to them. In verses 10-17, we see Jesus quote a passage from the book of Isaiah which effectively communicates to the audience that his use of parables is the most impactful way to help his audience hear and see the mysteries of the Kingdom. In this message, Noel goes on to share his own story and invites the listener into the story God is writing over their own lives and over the life of Exeter Valley Church.
Glenn Power, a friend from Radiant Church in Visalia, teaches on a parable in Matthew Chapter 13:24-30 & 36-43. In this parable, Jesus says the Kingdom of Heaven is like a harvest of wheat in a field full of weeds. Glenn shows us how Jesus’s teaching relates to our own salvation, evil in the world around us, and the reality of eternal judgment.
In Matthew 12:38-50 Jesus responds to the Pharisee’s request for a sign proving his divinity. In detailing his response, Matthew points us to what Jesus calls The Sign of Jonah, a parable about a haunted house, and a short interaction between Jesus and some family members. In these 3 stories, we see a common theme: Jesus is God’s Sign. In his life, death, and resurrection we have all the proof we need. The key is our response. Will we make Jesus our Lord? By Noel Piepgrass
In Matthew 12:22-37, Jesus engages the Pharisees in a controversy about his healing of a demon-possessed, deaf and mute man. Threatened by Jesus, the Pharisees claim he’s healing by the power of Satan. In this passage Jesus warns against blasphemy of the Holy Spirit and tells a parable about our hearts being like a tree that produces fruit. By Noel Piepgrass
In Matthew 12:15-21, Jesus has just withdrawn from the Pharisees after a controversy over the Sabbath. In this passage, we see his response to injustice and look forward in hope to his second coming when all injustice will be conquered. By Noel Piepgrass
In Matthew 12:1-14, we see Jesus encounter the Pharisees again, this time because of controversy over His disciples’ observance of the Sabbath. As Mike Young teaches us here, Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath and the whole point of the sabbath is our good.
In Matthew 11:20-30, we take a look at a couple of Matthew’s portraits of Jesus. Noel Piepgrass gives us a look at Judge Jesus and the Son who Saves by calling the weary and burdened to rest in himself.
In Matthew 11:1-19, John the Baptist sends his disciples to Jesus to ask him if he really is the Messiah. In this message, Noel Piepgrass identifies with the doubts of John and explains how Jesus answers them with both grace and gospel evidence. In his response, we see Jesus give a credible defense that points to his Messiahship.
In Matthew 10:40-42, Jesus wraps up his sermon on mission with a specific word to those who receive other Christians. In this teaching, Noel Piepgrass explains that to receive a Christian brother or sister on mission is the same as receiving Jesus himself or even God the Father.