2 Pillars Church - Sermon Audio

In Acts 16, the Holy Spirit prevents the Apostle Paul from continuing his missionary activity in Asia, instead calling him to preach the gospel in Macedonia. This brings Paul and his fellow travelers to the city of Philippi where they have three encounters in which we see the gospel advance by God’s power, through their faithful proclamation.

Some of the most difficult people to share the gospel with are those who consider themselves to be Christians, but very likely are not. We might call them "religious" or "cultural Christians"—those who believe in God, are familiar with God, church, and perhaps even the Bible; and yet, seem to lack faith in Jesus. What we see in Acts 13 as Paul preaches in Pisidian Antioch is that the gospel confronts religious familiarity and saves through faith in Jesus. From this passage, and Paul's example, we learn how to pursue the religious in our own lives.

It's Easter, so let’s get back to the basics: the gospel. Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 15 that the good news of Jesus—His death for our sins, his burial, and resurrection—is the foundation of our faith. And this gospel doesn’t just inform us; it saves, transforms, and empowers us.

Many people today are skeptical of the church—and often for good reason. Experiences of hypocrisy, pride, and empty religion have left many disillusioned, even walking away. But Jesus isn’t surprised by that. In Matthew 23, He confronts religious hypocrisy head-on and exposes its root. This sermon explores not how to avoid hypocrisy, but rather how it is that hypocrites are actually changed. The only cure for hypocrisy is not trying harder, but drawing nearer to Jesus.

The first verse of our passage sets the scene as religious leaders plot to trap Jesus with clever questions designed to stump Him, discredit Him, and back Him into a theological corner. As Jesus navigates their traps, even asking a few questions of His own, we (along with the religious leaders) are confronted with the truth of Jesus' identity, which demands a response. Jesus, the Son of David, is the Son of God. Respond accordingly.

We all have something on our calendars that is immovable—something which everything else conforms around. Additionally, there are things in this life we dress up for! In the Parable of the Wedding Feast, Jesus wants you to receive the invitation to the Wedding feast, clear your calendar, and get appropriately dressed. You can either refuse grace and receive judgment; OR, receive grace and refuse presumption. There really isn't an in-between.

You can either reject the Son and lose the kingdom; or, receive Him and steward it. SUMMARY (for Podcast sermon description): We all carry various responsibilities: jobs, families, church—the list goes on and on. In Matthew 21:33-46, Jesus teaches us something about kingdom responsibility. The Parable of the Tenants, from one angle, is a parable about the religious leaders rejecting Jesus, the Son of God. From another angle, it's a parable about kingdom responsibility or stewardship. It's a parable that forces non-Christians to ask: 'What do I make of Jesus?' and Christians to ask: 'What do I make of my life—how am I stewarding the kingdom responsibility that's been given to me?' You can either reject the Son and lose the kingdom; or, receive Him and steward it. There really isn't an in-between.

Jesus inspects for obedient fruit from surrendered faith—not empty profession.

Matthew 21:1–17 makes it clear that Jesus is the long-awaited Savior King from the line David that God had promised to send to His people. The text also confronts us with two important questions: 1) What kind of Savior King do you believe Him to be? 2) How does this line up with the kind of Savior King that Jesus says He is?

Jesus' compassion demands a response.

The way into the kingdom is the way on in the kingdom.

Do not begrudge the generosity of God; instead, behold the Master who counts the last as first

You can’t save yourself, so humbly trust and treasure Jesus, the only One who can.

Seek first the kingdom in marriage; seek first the kingdom in singleness

Set no limit for forgiveness.

Because of indwelling sin, we walk toward holiness together.

Our sovereign God faithfully fulfills His promises and calls us into His restorative work.

As you wait the return of Jesus, serve Jesus by serving those He calls "the least."

Be watchful and working as you wait for Christ's return.

Be ready so you don't have to get ready.