This week we consider one of the strongest personal rebukes Jesus gives.  But it is not given out of anger, but love.  Sometimes the love of God is confusing, because God's love is focused on what we need, not what we want. If we realize where God's love is focused, it can make many things much clearer in our lives.  Sermon Notes & Encounter Group Guide

Matthew 16:21-22  From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.  Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!" 

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN: The Cross of Christ - A confusing love - 2/21/16

As we begin the season of Lent - 40 days before Easter - we turn to consider the deep love of God.  Jesus teaches about this love as he prepares his disciples for his coming death.  We love because God first loved us, and this love is seen in the Cross of Christ.    Sermon Notes & Encounter Group Guide

Matthew 16-13-21

Click Here to Listen: The Cross of Christ - Love of God - 2/14/16

In this message we consider the final time Jesus directly teaches about the Kingdom of Heaven in the Gospel of Matthew.  But rather than say, "it is like" he changes and says "it will be like."  What does he think we should know about what His Kingdom will be like?  Sermon Notes and Encounter Guide

"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom..." Matthew 25:1  

AUDIO FILE: Waiting and Working - 2/7/16

There are hard teachings in the Bible.  Jesus talks about a great welcome, but also the reality of judgment.  Before listening to this message on the new Way of Jesus, take time to read Matthew 22:1-14.  

Sermon Notes & Encounter Group Guide

"Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: 'The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come...'"

AUDIO FILE: The Great Banquet - 1/31/16

If you have kids, you have heard the phrase, "That's not fair."  Well, the Father of all has heard it more than we can imagine.  Where do we come up with our ideas of fairness, and why are they sometimes different than God's? Sermon Notes & Encounter Guide  Jesus tells a great story of some works who were sure things were not fair, and he uses the story to help understand The Upside Down, Unpredictable and Surprisingly Awesom Kingdom of Heaven.

"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire men to work..."  Matthew 20:1 

AUDIO FILE: That's Not Fair - 1/24/16

Some people don't make forgiving them easy.  Unfortately this sermon was not successfully recorded (please forgive us), but take time to read and reflect on Jesus' message in Matthew 18:15-35.  He deals with the two sides of people who are a challenge to deal with when it comes to forgiveness.  On one side are those who don't see or won't admit their error, and on the other, those who see it, but keep making it time and time again.    Notes & Encounter Guide

To fill in the blanks on the notes: Deal with it!  Forgive like God forgives.  A life marked by forgiveness is Freedom

God takes small things and does the unexpected in a very complex world.  The Kingdom of Heaven is like... Sermon Notes for January 10

AUDIO FILE: God's Kingdom works with small things - 1/10/16

Jesus spent a great deal of time talking about a new kingdom which is happening in the world.  Using stories and illustrations he helps us understand how the world truly works, our place in it, and what God is doing in the messy parts of life.  One of those places which can become unexpectedly messy is church.  Why don't things go smoothly within churches if they are God's idea in the first place?  Some of Jesus teachings shed light on what people experience as they gather together to seek and serve Godl. (NOTES)

Matthew 13:1-3  Later that same day Jesus left the house and sat beside the lake.   A large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat. Then he sat there and taught as the people stood on the shore.   He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one:"Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. 

AUDIO FILE: Seeds & Weeds - 1/3/16

What does the love of God look like and why does it matter?  The motivation of God, the whole of God is love. 

Jesus claims that one who is greater than the greatest thing we know on earth is here, it is Jesus himself.  This new force based on Love and Mercy makes all the difference in the world.  Hear about the love of God which brings the joy of Christmas as we are motivated by love not law.

Matthew 12 - I desire mercy not sacrifice.  Sermon Notes

AUDIO FILE: A New Love - 12/13

Doubt is part of belief.  One of Jesus' trusted allies begins to wonder, "Is Jesus the One?"  Well, is Jesus the One, and what does that give us in life?  

