Equipping Hour (9a.m.)

We are continuing our study called Thirsty? which is about having a passionate pursuit of God. For a couple more weeks, we’ll be exploring this idea of how God does and does not speak to us today. Click here for the most recent 1-page overviews of these studies.

Service (10:30 a.m.)

• Announcements:
  • Shannon Vann and Megan Barfield are celebrating birthdays this week. Happy Birthday!
  • Please take a look at the cleaning schedule and consider taking a turn at helping us keep our facility clean.
  • Special Thanks to the Tomlins and Deasons for hosting our first ever baptism and fish fry yesterday (August 7). Your hospitality and generosity was a blessing to all!
  • Mom’s Time is moving to Mondays. Still from 9:30-11:30 a.m. but now on Mondays.
• Songs (click on links to listen/watch):
  • Forever
  • How Beautiful the Cross
  • The Wonderful Cross
  • Hungry
• Message by Shaun LePage: Who Is Jesus (An overview of the Gospel of Matthew)! (Listen on the CBC Podcast):

I. Introduction

A. What goes through your mind when you hear the name: Jesus Christ? Perhaps you think of a hippie-like pacifist. Perhaps one of many actors who has portrayed Jesus—usually with blue eyes and a British accent. Perhaps you remember the last time you heard “Jesus Christ” used as a curse word.

B. What about the people you know? Who is the Jesus they know? Have they invented a palatable Jesus they can live with? A Jesus who is content to be a minor part of their lives? Is their Jesus more defined by their own traditions or opinions than by the Bible? Someone has said that our task with many people is to introduce Jesus. But, for many others, the task is to reintroduce Him to those who think they know Him.

C. Matthew can be extremely helpful—let’s get better acquainted with the first book of NT:

D. 2 Keys to Understanding Matthew:

1. Matthew wrote to Jews (primarily). He quotes or alludes to the Old Testament far more than the other three gospels writers. Over and over he tells us Jesus “fulfilled”  prophecies about Messiah (Christ).

2. Matthew wrote to defend. He had a mission: introduce people to the real Jesus. He was answering the question, “Who is Jesus?”. There were then—as there are now—many false notions about Jesus: Wasn’t He a bastard child? He couldn’t be Messiah—He was from Galilee! He didn’t rise from the dead—His body was stolen. Matthew wrote to set the record straight.

II. An Overview of The Gospel of Matthew: Who is Jesus? Matthew 16:13-17 was a monumental moment. Jesus asked, “Who do people say that I am?” Then he asked, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter got it right: “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!” Yes, there is a right answer! It is not acceptable to define Him however we want! Jesus made this clear when He said, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.”

A. In the first eleven chapters, Jesus claimed to be the Messiah and offered the kingdom to Israel. By listing Jesus’ origins and teachings and miracles, Matthew demonstrated that He actually was the Messiah.

B.  In chapters 12-27, Jesus’ offer was rejected. Most of His own people rejected Him as King and Messiah. This, of course, led to the Cross. Matthew explained that Christ’s enemies—the Jewish leaders—rejected Him, but they were wrong to do so. He showed how Jesus prepared the few who did believe for His departure. They would serve as His witnesses. Then, of course, Matthew described the official rejection—the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

C.  In the final chapter of the book (28), Jesus proves Himself by rising from the dead. Then, a massive shift takes place—Jesus sent His followers no longer exclusively to the Jews, but to the Gentiles! He gave them the Great Commission.

III. In a sense, the same choices are ours today:

A. Will you receive Him or reject Him? The Jews were not willing to receive their Messiah as He truly was. They rejected Him. Jesus’ question echoes down through time: Who do you say Jesus is? There is a right answer!

B.  Will you serve Him or ignore Him? His Great Commission is not optional. If you’re a Christian, you’ll either serve Him or ignore Him. Like Matthew, we must do what we can to set the record straight in our time—to reintroduce people to the Jesus of Scripture. Just as Jesus offered Himself to the Jews, we must present Jesus to our world. Many will reject Him—hanging onto foolish notions about Jesus being a hippie, the leader of a mushroom cult, or Mary Magdalene’s husband—but some will receive the truth and believe in the true Christ.