Main text: Matthew 18:1-4 (ESV) 1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Preaching Point: We must remember that in God’s House, the greatest are not ranked by their accolades or how fast they climb the ladder, but by how much they humble themselves in the name of Christ.

Teaching Points:

1. Stop Thinking You’re Better Than the Next Christian (V. 1)
2. Understand the Terms for Joining God’s Household (VV. 2-3)
3. Excel in Displaying Christlike Humility (V. 4)

Main text: Matthew 17:24-27 (ESV) 24 When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax went up to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the tax?” 25 He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?” 26 And when he said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are free. 27 However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.”

Preaching Point: Our identities in Christ should empower us to stand up for biblical principles while humbly setting aside our own preferences for the sake of the gospel.

Teaching Points:

1. Recognize Your Privileges in Christ (VV. 24-26)
2. Concede Your Preferences (V. 27)

Main Text: Matthew 17:14–23 (ESV) 14 And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and, kneeling before him, 15 said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he has seizures and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. 16 And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.” 17 And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” 22 As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, 23 and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were greatly distressed.

Preaching Point: We must counter any lack of faith on our part by remembering that even the smallest measure of faith, empowered by God, is sufficient to accomplish anything He wants us to do!

Teaching Points:

1. Stop Downplaying Your Lack of Faith (vv. 14-18)
2. Resolve to Act According to Your Faith in God’s Revealed Will (vv. 19-20)
3. Pray for a Faith that Perseveres (vv. 22-23)

If you notice, I did not dive into textual criticism as much during the podcast as I thought I would, but below you will find more content than you can intake that will be helpful for you through the weeks, months, and years to come! Dive in and enjoy!

Resources on the reliability of scripture and textual criticism:

Video Resources:

1. Can I trust the Bible? - Dr Robert Plummer (6 min)
2. Why do the footnotes in my Bible say, "Some manuscripts say..."? - Dr Robert P. (5 min)
3. Is the Bible we have what the original authors even wrote? - Wes Huff (30...

Main Text: Matthew 17:1–13 (ESV) 1 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. 3 And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 And Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and have no fear.” 8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. 9 And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.” 10 And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” 11 He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. 12But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

Preaching Point: We must strongly uphold our affirmation of Jesus’ identity as the Son of God while insisting that the Messianic Age has already started!

Teaching Points:

1. See Jesus for Who He Really is (vv. 1-3)
2. Insist on Jesus’ Divine Identity (vv. 4-8)
3. Distinguish the Phases of Jesus’ Mission (vv. 9-13)

Title: The Fruits of Grace: Goodness

Main Text: Galatians 5:16-26 (ESV) 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Preaching Point: Resolve to display the Holy Spirit’s fruit of goodness in every arena of your life.

Teaching Points:

1. Grasp The Greatness of God’s Goodness
2. By God’s Power: Resolve to do Good

Main Text: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (ESV) 13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

Preaching Point: Fulfill your life's purpose by fearing God and obeying His commandments, while keeping the final judgment in view.

Teaching Points:

1. Make Fearing God a Non-Negotiable (v. 13a)
2. Make Obedience a Non-Negotiable (v. 13b)
3. Live in light of Your Final Evaluation (v. 14)

Main Text: Matthew 16:24–28 (ESV) 24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

Preaching Point: Every Christian must willingly accept the costs associated with following Jesus, knowing that the sacrifices made in this life pale in comparison to the benefits of eternity in God’s Kingdom.

Teaching Points:

1. Ask: Am I Really Following Jesus? V24
2. Soberly Evaluate the High Price of Living for Yourself vv25-26
3. Live with Your Final Recompense in Mind vv27-28

Title: The King’s Authority and World Opposition: The King of the Unstoppable Kingdom

Text: Matthew 16:13–20 (ESV)

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

Main Point: To make a real difference for God’s Kingdom, deepen your love for Him first.

Teaching Points:

1. Love God for Who He is (vv. 13-17)
2. Love God as You Serve Him (vv. 18-19)
3. Love God as You Wait (v. 20)