Listen and hear a moment of doubt which can build your faith.

Matthew 1:1-11

AUDIO FILE: A New Hope - 12/6

What is going on?  Jesus has a funny way of giving us just what we need - but often we don't recognize it.  When we are in the middle of the hard times, the unclear future, and unexpected challenges it can feel like God has lost control, or that God doesn't love us very much.  However, God is doing amazing things in the world and in your life - cling to God in faith and see where the journey ends.  

The call of Jesus in Matthew 10, and the adventures of the Pilgrims of 1620 can help us prepare for any future which might come. 

AUDIO FILE: Squanto and the Pilgrims - 11-29

When we watch the news, hear about terror, think about the problems of the world, it can be overwhelming.  What is the answer?  And to answer that, we need to think about what the real problem is.  There are bombs, bullets and bad guys who are very active in the world - how do we find hope, peace and joy?  This message examines the power of Jesus over the fundamental problem.  Sermon Notes & Encounter Group Notes.

Matthew 9:2-13

AUDIO FILE: Power over the Problem - 11-22

Clearly Jesus is above average or the world wouldn't be talking about him 2000 years later.  But just how special is Jesus?  How much power did Jesus have, and what about today?  Is believing in Jesus an irrational step into superstition, or a rational choice into something better?  These are the questions tackling in this message from Sunday, Nov 15.  Sermon Notes & Encounter Group Guide

Matthew 8:27  The men were amazed and asked, "Who is this man that even the winds and the waves obey him!" 

AUDIO FILE: Who is this man? 11/15

Rev. David Jones from Greenbush Reformed Church encourages us with a message from Matthew chapter 8.  So many different people came to Jesus, including those who were viewed as the enemy.  How does Jesus respond and what do we learn?  Sermon Notes & Encounter Guide. 

AUDIO FILE: Surprise - Rev. David Jones 11/8

The Sermon on the Mount is an amazing teaching from Jesus.  In reading Matthew chapter 7 you discover one amazing gem of wisdom after another.  Unfortunately there is not a recording of the sermon from Nov 1, but take time to read and reflect on this powerful passage.  The choices we make and who we listen to is literally the difference between life and death.   Sermon Notes & Encounter Group Guide

"Do not worry!"  This is a command of Jesus, but one we often ignore.  What do you worry about, and what do you need to turn over to God's care?  Sermon Notes & Encounter Group Guide

Matthew 6:25   "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat..." 

AUDIO FILE: Sermon - Do Not Worry - 10/25

Why do you do what you do?  In this message we go deeper on the matter of character - because Character Matters - and Jesus says that motive is a big part of character.  Sermon Notes & Encounter Group Guide 

Matthew 6:1  "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." 

AUDIO FILE: A Matter of Motive - 10/18

In this message we look at a passage where Jesus takes things to the next level.  Not necessarily a higher level, but actually a deeper level.  A level which drives right to our hearts - the place where God works best.  Sermon Notes & Encounter Guide  

For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:20

AUDIO FILE: Sermon - Character Matters 10/11

I have been told that microwave ovens don't actually cook from the inside out, but God clearly does His work from the inside out.  Matthew chapter 5 is the start of Jesus' teachings, and this week we will see how what's on the inside matters most to God.  What is God looking for in your heart?  When we start right, by recognizing we are the beggars in need, it can set off a chain reaction.  In the sermon there is a video to watch, you can see it here:  Chain Reaction

Sermon Notes & Encounter Guide

Matthew 5:3 - Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

AUDIO FILE: Sermon on the Mount - 10/04

I've heard character described as how you act when you think no one is watching, but that doesn't really cut it in my mind.  Character is what spills out when you are pressed, bumped, or heated up by the stuff of life.  Who you are at the core matters, because eventually it comes out. Let us start with Jesus' character which was tested and can guide us in life.  Encounter Group Notes

Character Matters - Matthew 4:1-11

Audio File: Character Formation - 9/27